Sprinter Van
≈ 8–15 ridersThe bridal party between a Back Mountain ceremony and photos by the river, or a visiting leadership team picked up at AVP with carry-ons.
Luzerne County · Wyoming Valley · NEPA
Charter Bus Rental in Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre groups rarely travel in a straight line. A Penguins night starts at an Arena-area hotel, a commencement weekend splits between downtown and the Back Mountain, and a parish day trip collects riders on both banks of the Susquehanna before anyone reaches I-81. Charter Buses USA plans the whole movement — pickups, bridges, curbside drop, the ride home — and pairs it with a professionally driven charter bus, minibus, shuttle or Sprinter van sized to your real headcount.
Tell us who is riding, where they board and when they need to be seated. You get a vehicle recommendation and a written quote, any hour of the day.
- 8–56seats per vehicle, with multi-bus plans for larger groups
- ~10 mifrom Public Square to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP)
- 24/7quotes and reservations by phone or online form
- 7vehicle classes, from Sprinter vans to full-size coaches
Start with the map, not the bus
Which Side of the River Is Your Group Boarding?
Wilkes-Barre is the county seat of Luzerne County and the center of the Wyoming Valley, a city of roughly 44,000 people with a far larger region leaning on it for work, school and nights out. The Susquehanna splits that region in two. Most Wilkes-Barre group transportation questions — how early to roll, how many pickups one bus can absorb, which bridge to use — come down to which bank your riders start on.
Before we price a single mile, our planners sort your pickup addresses by side of the river and by direction along the valley. It is the fastest way to spot a route that looks short on a map but eats forty minutes of stop-and-go before the trip begins.
East bank: the city side
Public Square · River Street · Route 315Downtown Wilkes-Barre wraps around Public Square, with the F.M. Kirby Center on the square and both Wilkes University and King's College a short walk up River Street. Head southeast and the city gives way to Wilkes-Barre Township, Plains and the Highway 315 corridor where the arena, the casino and most of the big chain hotels sit.
- Best for: campus pickups, downtown hotels, Kirby Center shows, Arena and casino runs.
- Highway access: I-81 and the Turnpike's Northeast Extension are both on this side, so long-distance coaches usually stage here.
- Watch for: class-change foot traffic on River Street and event-night queues on Highland Park Boulevard.
- Related: college and university charters, hotel shuttles.
West bank: the West Side & Back Mountain
Kingston · Forty Fort · Dallas · LehmanCross the Market Street Bridge and you are in Kingston, then Forty Fort, Edwardsville and Swoyersville — dense, residential towns where churches, schools and VFW halls make natural gathering points. Climb the hill beyond and you reach the Back Mountain: Shavertown, Dallas with Misericordia University, Lehman with Penn State Wilkes-Barre, and Harveys Lake.
- Best for: parish and school pickups, Back Mountain weddings, lake-house events.
- Timing: add the bridge crossing and the climb on Route 309 or 415 to every run toward the interstates.
- Watch for: narrow side streets in the river towns — a church parking lot often beats curbside.
- Related: church group buses, wedding transportation.
Up the valley ↗
Plains, Wyoming, Exeter, Pittston, Avoca and Moosic run north toward Scranton. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport sits between the two cities, so airport groups and RailRiders outings at PNC Field usually head this way.
Down the valley ↘
Hanover Township, Ashley, Plymouth and Nanticoke — home of Luzerne County Community College — trail south, with Mountain Top and Hazleton up the ridge on Route 309. Down-valley pickups pair naturally with trips headed for I-80 and the Poconos.
2–3
Our rule of thumb for Wyoming Valley pickups: two or three stops per bus, ideally on the same bank. Past that, the first riders spend more time circling the valley than travelling. When a group is spread across both sides, a second, smaller vehicle often costs less than the extra service hours — and nobody boards an hour early.
Notes from Public Square
Downtown Wilkes-Barre Bus Logistics, From People Who Have Circled the Square
Public Square is the valley's front door, and nearly every group names it as a meeting point because everyone knows where it is. That is exactly the problem. The square is a one-way loop around a central green, its curbs are shared with city transit buses, delivery trucks and rideshare pickups, and the Kirby Center's marquee draws its own crowd on show nights. "Meet at Public Square" is not an address a driver can stop at.
