General rules are the rules that fall into the "common sense" category of partying on a bus. Basically, these are rules that shouldn't have to be stated, but they are anyway. Not adhering to these rules will usually result in the immediate cancellation of your trip, sometimes without a refund.

Some examples of general party bus rules that you will most likely come across during your search are:

• No guns or any other types of weapons on board the party bus.
• No smoking is allowed on the party bus.
• No illegal drugs are permitted on the party bus.
• No tampering with any of the electronics or accessories on the party bus.
• No underage drinking is permitted (this will be covered in more detail in our blog about drinking rules on party buses).

Some other general rules might not be so obvious. Some companies may restrict the use of glitter or confetti in their buses since party favors like those tend to be a hassle to clean up at the end of a drive. Others might prevent kegs from being used on the bus or include a rule stating that the driver has the right to deny anyone entry on to the party bus.

​These rules vary from company to company so you should make sure you read your contract carefully. If you have any questions about them, don't hesitate to ask your salesperson as they almost always have a reason for enforcing all of their rules. That reason will usually be based on a previous negative experience with a customer.
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Safety should be the number one priority of the party bus company you select. Having fun should be the second. This may seem counter-productive to your goal of having a fun time, but you have to remember that your life is in the hands of your driver. A driver should always prioritize the safety of his passengers over anything else.

In 2017, buses were involved in 3,017 crashes in the state of Texas. 17 of those crashes involved fatalities and 60 of those crashes involved serious injuries.

When researching party bus companies, you want to be sure that they only employ CDL (Commercial Drivers License)-holding drivers. This is not only because it is illegal for anyone other than a CDL-holding driver to operate a bus, but also because those drivers know how to inspect the vehicle they are driving before they take it out on the road. This necessary pre-trip inspection isn't something required of drivers carrying a regular drivers license.

​With a CDL-holding driver operating your party bus, you know you are in good hands.

For passengers, the most common safety rule is to avoid moving around the vehicle while it is in motion. Again, this is something that should be fairly obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people like to walk around the bus while it is going 60mph down the highway.
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Now comes the fun part. What are the rules when reserving a party bus? Every party bus company will have different rules, but usually, these rules are in place to ensure that the company is able to stay in business. You will want to carefully review this section of your contract before you book with a party bus company.

Of course, you should carefully read the entire contract before you book with a party bus company, but the reservation rules will be particularly important since they pertain to your deposit and the company's cancellation fee.

Most party bus companies will require some sort of deposit (usually non-refundable) when reserving one of their buses. This deposit is usually to cover overhead costs for the company. You see, when you make a reservation, the company is unable to book the bus you choose to another party during your time block (and, in some cases, for the whole day/night).

If you cancel at the last minute, it is unlikely that the company will be able to re-book the bus for the date you canceled. A non-refundable deposit is essentially a show of confidence that you will keep your end of the bargain in the exchange of services.

Another thing to consider is the possible reasons for delays or cancellations that are out of the control of both the renter and the party bus company. Factors could include weather, mechanical issues and traffic conditions. Usually, in the case of things like that, the party bus company isn't liable and thus the customer is not entitled to a refund. There will usually be a line item for these types of instances in your contract.
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All of the information on party bus rules included in this article will assist you when you are booking a party bus, but here are some additional suggestions to keep in mind when doing your research:

1. If you are unsure of anything, ASK.
2. ALWAYS read the contract/rental agreement thoroughly.
3. Ask if all of the drivers have their CDLs. If they don't, then don't book that company!
4. Upon booking, ask for the driver to contact you the day of your trip so you have a way to keep in touch with him throughout the day/night.
5. Make sure you are reserving a sufficient time block. Travel time for buses is about 1/3 longer than a car so you will want to account for that.

Ninja Buses will always bring top level, CDL-holding drivers and committed to safety to your bachelor party, so all you have to worry about is how good a time you want to have.
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​For a complete list of Ninja Buses' rates, simply visit their website here.

Do you want to have the best bachelor party bus in Austin, Texas, but are unsure about rental options or the rates? Or are you unsure that a party bus is even the best option for your bachelor/bachelorette party?

With a party bus, you are guaranteed to have the ultimate bachelor party experience that can't be replicated using a traditional rideshare service. You can plan a route yourself or, if you're from out of town and aren't sure of the hot spots in the area, a party bus company can help you plan a route based on your interests.

The first thing that comes to mind when booking a party bus, however, is cost.
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Party bus companies include a variety of amenities that are making them the most attractive transportation options available.

Not only will you get one amazing party bus driven by a CDL (Commercial Drivers License)-holding driver to keep your group safe and sound, but you'll usually get:

• A killer sound system
• Flat-screen TVs
• An ambient and thematic interior
• Complimentary party-planning services (many party bus companies will plan out your entire experience if you desire)

Some companies even have a group host as an add-on. A host's job is to cater to your group throughout the night, keeping you entertained while also tidying up the bus a bit during stops.
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Due to the higher cost, many people may opt to use traditional rideshare services for their big night out, but we have learned that the party bus route is the way to go.

Why is that? Well, it's the only way to ensure that your entire group stays together!

Plus, party buses are BYOB, which means you have plenty of time to pre-game before reaching your destination and drinking (responsibly) between stops.

Booking a party bus also ensures that you always have a private place to relax as well.

Have you ever tried booking an Uber in downtown Austin on a Saturday night?

It can be quite chaotic, especially if you are trying to visit several different locations! Not only will you have different drivers at each stop, but you won't have a secure place to store your belongings.

With a party bus, you will have one dedicated and assured driver at every stop, along with a safe place to store your belongings. This makes for a more comfortable and convenient experience for your bachelor party.
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There are two main factors that can affect party bus rates, the most important of which is time.

Most party bus companies charge by the hour! To get the most out of your booking, it is important that your whole group be ready at the agreed-upon pick-up time so your party isn't delayed.

While some companies are usually able to accommodate last-minute trip extensions, that isn't always the case. Each company handles their scheduling differently, but if you schedule an 8-hour block beginning at noon one day, it would be reasonable to expect that the vehicle you have booked has another trip scheduled at 9 pm that night.

The second factor affecting party bus rates is the service charge, which is anywhere from 10% to 20% of your subtotal. There will usually be a line item on your invoice for something like this, but you will want to check and see what exactly that covers.

Usually, it is to cover fuel costs and routine maintenance, but some companies include the gratuity in that line items as well. It is important to see what that fee covers so you know if you need to tip your driver at the end of your trip!
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Party buses are usually rented by the hour, and rates can vary from anywhere between $50 per hour to $300 per hour, depending on the company and the chosen vehicle.

For example, the Austin-based party bus company Ninja Buses has six vehicles that usually* range in price from $125 per hour to $270 per hour. These fees are a flat rate and don't change no matter where you are going and no matter the time of day/night your trip is taking place!

That flexibility is something that sets them apart from other party bus companies in Austin because many of them have higher rates for weekend trips or trips that take place at night.

For a complete list of Ninja Buses' rates, simply visit their website here.

*Austin is a popular city with many special events that take place throughout the year. Because of this, there will be some dates that have excessive demands, thus increasing rates. Important events to remember are SXSW (usually during Spring Break every March), Austin City Limits (the first two weekends of October) and F1 (the last weekend of October).