Miami may be known for its nightclubs and beaches, but in truth, there is so much more to this Floridian city than that. Case in point: its abundance of higher academic institutions. From the University of Miami to Miami International Institute of Art & Design, there is a campus for every student, no matter their academic interests.
Whether one of your kids is starting to think about university or you’re organizing a field trip for graduating high schoolers, the best way for them to weigh out their options is to load them and their peers onto a charter bus rental. Time for a Miami university campus bus tour!
Decide on your group size
Depending on how many students are interested in a university campus tour around Miami, there are a few things that you’ll want to keep in mind in terms of group transportation and visits.
Less than 10 people
If your tour group is just a handful of people, opt for a minibus or sprinter van rental. A minibus rentals typically runs at $98/hour and seats 21 people, and has the option of extra features that you probably want to consider, like air conditioning. In the middle of a Miami heatwave, you’ll be glad you have A/C.
10 to 29 people
For smaller groups, a mini coach bus would suit you just fine. A mini coach bus typically costs $475–$900/day and seats up to 32 people. If you’re feeling fancy, you even have the option to request additional amenities like air conditioning and a DVD/TV setup.
30 people or more
For larger groups, a school bus rental or coach bus rental would best accommodate your students. A school bus costs $81/hour and seats up to 47 people, whereas a coach bus costs $115/hour and seats up to 55 people. If you divide the cost of the bus between all bus riders, you’ll find that a coach bus won’t set you back that much more than a school bus. And if you’re on the road for an entire day or weekend, trust us – a comfy coach bus with all the works (A/C, DVD player, reclining seats) is hands-down the way to go.
Plan for chaperones
It’s important to keep in mind that since you’ll be travelling with students under the age of 18, the presence of chaperones will be required throughout your Miami campus tour experience. While university campus tours tend to be rather tame, at the end of the day it’s always best to have adult supervision to keep an eye on minors. We recommend having at least two chaperones per bus.
Decide on when to visit
No matter which time of year you organize your campus visits, Miami and its weather is always beautiful. However, what you should keep in mind when planning your Miami university campus tours is whether or not classes will be in session. To get an accurate portrayal of campus life, we recommend planning your visit during late summer or early September. Many universities and colleges start classes mid-August, so future students can get a better sense of whether or not they can see themselves studying in that environment.
Map out your itinerary
Academia has a larger presence in Miami than you probably would have guessed. Read through our suggested list of universities and colleges in and surrounding Miami to plan out your university campus bus tour itinerary. Some of these are located a bit outside of Miami, but are entirely accessible with a group bus rental.
University of Miami
Located near the very core of downtown Miami, University of Miami offers a variety of different schools and programs. They’re well recognized for their School of Architecture, College of Arts and Sciences, Business School, School of Communication, School of Engineering, and their specialized Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. UM also upholds a respectable reputation in student athletics. Go Hurricanes!
Miami Dade College
Marketing themselves as an ‘affordable’ collegiate option, Miami Dade College offers in-class programs as well as virtual options. They offer everything from Architecture and Interior Design to Nursing to Aviation to Business programs, attracting students with all sorts of different academic interests. They’re located in the heart of the city, promising to give any student an exciting university experience.
Miami International Institute of Art & Design
For students who want to hone their creative and design skills, Miami International Institute of Art & Design could be their answer. Offering programs in Visual Design, Interior Design, Marketing, Animation & Effects, Film & Production, and Fashion, this is the be-all-end-all Miami institution for any aspiring creative mind.
Keiser University
If you want to take a bit of a drive outside of Miami, check out Keiser University. Located in Fort Lauderdale, this campus is situated just under an hour’s bus ride away from downtown Miami. Featuring various undergraduate programs, including Accounting, Cinematic Arts, Criminal Justice, Healthcare, Nursing, Psychology, and more, there’s likely to be a program to interest every student onboard your Miami university campus tour.
Florida Atlantic University
While its main campus is located in Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University also has five satellite campuses spread out throughout the state of Florida, including a location in Fort Lauderdale – only an hour’s bus ride from Miami. This institution offers plenty of different undergraduate programs and schools that draw students from all over the country, most notably the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters and their College of Business. If you’re a student athlete, you’re in good hands here. The FAU Owls sports teams are known for having brought home gold on a number of occasions, including winning the 2018 Conference USA-Regular Season Championship in Softball.
Now that you’ve got an idea of the universities you can visit in and around Miami, it’s time to gather your peers and book your charter bus rental. After all, the university you choose to attend will be the setting of four of the most formative years of your life – you should definitely make time to visit your future school beforehand!