So we get specific. Every downtown pickup on a Wilkes-Barre quote names a side of the square or a cross street, and a backup point a block away if the first curb is blocked. Your riders get a sentence they can actually follow: "North side, in front of the bank, look for the white coach."
The best downtown pickup is the one your least-organized rider can find without calling anyone.
Festival days change the map
Each spring the Fine Arts Fiesta takes over the square, and parade days close streets around it. Summer brings concerts to the River Common along River Street. None of that stops a charter, but it moves the curb. When your date lines up with a downtown event, we check the closures and shift the pickup to a side street or a campus lot instead of finding out at 7 a.m.
Downtown hotel or Highway 315?
Downtown hotels put visitors within walking distance of the Kirby Center, the campuses and the restaurants around the square, which suits conference guests and wedding parties who want an evening on foot. The chain hotels along Highway 315 near the arena have big parking lots where a full-size coach can stage and load luggage without blocking traffic. If your group is split between the two, plan a short shuttle link rather than asking one coach to work both.
The river is a destination, not a road
The levee trail runs for miles along the Susquehanna past Kirby Park, Nesbitt Park and the River Common, and it is a favorite for reunions, school picnics and charity walks. Buses cannot drive onto the levee, so we identify the nearest lot or street drop and how far riders will walk from it. For a family reunion with older relatives, that walking distance can decide the whole site.
Private lots need permission
Large retail lots around the Wyoming Valley Mall and the arena look like perfect park-and-ride spots, and sometimes they are — with the owner's approval. We ask before we publish a lot as a meeting point, because nothing derails a morning faster than a security guard waving the bus away while forty people stand by their cars.
Wilkes-Barre bus rental, sized honestly
Slide to Your Headcount, See the Bus That Fits
Count everyone who will sit down — riders, chaperones, coaches, the photographer, the person holding the clipboard. Then drag the slider. The suggestion below is where our Wilkes-Barre planners usually start; luggage, sports gear, wheelchairs and trip length can move you up a size, and we will say so on the quote.
people
64080120160
Capacities are general planning ranges for each vehicle class. Exact seating, storage and amenities depend on the vehicle assigned to your date and are confirmed in writing.
Our starting point
One full-size charter bus
Forty to fifty-six seats with underfloor bays — the default for Philadelphia and New York day trips, school travel and teams with gear.
Quote this setupMini Bus
≈ 18–35 ridersCampus clubs leaving River Street, rehearsal-dinner guests crossing the bridge, or a brewery afternoon that ends safely back at the hotel.
Full-Size Charter Bus
≈ 40–56 ridersLong hauls to Philadelphia, New York or Hershey, team travel with equipment, and school trips where an onboard restroom can be requested.
Shuttle Bus
Varies by modelRepeat loops: Highway 315 hotels to a convention, commencement parking lots to campus, or a staff run between two valley sites.
Executive Coach
Varies by layoutClient visits and board retreats where the ride is part of the impression — plant tours, investor days, a lake-house offsite.
School Bus
Varies by modelShort, budget-minded hops: a Kirby Center matinee, a day at Frances Slocum State Park, or a youth program moving across the valley.
Party Bus
Varies by layoutMilestone birthdays and bachelorette nights where the ride is the party. Casino stops are 21+, so every rider needs valid ID.
Multi-Vehicle Plan
57+ ridersTwo coaches for a 90-person reunion, or a coach plus a minibus so one bank of the river is not waiting on the other.
Luggage changes the math. Twenty riders heading to a Back Mountain dinner fit easily in a minibus. Twenty riders landing at AVP with a suitcase each, or a wrestling team with duffels and a cooler, may need a full-size coach for the underfloor bays alone. Tell us what is coming along — instruments, strollers, sports bags, mobility aids — and we size for the cargo as carefully as the seats. Read how many bags fit under a charter bus if your group travels heavy.
