Los Angeles may be synonymous with celebrity, rock stars and glamor. But the City of Angels is also a hot spot for universities and colleges with about 230 higher learning institutions located in the Greater Los Angeles Area. That’s significantly more than any other urban center in the United States. So when it comes to renting a charter bus and visiting college and university campuses with student groups, where should you get started?
This handy guide to Los Angeles college campus bus tours will break down everything you need to know about renting a charter bus, planning your trip and visiting some of the better known universities and colleges of LA. Help the passion of students come alive with a charter bus rental from Bus.com for your university campus tour!
Factors to Consider when Booking a Charter Bus Rental for Campus Tours
Whether it’s for a sporting event, an academic conference, an educational field trip or to get a preview of daily life on campus, there are a number of key factors to consider when booking a charter bus rental for a college or university visit. The number of students, time of year, schedule and presence of chaperones will help determine what type of Los Angeles charter bus rental best suits your needs. Once you have all the information, our booking experts can help you make the right decision.
Group Size
To a large degree, the number of passengers including students, teachers, coaches, parents or professors will help determine the optimal charter bus rental for your college or university campus tour. Whether the group size is small or large, Bus.com will always find the best transportation solutions. Let’s take a preview of some of the available charter bus types and how they can serve you.
Perhaps you are organizing a Los Angeles charter bus rental for a debate team or another student club that comprises about 10 to 20 individuals. In this case, a minibus which can transport up to 21 passengers or a sprinter van for up to 15 should prove sufficient. However, for medium sized groups in the range of 20 to 32 passengers, you’ll definitely enjoy the extra space and luxury offered by a mini coach bus rental.
Finally, for larger groups of more than 30 or so passengers, you could opt for a budget-friendly charter school bus that accommodates up to 47 passengers or the more deluxe option of a full-sized coach bus that can comfortably transport up to 55 passengers per vehicle. For larger groups, multiple charter buses may be required.
Time of Year
Although taking a group on a college or university campus tour during Spring Break might make a lot of sense in terms of student availability, off-season charter bus rentals tend to be cheaper due to less demand. Of course, if you’re taking a student group to a particular event, there will not be much flexibility with regard to dates. If the timing of your campus tour is flexible, however, we can provide several cost-effective suggestions for Los Angeles shuttle services.
Mapping Out an Itinerary
College and university campuses are sprawling places that take quite some time to tour. If your students are not attending a specific event and only want to feel out the campus vibe, we recommend visiting up to two campuses per day. By the time students board, deboard, visit and board the Los Angeles charter bus rental again, several hours can easily pass by. If your student group would like to visit upwards of three campuses, we advise blocking out the necessary days for these visits. Just remember, the more you can streamline your itinerary, the better pricing we can offer. Nevertheless, Bus.com always goes the extra mile to accommodate any last minute scheduling changes with our 24/7 customer support service.
Plan for Chaperones
While having chaperones to accompany any student group is always advisable, it will be absolutely necessary if minors are on board. Beyond the benefits of having an adult presence in the case of an emergency, most colleges and universities actually require chaperones for guided campus student tours. Especially if the passengers are teenagers, at least two adult chaperones can help keep the journey on a level-headed course in the case of extreme rowdiness.
Los Angeles Charter Bus Rentals for Students
As mentioned, there are five different charter bus rental options we can provide depending on the size of the student group, your budget, the distances traveled and the number of stops along the way. From the sleek sprinter van to the full-sized coach bus, we can arrange ground transportation in Los Angeles for just a few people up to several thousand. Here is a quick breakdown of the various charter bus rentals available in our versatile fleet.
Los Angeles Coach Bus Rentals
If you’re planning a group visit to a college or university campus, consider a coach bus rental for your transportation needs. Our coach buses represent the epitome of luxury and are perfect for longer trips with multiple stops. Los Angeles coach bus rentals will be especially welcome if you are visiting two or more campuses in one day.
