A few of the companies we’ve worked with
Rock Out at the Arena District: Nationwide Arena & KEMBA Live!
The Arena District is the heartbeat of entertainment in downtown Columbus. Anchored by Nationwide Arena (200 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215), home of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, this district hosts the city's largest indoor concerts. From Taylor Swift to Bruce Springsteen, if a massive tour is coming to Ohio, it’s likely stopping here. Just down the street is KEMBA Live! (405 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43215), a unique indoor/outdoor venue that offers the best of both worlds. In the summer, the outdoor amphitheater is the perfect spot for sunset concerts on the lawn, while the indoor music hall offers an intimate, club-like vibe year-round.
However, the Arena District is notorious for one thing: limited and expensive parking. During a Blue Jackets game or a sold-out concert, surface lots fill up hours in advance, and garage fees skyrocket. When you book a minibus or charter bus with Charter Bus Rental Company Columbus, you bypass the gridlock. Your driver can drop your group off right at the designated drop-off zones on Nationwide Boulevard or Neil Avenue, steps from the entrance. After the show, while thousands of people are stuck in the parking garage queues, your group will be boarding your pre-warmed bus, ready to head to a post-show dinner or back home.
The Legendary Ohio Stadium (The Shoe)
There is no venue in the state quite like Ohio Stadium (411 Woody Hayes Dr, Columbus, OH 43210). While it is hallowed ground for Ohio State University football, "The Shoe" also hosts massive stadium tours for global icons like The Rolling Stones, U2, and Beyoncé. With a capacity exceeding 100,000 people, the energy here is electric—but the logistics can be overwhelming. Traffic around the university district on event days is some of the heaviest in the Midwest.
For large groups attending events at Ohio Stadium, a charter bus rental is practically a necessity. If you are planning a tailgate, our full-size motorcoaches offer massive undercarriage storage bays perfect for coolers, folding chairs, tents, and grills. You can start the party on the road with our onboard Bluetooth sound systems and keep the group energy high. Instead of coordinating a caravan of ten different cars and trying to find spots next to each other in the general parking lots, your entire group arrives together. Your driver handles the navigation through the crowded campus streets, ensuring you get as close to the stadium as possible.
Intimate Vibes at The Newport and The Bluestone
For music lovers who prefer history and intimacy over stadium seating, Columbus offers two gems: The Newport Music Hall and The Bluestone. The Newport Music Hall (1722 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201), located directly across from the Ohio State Union, holds the title of the "Longest Continually Running Rock Club" in the country. It’s gritty, it’s historic, and it’s right in the middle of the busiest part of High Street. Parking here is virtually non-existent.
Alternatively, The Bluestone (583 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215) offers a completely different aesthetic. Housed in a repurposed church constructed in 1898, this venue features stained glass windows and incredible acoustics, making it a favorite for country and acoustic artists. Located downtown, it offers a sophisticated night out.
Renting a minibus for shows at these venues adds a layer of safety and convenience. High Street can be chaotic on weekend nights. With a private shuttle, your group has a designated pickup spot waiting for you when the encore ends. You won't have to surge-price rideshares or walk blocks to a parking meter. It’s the safest way to enjoy the show and perhaps a few drinks, knowing you have a driver waiting to take you home.
Festival Season: Sonic Temple and Jazz & Rib Fest
Columbus loves a good festival, and two of the biggest draw crowds from all over the nation. Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival takes over Historic Crew Stadium (One Black and Gold Blvd, Columbus, OH 43211) every May, bringing heavy rock and metal heavyweights to the city for a multi-day extravaganza. For foodies and jazz enthusiasts, the Jazz & Rib Fest transforms the Scioto Mile (233 Civic Center Dr, Columbus, OH 43215) into a riverfront party every summer.
Festivals are marathon events, often lasting all day in the summer heat. A charter bus rental from Charter Bus Rental Company Columbus serves as your mobile base of operations. For multi-day festivals like Sonic Temple, we can provide daily shuttles from your hotel to the festival grounds, ensuring no one misses the opening acts. After a long day in the sun, there is nothing better than stepping onto a climate-controlled bus with reclining seats to rest your feet on the ride back. For the Jazz & Rib Fest, where downtown parking is scarce due to road closures along the river, a bus allows you to get dropped off near Bicentennial Park without the hassle of finding a garage miles away.
The Ohio State Fair at the Expo Center
Every summer, the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds (717 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211) comes alive with the Ohio State Fair. It is a tradition for families, 4-H clubs, and school groups across the state. From the butter cow sculpture to the midway rides and the concerts at the Celeste Center, it is a quintessential Columbus experience.
If you are organizing a large group trip to the fair—whether it’s a senior community outing, a summer camp field trip , or a large family reunion—a charter bus is the most efficient way to travel. The fairgrounds are expansive, and parking can be a long walk from the gates. Our buses can drop your group off at the main entrance gate, saving your energy for walking the midway. Plus, the ample storage space on our buses means you have plenty of room to stow oversized stuffed animals, crafts, and other fair souvenirs on the ride home. With onboard amenities like TVs and DVD players, you can keep the kids entertained during the drive, making the journey part of the fun.