Want the full spec comparison? Browse the complete vehicle lineup, read what size charter bus you need, or compare a charter bus versus a minibus and a minibus versus a Sprinter van before you decide.
Penguins games · concerts · shows
An Arena Night in Wilkes-Barre, Minute by Minute
Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township is home ice for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the valley's biggest room for touring concerts. Getting a group in is easy. Getting the same group out, counted and moving while thousands of cars leave I-81 at once is the part we plan for. Here is how a typical 7:05 p.m. puck drop runs when we pick up downtown.
- 5:40
Riders gather at the pickup
We publish a "be here" time twenty minutes before the bus leaves. Lobby time and roll time are never the same number.
- 5:55
Doors close, captain counts
Your group captain checks names against the list. The driver handles the vehicle, not attendance.
- 6:20
Drop at the agreed loading area
We confirm the bus unloading spot with the venue in advance rather than guessing at the busiest curb.
- 7:05
Puck drop
The coach repositions to its staging spot. It does not idle at the front door through three periods.
- 9:35
Final horn
Riders head for a named landmark — a gate number or a lit sign — not "wherever the bus is."
- 9:50
Count, then roll
A fifteen-minute regroup window beats chasing stragglers through the lot. Captain confirms, coach departs.
- 10:10
Back on Public Square
Seats checked for phones and jackets before the last rider steps off.
Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza
Close to I-81 in Wilkes-Barre Township, ringed by Highway 315 hotels. Groups staying nearby often prefer a short shuttle loop to one big departure. Event info: moheganarenapa.com.
F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square
A restored 1938 art deco theater right on the square. Matinee school groups and Broadway-tour nights both need a set drop point and a separate waiting spot. Show calendar: kirbycenter.org.
Mohegan Pennsylvania, Plains Township
The racino on Highway 315 is a 21-and-over floor, so check ID at boarding, not at the casino door. Popular for senior-center and club day trips — see our casino trip planning guide.
The same method works for every big night in the valley: a Kirby Center touring musical, a holiday show, a high school championship at the arena or a dinner-and-slots evening at the casino. Name the drop point, keep the bus off the front curb while the event runs, choose one landmark for the regroup and give it fifteen minutes. Groups that skip the landmark spend those fifteen minutes on the phone instead.
Times above are an illustrative plan, not a published schedule; event start times, venue loading rules and traffic vary. Need the bus to wait on site? Read whether a charter bus can wait during your event and our concert transportation guide, or book through our concert and festival service.
Group transportation, Wyoming Valley style
Six Wilkes-Barre Trip Files We Open Again and Again
Every request lands on our desk as a file: who, where, when, and the one detail that will make or break the day. These six are composites of the requests we see most from Luzerne County. Find the one closest to yours and you will know what to tell us first.
Student club to Philadelphia and back
- Riders
- 44 students and two advisors
- Board
- River Street, between the two downtown campuses
- Vehicle
- Full-size coach, restroom requested
The return leaves after an evening event, so the day can stretch long. We check driver hours against the full itinerary before quoting.
College & university charters →Back Mountain ceremony, hotel guests on Route 315
- Riders
- 96 guests plus a 10-person bridal party
- Board
- Two Highway 315 hotels
- Vehicle
- Two coaches + a Sprinter van
Guests cross the river and climb the hill, so the ceremony time is the end of the arrival, not the start. The Sprinter keeps photos off the guest timeline.
Wedding transportation →Senior and parish day trip with three pickups
- Riders
- 52 members, several with walkers
- Board
- Mountain Top, Hanover Township, Plains
- Vehicle
- Full-size coach, ADA lift asked for in writing
All three stops sit along one direction of travel, so nobody doubles back. Extra boarding minutes are built into each stop.
Church group buses →High school wrestlers headed to Hershey
- Riders
- Team, coaches, trainer — fans separate
- Board
- School lot, early morning
- Vehicle
- Coach for athletes, mini bus for families
Bracket results decide the return time. We quote a flexible window rather than a fixed clock time, and weigh bags against bay space. See separate buses for athletes and supporters.