Each coach bus can accommodate up to 55 passengers who want to travel in style and comfort. Equipped with modern amenities like a pristine onboard restroom, air conditioning, and ample space for luggage, our charter coach bus rental option ensures that everyone feels like a VIP. Whether it’s for a campus tour or a field trip, renting a coach bus is an excellent way to transport your student group with ease.
Los Angeles Mini Coach Bus Rentals
Los Angeles mini coach bus rentals are also popular for university or college campus tours. Despite their relatively smaller size, mini coach buses are both practical and cost-effective, while still providing similar amenities to their larger counterpart, the full-size coach bus. These perks include luxury seating, modern audio-visual equipment, air conditioning, power outlets, abundant storage and Wi-Fi.
Each mini coach bus can accommodate 32-40 passengers and can deftly navigate both shorter and longer trips. So, if you’re looking for a touch of luxury without the need for all the additional space of a coach bus, a mini coach bus rental is an ideal option. To learn more about prices for Los Angeles mini coach bus rentals, you can contact us directly or use our online booking tool.
Los Angeles Minibus Rentals
If you’re traveling with a smaller student group of up to 21 individuals, a Los Angeles minibus rental provides both convenience and comfort. Both compact and budget-friendly, a minibus is ideal for short to medium distance trips around The Big Orange while still offering luxury seating, a delightful audio-visual entertainment system, air conditioning and power outlets. Indeed, a charter minibus rental offers stylish ground transportation for a smaller group on their way to attend an event or visit university or college campuses in LA.
Los Angeles School Bus Rentals
If you’re planning a campus tour with a larger student group, a Los Angeles school bus rental may indeed represent the most logical transportation solution. Although a school bus may not offer the same types of amenities as other charter buses in our fleet, they are no doubt the most economical. And what’s more fitting than a group of students traveling in a school bus? Ideal for shorter trips without the need for supreme luxury, each charter school bus can nonetheless transport up to 47 passengers in comfort and ease.
Los Angeles Sprinter Van Rentals
A sprinter van rental is the smallest charter bus option for your tour of Los Angeles college and university campuses. A charter sprinter van accommodates up to 15 passengers and also features perks like power outlets and a standard van-sized trunk for light storage. Some Los Angeles sprinter van rentals even come with Wi-Fi connectivity so students can get a little work done or stream a movie during their journey. Perfect for shorter distances, all passengers will be nice and cozy with the services of a professional driver.
Popular College and University Campuses for Student Visits
Delving into the ins and outs for every college and university campus in the Greater Los Angeles would be a gargantuan task. What follows instead is a short synopsis of some of the most popular and iconic higher learning institutions found in Los Angeles that student groups are likely to visit. Whether it’s for a specific event or just to get a taste for campus life, our charter bus rentals will take your students where they need to go hassle-free, while removing a lot of the guesswork.
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is just one of 23 campuses that make up this enormous institution. While Cal State LA has gained recognition for its pioneering Chicano Studies Department, it also attracts a large number of students who wish to pursue their academic interests in business, education, nursing and fine arts. To explore the nearby University Hills neighborhood, you can hop on a 15-minute bus ride. Remember to book a charter bus rental for your tour group ahead of time to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
The largest private Catholic university on the West Coast, Loyola Marymount University is a favored destination for students seeking a campus atmosphere that merges academic and spiritual life. Its engineering and entrepreneurship programs have earned high rankings in the US, making LMU a cardinal option for aspiring innovators. Guided tours are available for groups of 10-15 students only, so larger groups should be prepared to divide into two or more. Although LMU is only a stone’s throw from the Los Angeles International Airport, it’s about an hour’s drive from downtown LA.
Otis College of Art and Design (OCAD)
If you’re planning a visit to LMU by charter bus, you can also consider a visit to Otis College of Art and Design, which is just in the vicinity. OCAD boasts a renowned fine arts program, attracting aspiring creatives who are eager to gain hands-on experience and hone their skills. Whether students are interested in painting, sculpture, digital media, graphic design, or any other art form, OCAD offers the resources required to excel in their chosen craft.
