Coach & Minibus USA

Charter bus rental in Washington, DC

Most charter bus rental in Washington, DC is for school and tour groups on the National Mall. The loading rules there are strict. Learn them before you build the schedule.

Charter bus rental for National Mall school groups

Buses on the Mall may load only where a sign marks a drop-off or pick-up zone. Most National Park Service bus parking is in West Potomac Park, along Ohio Drive SW. The coach cannot circle outside the museum while students finish.

The motorcoach idling limit is three minutes, five at 32 degrees or below. Set a firm pickup time and zone for each stop, and have chaperones count heads before the bus arrives.

Setra 49-seat touring coach, exterior
Setra 49-seat touring coach, exterior

Airports serving Washington, DC

Stadiums and arenas

  • Nationals Park — Washington Nationals (MLB); Navy Yard
  • Capital One Arena — Capitals (NHL), Wizards (NBA), Georgetown basketball
  • Audi Field — D.C. United (MLS), Washington Spirit (NWSL)
  • CareFirst Arena — Washington Mystics (WNBA), Capital City Go-Go
  • Northwest Stadium — Washington Commanders (NFL); Landover, MD

Day trips and intercity runs from Washington, DC

  • Mount Vernon, VA — about 18 miles, 35-50 min
  • Annapolis, MD — about 30 miles, 45-75 min
  • Baltimore Inner Harbor — about 37 miles, 1-1.5 hr
  • Gettysburg, PA — about 80 miles, 2-2.5 hr
  • Philadelphia — about 135 miles, 3-3.5 hr
  • Colonial Williamsburg, VA — about 155 miles, 3-4 hr

Rules for buses in Washington, DC

  • Motorcoach idling limit 3 minutes; 5 minutes at 32°F or below.
  • Union Station bus deck has 32 spaces; only reservations are guaranteed.
  • No charter pick-up/drop-off in front of Union Station.
  • National Mall loading only in signed drop-off/pick-up zones.
  • NPS bus parking is mainly on Ohio Drive SW, West Potomac Park.

Union Station and Capitol Hill

Charter buses may not load in front of Union Station. Use the bus deck instead. It has 32 spaces, but a space is guaranteed only with a reservation. Capitol Hill stops, such as the Capitol Visitor Center and the Library of Congress, need a planned drop and a separate pickup.

DCA, Dulles and BWI

Dulles charter buses hold in the Cell Phone Lot, then load on the Arrivals level, Doors 4 and 5. The operator submits a Charter Bus Form 24 hours ahead, and buses cannot be left unattended at the curb. Reagan National requires a reservation for limo and sedan pickups.

BWI is about 32 miles away. Allow for that drive when you pick flights.

Day trips: Mount Vernon, Gettysburg and Williamsburg

Mount Vernon and Annapolis are under 90 minutes; Baltimore's Inner Harbor about the same. Gettysburg takes 2 to 2.5 hours. Colonial Williamsburg runs three to four hours each way, so most groups stay overnight.

Conventions at Mount Vernon Square and National Harbor

Mount Vernon Square is home to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, while the Gaylord National Resort is out at National Harbor, Maryland. If your group sleeps near one and meets at the other, plan a shuttle loop, not a single run.

Questions

Can the bus wait on the National Mall while students tour a museum?

No. Buses load only in signed zones and park mainly on Ohio Drive SW. Plan a pickup time for each stop.

Do we need a reservation for the Union Station bus deck?

Only reservations are guaranteed a space. Without one, the bus may have nowhere to wait.

How late can we add a Dulles pickup?

Send flight details more than a day out. A Charter Bus Form has to be filed by the operator 24 hours ahead.

Can we pick up at Union Station's front entrance?

No. Charter pickups and drop-offs are not allowed there.

Trip types we arrange

Vehicles

Plan a Washington, DC charter

Send the itinerary stop by stop. We quote a coach and driver that fits the Mall rules.

Request a quote or call 15722344442