Sports team charters →Visiting delegation lands at AVP
- Riders
- 18 executives with checked bags
- Board
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International
- Vehicle
- Executive coach for a 2-day program
Day one runs airport, plant tour, downtown hotel; day two runs meetings and a dinner across the river. Luggage rides along until check-in.
Corporate charter service →Shift shuttle for an I-81 warehouse
- Riders
- 30–70 per shift, varies by season
- Board
- Park-and-ride lot plus one city stop
- Vehicle
- Shuttle buses on a timed loop
Inbound and outbound demand rarely match at shift change. We test the route for a few weeks before anyone commits to a long schedule.
Employee shuttle services →These are illustrative planning examples, not client testimonials or fixed packages. Other Wilkes-Barre trips we arrange include school field trips, convention shuttles, group airport transfers, tour groups, government and military travel and private events. See every option on our group transportation page.
Five campuses, one valley
Charter Buses for Wyoming Valley Colleges
Few cities this size hold so many campuses within a short drive. Two sit downtown, two are up the Back Mountain and one is downriver — which means a single "college trip" can involve three very different curbs. Athletic departments, residence life, admissions offices and student clubs all book with us; each campus has its own gate rules, so we confirm the bus stop with your host office before the quote is final.
Downtown
Wilkes University
≈ walking distance from Public SquareUrban campus along the river. Clubs and teams usually board on a side street rather than River Street itself during class changes.
wilkes.edu ↗Downtown
King's College
North River StreetA few blocks north of the square. Good for combined trips with Wilkes groups — one coach, two short stops, same bank.
kings.edu ↗Back Mountain
Misericordia University
Dallas, ≈ 9 mi northwestNCAA Division III programs travel often. Allow for the river crossing and the climb when timing early departures toward the interstate.
misericordia.edu ↗Back Mountain
Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Lehman TownshipA rural commonwealth campus. Wide lots make boarding simple; the drive in is the long part, so pickups pair well with Dallas stops.
wilkesbarre.psu.edu ↗Downriver
Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, ≈ 8 mi southwestCommuter-heavy, so trips often add a second stop in the city. Down-valley location suits runs toward I-80 and the Poconos.
luzerne.edu ↗Athletic travel is where campus trips get complicated. Conference schedules put teams on the road midweek, rosters change after injuries, and equipment can outweigh the passengers. We hold a written roster count and a gear estimate on every college sports quote, and when two teams from the same school travel to the same venue we look at sharing one coach before booking two. Departments planning a full season can request a single quote covering every away date.
Away games
Coach plus gear bays for conference travel. Our college sports travel guide covers rosters and equipment.
Admitted student days
Timed loops from parking or hotels to the welcome tent — see admitted-student-day shuttles.
Move-in & homecoming
Overflow parking shuttles and alumni runs; read move-in weekend shuttles.
Commencement
Hotel blocks fill fast in May. Our graduation transport guide walks through family waves.
Day trips & long-distance charters
Where a Wilkes-Barre Charter Bus Can Take You, Sorted by Time in the Seat
Mileage tells you little in the Northeast; grades, tolls and city traffic decide the real clock. So we sort popular trips by approximate one-way drive time from Public Square in normal conditions. Use it to judge how much of the day your group will spend riding versus doing — and remember that boarding, rest stops and a city curb add to every number here. For trips that start elsewhere in the state, our Pennsylvania charter bus page covers the bigger picture.
Under 1 hrHalf-day friendly
Good for school buses, minibuses and evening outings.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International
Midway between the two cities in Avoca. Luggage counts matter more than distance. flyavp.com
Downtown Scranton
Steamtown National Historic Site and the coal mine tour make a classic field-trip pair.
PNC Field, Moosic
RailRiders baseball up the valley — summer evenings with a post-game regroup plan.
Frances Slocum State Park
A Luzerne County lake park for picnics, reunions and outdoor education days.
Pocono Raceway & Pocono resorts
Race weekends and indoor waterpark stays east toward Long Pond and Pocono Manor.