If you want to get a closer look at what OCAD has to offer, you can arrange for a group tour upon request. A campus tour is a fantastic opportunity to meet with faculty members and current students, learn about the programs and courses offered, and explore the campus to get a sense of the vibrant artistic community that exists at OCAD.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
University of California, Los Angeles is a world-famous institution renowned for achievements in many fields. Notably, UCLA has produced 14 Nobel Laureates and 13 MacArthur Fellows. As noted for its sports culture as its academic prowess, the UCLA Bruins have clinched over 11 NCAA basketball championships between 1964 and 1995. Additionally, UCLA houses both the Anderson School of Management and the David Geffen School of Medicine. UCLA offers guided and self-guided tour options, but be sure to reserve your charter bus rental as far in advance as possible.
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Mount Saint Mary University offers a serene campus located in proximity to Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park. Originally established by nuns, The Mount remains a prominent women’s college with highly-regarded programs in nursing, sociology, pre-health and biology. Additionally, The Mount offers flexible evening and weekend programs in fields such as business, social work and film. To reach The Mount’s campus, consider a charter bus rental for a 45-minute ride from downtown Los Angeles. Campus tours are available on most Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Woodbury University
Woodbury University has been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and provides numerous community-oriented programs. With campuses located in Burbank and San Diego, we recommended allotting two days for a full tour of Woodbury University’s dual locations. Don’t forget to make time for WUHO Gallery, which showcases outstanding student artwork. To tour Woodbury’s Burbank campus, you can charter a bus for a 30-minute ride, while it’s advisable to opt for a comfortable coach bus rental for a two-and-a-half-hour ride to visit the San Diego site.
University of Southern California (USC)
University of Southern California’s campus provides a picturesque setting that makes it worthy of a movie set, as evidenced by its appearance in several Hollywood blockbusters. However, the appeal of USC’s campus extends well beyond its palm trees and distinctive architecture. USC boasts a prominent athletics department, for example, that has produced more Olympic athletes than any other institution in the United States.
Additionally, USC is home to several star academic programs, including the Marshall School of Business, Rossier School of Education and Gould School of Law. For individuals who are more interested in the campus’s art and architecture, however, USC also offers specialized tours that focus more on these aspects than campus life. USC’s proximity to downtown LA, just a 15-minute drive away, makes it easily accessible via charter bus rental.
The Los Angeles Film School
Of course, Tinseltown wouldn’t be complete without an institution focused on training future movie-makers. For students with aspirations of making it big in the film industry, a visit to the Los Angeles Film School is highly recommended. Conveniently situated in the heart of Hollywood, the LA Film School faculty boasts renowned A-list instructors who are sure to ignite the creative spark in the next generation of filmmakers. LA Film School can easily be reached via a 30-minute charter bus ride from downtown Los Angeles. Make it a day full of silver screen excitement by including a tour of the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Los Angeles City College (LACC)
Situated in Little Armenia just a 20-minute charter bus ride away from the downtown area, Los Angeles City College may not be as widely known as other the higher learning institutions we’ve mentioned, but it nevertheless offers exceptional vocational programs definitely worth considering. The radiography program is highly sought after, while the dental technology program is top-ranked in the field. Moreover, the music department has helped produce many notable artists. LACC caters to career-focused students and offers budget-friendly tuition, making it a great option for those seeking career advancement.
Booking a Charter Bus Rental for Students and Campus Tours
In conclusion, visiting the many universities and colleges in Los Angeles can be a rather daunting task, but with careful planning and a reliable charter bus rental, it can be a fun and exciting experience for all – students and chaperones alike. When considering booking a charter bus rental for a college or university tour, factors such as group size, time of year, and the itinerary should be taken into account.
Bus.com offers a variety of charter bus rental options to fit any budget or group size, from sprinter vans to full-sized coach buses. With modern amenities such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, ample luggage space and customizable onboard technology, our charter buses offer a comfortable and convenient way to transport student groups wherever they need to go in Los Angeles. Book your charter bus rental today with Bus.com!