The Schottenstein Center
Located on the campus of Ohio State University, the Jerome Schottenstein Center (555 Borror Dr, Columbus, OH 43210) is a versatile arena that hosts everything from OSU basketball and ice hockey to major touring comedians and musicians. It’s a massive venue that seats nearly 20,000 people, and like Ohio Stadium, it deals with significant campus traffic.
When you book a charter bus for an event at "The Schott," you elevate your group's experience from the moment you leave your driveway. We specialize in corporate outings and alumni groups heading to the arena. Instead of worrying about meeting points and lost tickets, your group stays together. We can arrange for a pickup schedule that allows you time to grab dinner at the nearby Varsity Club or other campus favorites before heading to the arena. The drivers can navigate the Olentangy River Road traffic, ensuring you are in your seats before the lights go down.
Ohio Theatre and Palace Theatre (Broadway in Columbus)
For a touch of elegance, the Ohio Theatre (39 E State St, Columbus, OH 43215) and the Palace Theatre (34 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215) offer stunning backdrops for Broadway tours, the Columbus Symphony, and BalletMet. These historic venues are breathtaking, featuring opulent Spanish-Baroque and French Renaissance architecture.
Attending a show here is often a formal affair. The last thing you want to do when dressed in your best evening wear is walk several blocks in the unpredictable Ohio weather because the nearest parking garage was full. With Charter Bus Rental Company Columbus, we provide door-to-door service. Your driver can pull up curbside on State Street or Broad Street, allowing your group to disembark right in front of the marquee. It is a VIP experience perfect for theater groups, senior trips, or corporate client entertainment. After the curtain falls, your bus will be waiting to whisk you away to a post-show cocktail hour or safely back home.
Book Your Columbus Concert & Event Transportation Today
Don't let traffic jams, parking fees, and logistical nightmares ruin your next big night out in Columbus. Whether you are headbanging at Sonic Temple, cheering on the Buckeyes at The Shoe, or enjoying a symphony at the Ohio Theatre, Charter Bus Rental Company Columbus is your partner in reliable, comfortable group travel. We have representatives available 24/7/365 to assist you with finding the best charter bus to meet your needs. If you’d like a free personalized quote for your next concert or event shuttle, we’re ready to help and we’d love to earn your business!
You can reach us by calling 614-369-3546. You can also use our online quote tool for instant online charter bus pricing in under 30 seconds. Let us handle the driving so you can focus on the show!
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbus Concert Transportation
Can we bring food and drinks on the bus?
Absolutely! We want your group to enjoy the ride. You are welcome to bring food and beverages on board most of our buses. For many groups heading to concerts or sporting events , this is a great way to start the tailgating early. However, we do ask that you keep the bus clean and avoid glass containers for safety reasons. If you plan to consume alcohol, please let your reservation specialist know at the time of booking, as this is generally permitted for passengers of legal drinking age, provided a security deposit is made. Your driver will ensure everyone stays comfortable while you enjoy the pre-game festivities.
Where does the bus park during the concert or event?
Parking logistics depend on the specific venue. For major venues like Nationwide Arena or Ohio Stadium, there are designated staging areas for charter buses. In some cases, the driver will drop your group off at the entrance and then park at a nearby off-site lot, returning to pick you up when the event concludes. When you book with Charter Bus Rental Company Columbus, our team handles all these details. We communicate directly with your driver to ensure they are exactly where you need them to be when the event ends, so you aren't left waiting in the crowd.
How far in advance should we book a bus for a major concert?
Columbus is a busy city, and buses sell out quickly during peak event seasons—especially when major acts like Taylor Swift or The Rolling Stones come to town, or during OSU football season. We recommend booking your charter bus as soon as you have your event tickets and a headcount, ideally 3 to 6 months in advance. However, we understand that plans can change or come up last minute. Our team is available 24/7 at 614-369-3546 to check availability and try to accommodate your group, even on short notice.
Can you accommodate multiple pickup and drop-off locations?
Yes, we can! We specialize in custom itineraries. If your group is spread out across the Columbus metro area—perhaps with some people in Dublin, others in Westerville, and some in German Village—we can plan a route that picks everyone up before heading to the venue. Just keep in mind that additional stops may add time to your trip, so be sure to factor that into your schedule to ensure you arrive at the concert or game on time. Let our reservation specialists know your needs, and we will build the route that works best for you.
Do you offer transportation to events outside of Columbus?
We certainly do. While we love our home city of Columbus, Charter Bus Rental Company Columbus is a statewide provider. If your favorite band is playing at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati or Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, we can take you there. We also handle multi-day trips for festivals like Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza. Wherever the music takes you, our fleet is ready to get you there comfortably and safely.
Bus types Available in Columbus
We’re available everyday from 7am to midnight!