Route note
Ricketts Glen State Park
The Falls Trail passes 21 named waterfalls. State park guidance warns heavy units off the steep PA 487 climb from Red Rock, so coaches plan the northern approach. Park info
1–2 hrsClassic day trip
Mini bus or coach; restroom on longer legs is worth asking for.
Knoebels, Elysburg
Free-admission amusement park south of the valley — a summer favorite for church and camp groups.
Jim Thorpe
Victorian downtown and fall foliage weekends. Narrow streets, so we agree a drop spot ahead.
Lehigh Valley
Allentown and Bethlehem for arena shows, holiday markets and casino outings.
Williamsport
Little League World Series crowds every August; book early and plan parking with organizers.
Hershey & Harrisburg
Theme park, chocolate and the state Capitol — and the arena that hosts big statewide championships.
Binghamton, NY
Straight up I-81 across the state line. See our Binghamton charter bus page.
2–3+ hrsFull-day or overnight
Full-size coach territory; check driver hours before promising a late return.
Philadelphia
Museums, pro games and the Turnpike's Northeast Extension most of the way.
New York City
Broadway matinees and holiday trips. Read our New York City charter notes on drop zones.
Lancaster County
Amish Country tours and theater dinners for senior and church groups.
State College
Penn State game days — tailgate timing drives the whole schedule.
Gettysburg
Battlefield tours with licensed guides who can ride along on the coach.
Southern Tier & Finger Lakes
Wine and waterfall trips north; see Southern Tier NY.
Drive times are approximate and change with season, construction and events. Planning a long day? Read same-day return trip planning, theme parks for group trips and our Northeast fall foliage guide.
Real roads, real seasons
Mountains, Snow and a River: Planning Wilkes-Barre Trips Around the Weather
The Wyoming Valley floor is gentle; everything around it is not. Every route out of town climbs a ridge, and Northeastern Pennsylvania weather can change between the valley and the mountaintop on the same morning. We build these local realities into schedules so your departure time is honest from the start.
Winter on the ridges
December – MarchRoute 309 up to Mountain Top and the I-81 and I-80 grades can be snow-covered while downtown is just wet. We watch forecasts with you, pad winter schedules and talk through a go/no-go time the evening before. See our winter charter guide.
Foliage weekends
Late September – OctoberLeaf-peeping traffic packs state park lots and small-town streets around the valley. Weekday departures and early arrivals beat the crowds; we confirm motorcoach parking before promising a scenic stop.
River season
Spring melt & summer stormsThe city has lived behind its levee system since the Agnes flood of 1972. High water rarely affects charters, but riverfront events at the River Common and Kirby Park can shift, so we keep a backup meeting point on the plan.
Festival heat
June – AugustSummer concerts on the River Common, race weekends in the Poconos and the Little League World Series send traffic in every direction. Air-conditioned coaches, water on board and a shaded regroup spot keep long days comfortable.
10 / 15federal driver limits
Federal hours-of-service rules for passenger-carrying drivers allow up to 10 hours of driving after 8 consecutive hours off, inside a 15-hour on-duty window. A Wilkes-Barre-to-New-York theater day can brush that ceiling, which is why we review your full itinerary — not just the destination — before we quote. Details: FMCSA summary · live road conditions on 511PA · our guide to driver hours.
Check my itineraryCharter bus cost in Wilkes-Barre
What Moves the Price of a Wilkes-Barre Charter Bus
We don't publish a flat Wilkes-Barre rate because two trips with the same headcount can be priced very differently. Instead, here are the levers. Some sit in your hands; others are set by the calendar and the road. Knowing which is which is the quickest way to a fair number. For national ranges, see our charter bus rental pricing page.
Levers you control
Small decisions that change the quote immediately.
An honest headcount
Quoting 60 "just in case" can push you into two vehicles. A firm number keeps you in one right-sized bus.
Fewer, smarter pickups
Each extra stop adds boarding minutes and service time. One gathering point per bank of the river is the efficient default.
Wait on site or drop and return
A local Kirby Center or arena night may cost less as two transfers than as a bus held all evening. Longer trips usually work the other way.
A flexible day of the week
Saturdays in spring and fall are the most requested. A Friday or Sunday departure can open more vehicle options. Read the cheapest days to rent.
Amenities you truly need
Restroom, Wi-Fi, outlets and premium seats are worth requesting on long hauls — not necessarily on a 20-minute shuttle.
Factors set by the calendar and the road
You can't change these, but you can plan around them.
Peak local dates
May commencement weekends, prom season, foliage Saturdays and big arena nights all compete for the same vehicles. Booking early is the only real fix — see how far ahead to book.
Positioning miles
Pricing often counts the trip from where the vehicle is based, not just your pickup. Ask how your quote handles it.
Tolls and parking
The Turnpike's Northeast Extension, NYC crossings and city lots add real cost. Learn who pays for tolls.
Overnight driver lodging
Multi-day trips include a room for your driver. Here is how driver hotels are handled.
Fuel and season
Diesel prices and winter operating needs shift costs through the year — explained in how fuel affects charter prices.
Safety you can verify
Check Any Charter Bus Carrier in About Three Minutes
School boards, parish councils and HR departments in Luzerne County increasingly ask the same thing before they approve a trip: is this bus company legitimate? You shouldn't have to take anyone's word for it — ours included. Federal and state records are public, and checking them takes less time than reading a quote.
Charter Buses USA works with professionally operated vehicles and qualified commercial drivers. Our safety commitment explains how we vet and match operators. What we put in writing for every Wilkes-Barre booking:
- The vehicle class and passenger capacity you are paying for.
- An itinerary reviewed against driver hours-of-service limits.
- Any accessibility equipment you requested, confirmed — not assumed.
- A day-of contact for your group captain.
- Clear change and cancellation terms, per our refund and cancellation policy.
USDOT number from your quote…
Open SAFER ↗
Find the USDOT number
Any interstate passenger carrier should be able to give you its USDOT number. Ask for it on the confirmation, not after the bus arrives.
Look it up on SAFER
Search the FMCSA's SAFER company snapshot. Confirm the operating status is active and that the carrier is authorized for passengers.
Check Pennsylvania authority for in-state trips
Trips that start and end inside Pennsylvania fall under the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which licenses passenger carriers operating within the state.
Ask the two questions that matter
Are the drivers in your program background-checked? Will the vehicle have seat belts? Our guides cover licensing and insurance checks and seat belt rules.
Walk away if…
the company won't share a USDOT number, asks for full payment in cash, or can't name the vehicle class in writing. More in red flags when booking a charter bus.
Comfort & accessibility
Riders Who Need a Little More: Seniors, Students and Accessible Travel
A huge share of Wilkes-Barre group travel is organized for people who aren't booking for themselves — parishioners, residents of a senior community, a third-grade class, a team of teenagers. Their needs shape the vehicle and the pace more than the destination does, so we ask about them up front.
Senior groups
Valley senior centers and parish clubs travel often, and they know what they want: easy steps, a steady pace and no surprises. We plan rest stops roughly every two hours on longer runs, put the most mobile riders at the back and keep the first rows for anyone who needs them.
- Ask for a coach with a restroom on trips over 90 minutes.
- Build ten extra minutes into every boarding stop.
- Choose pickups with a curb, not a gravel lot.
Students & youth
Teachers, coaches and youth leaders carry the responsibility; the bus should make their job easier. One chaperone team per vehicle, a printed roster held by the trip leader, and a clear plan for a late return keep parents calm.
- State seat-belt requirements in your first request.
- Keep rosters private — first names and a count are enough on board.
- Text parents a single pickup time for the return.
Assigning students and chaperones to buses · late-return parent plans
Wheelchair & mobility needs
Lift-equipped vehicles exist but are a smaller part of any fleet, so they go first on busy dates. Tell us how many riders will stay seated in a wheelchair or scooter and its approximate size; we confirm the lift and securement positions in writing.
- Mention walkers and folding chairs that ride below.
- Let us know about service animals in advance.
- Choose drop points with level ground for the lift.
One question we always ask: who on this trip will find the day hardest? Plan the pickup, the seating and the pace around that person and the rest of the group almost always has a better day too.
How booking works
Copy This, Fill the Blanks, Send It Our Way
The fastest Wilkes-Barre quotes come from organizers who answer the questions before we ask them. This template is exactly what our planners need. Paste it into the quote form, an email or a text; anything you don't know yet, mark "TBD" and we'll work around it.
From there the process is short: we review the route and recommend a vehicle, send a written quote, you confirm with a deposit, and a few days out we reconfirm the pickup details with your group captain.
If your plans shift after booking — ten more riders, a new hotel, a later return — tell us as soon as you know. Changes are easiest to absorb days ahead, not at the curb. Our guide to changing a charter reservation explains how updates affect the vehicle and the price.
- 1Send details
- 2Vehicle match
- 3Written quote
- 4Confirm
- 5Day-before check
Group / organization: ____________ Trip date(s): ____________ (flexible? yes / no) Riders: ___ total (include chaperones, staff, coaches) Pickup address(es): ____________ East bank, West Side, Back Mountain, up- or down-valley? Destination + must-be-seated time: ____________ Bus stays with us, or drop and return? ____________ Return time: ____ (fixed or flexible) Luggage / gear: ____________ Accessibility needs: ____________ Must-have amenities: restroom / outlets / Wi-Fi / none Day-of group captain + phone: ____________
Service area
Wilkes-Barre Area Pickup Index, A to Z
We pick up throughout Luzerne County and the neighboring valley towns, not just at Public Square. Find your town below; the note beside it is how our planners think about that stop. Don't see yours? If it's in Northeastern Pennsylvania, we almost certainly cover it — just add the address to your request.
A
- Ashley — downriver, on the way up Route 309
- Avoca — airport town, AVP terminal
B
- Bear Creek — Turnpike side, wooded venues
D
- Dallas — Back Mountain, Misericordia
- Duryea — up-valley, near the airport
E
- Edwardsville — West Side, church-lot pickups
- Exeter — West Side, up-valley
F
- Forty Fort — West Side, compact streets
H
- Hanover Township — downriver, industrial parks
- Harveys Lake — Back Mountain lake events
- Hazleton — south on I-81 over the ridge
K
- Kingston — across the Market Street Bridge
L
- Larksville — West Side hillside
- Lehman — Penn State Wilkes-Barre
- Luzerne — borough on the way to the Back Mountain
M
- Moosic — PNC Field, RailRiders
- Mountain Top — ridge-top suburbs on Route 309
N
- Nanticoke — LCCC, down-valley
P
- Pittston — up-valley, quick to I-81
- Plains Township — arena-area hotels and the casino
- Plymouth — West Side, downriver
S
- Scranton — about half an hour north
- Shavertown — Back Mountain, Route 309
- Swoyersville — West Side
W
- West Pittston — riverside, up-valley
- Wilkes-Barre Township — Mohegan Arena, shopping
- Wyoming — West Side, up-valley
A quick word on multi-town pickups: the valley is long and narrow, so a route that runs Nanticoke → Kingston → Pittston crosses the river twice and doubles back on itself. Group your stops in one direction of travel, and if the towns sit far apart, ask us to compare one coach with three stops against two smaller vehicles. On many Luzerne County trips the split plan wins on both comfort and cost.
Planner's shelf
Reading for Wyoming Valley Trip Organizers
Pulled from our charter bus blog for the trips Wilkes-Barre groups book most. General booking questions live in the main FAQ.
Hover a spine to pull the book.
Organizing your first trip? Start with the first-time renter guide, then read the article closest to your group: senior centers and parish clubs should look at the senior and accessibility titles, school leaders at the field-trip and marching-band guides, and coaches at the wrestling tournament piece, since Pennsylvania's wrestling season keeps team buses rolling all winter.
Straight answers
Wilkes-Barre Charter Bus Rental FAQ
The questions Luzerne County organizers ask us most, answered the way we would answer them on the phone.
Still have a question? 24/7+1 (308) 304-6668How much does it cost to rent a charter bus in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
It depends on the vehicle class, how many hours the bus is in service, total mileage, the date and extras like tolls, parking or driver lodging. A short Kirby Center transfer and a full day to New York are priced very differently even for the same group. Send your date, headcount and route for an itemized quote, and see our pricing overview for general ranges.
How far ahead should we book a bus in Wilkes-Barre?
For May commencement weekends, prom season, October foliage Saturdays and multi-bus events, start one to three months out — earlier for large weddings. Ordinary weekday trips can often be arranged with a few weeks' notice, and we do handle short-notice requests when vehicles are available. The sooner we have your date, the more vehicle choices you keep.
Can you pick up our group at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport?
Yes. AVP sits in Avoca, about ten miles from downtown Wilkes-Barre. Send flight numbers, the passenger count and how many checked bags to expect, and we'll size the vehicle for luggage as well as seats. Groups arriving on several flights can choose one shared departure or staggered transfers. More detail on our airport charter page.
Can one bus collect riders on both sides of the Susquehanna?
It can, and many trips do — for example a church in Kingston plus a stop downtown. We usually recommend no more than two or three pickups per bus. When riders are spread across the West Side, the Back Mountain and the city, a second smaller vehicle is often the cheaper and kinder option because nobody spends an hour circling the valley before the real trip begins.
Do you run buses to Penguins games and concerts at Mohegan Arena?
Yes. We plan a confirmed drop point, a staging spot during the event and a named regroup landmark afterward so the group leaves together when the crowd does. Hotel guests along Highway 315 often prefer a short shuttle loop; groups from farther away usually book a coach that waits for the return.
Can we take a charter bus to Mohegan Pennsylvania casino?
Yes — it's one of the most popular day trips for senior centers, clubs and birthday groups. The gaming floor is 21 and over, so ask every rider to carry valid ID and check it before boarding. If your trip combines the casino with dinner or a show elsewhere, include both stops in your request.
Are wheelchair-accessible buses available in Wilkes-Barre?
Accessible vehicles with lifts can be requested. Tell us how many riders use wheelchairs or scooters, whether they will stay in their device during travel, and any other mobility needs. We confirm the equipment in writing before the trip rather than assuming it. Our guide to ADA lifts on charter buses explains what to ask.
Can a full-size bus get to Ricketts Glen State Park?
Yes, with route planning. State park guidance warns heavy vehicles away from the very steep stretch of PA 487 between Red Rock and the Lake Jean area, recommending the approach from Dushore instead. That adds time, so we plan the route and the parking area before quoting. Remember the Falls Trail is rated difficult; set a realistic regroup time for mixed-ability groups.
What happens if it snows on our travel day?
Safety decides. We monitor the forecast with you, agree a go/no-go check-in the evening before, and may adjust the departure time or route if conditions on the ridges warrant it. If travel is postponed for unsafe weather, we work with you on a new date under the terms in your agreement. Read the winter travel guide for details.
Can we book a one-way bus from Wilkes-Barre to Philadelphia or New York?
Yes. One-way charters are common for airport departures out of Philadelphia or Newark, cruise sailings and the start of multi-day tours. The quote accounts for the vehicle returning empty, so compare it with a round trip if your group is coming back within a day or two. See round-trip versus one-way rentals and our cruise port transfers.
Do you only rent full-size coaches, or smaller vehicles too?
We arrange the whole range: Sprinter vans for about eight to fifteen riders, minibuses for roughly eighteen to thirty-five, full-size coaches for forty to fifty-six, plus shuttle buses, school buses, executive coaches and party buses. Use the headcount slider above for a starting point, and we'll refine it once we know about luggage and trip length.
Is the driver's gratuity included in the quote?
Unless your written quote says so, gratuity is usually separate and at your group's discretion. Many organizers collect it in advance so the captain can hand it over at the end of the trip. Our driver tipping guide covers common practice for day trips and multi-day tours.
Ready when your group is
Book Your Wilkes-Barre Charter Bus Before the Valley Gets Busy
Send the date, the headcount and where everyone boards. We'll match the vehicle, map the pickups on both sides of the river and put a clear written quote in your inbox — day or night.
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