OOHGuide

Bus Advertising: Costs, Ad Sizes and How to Buy (2026)

Updated 2026-10-07

Short answer: a single bus ad costs anywhere from about $100 to $300 a month for a tail or side ad with a small-city transit agency to $3,500 to $12,500 per 4 weeks for a full bus wrap through a national seller. Most large-market buys also have a minimum spend of $5,000 to $15,000 per market.

Bus advertising is part of transit advertising, which was the fastest-growing segment of US out-of-home in 2025, up 9.2% (OAAA via Digital Signage Today). Here is how it is priced and sold.

Standard bus ad sizes

Format Typical size (W x H) Where it goes
King 144" x 30" Street side of the bus
Queen 88" x 30" Curb side, near the door
Tail About 58" to 72" x 21" Back of the bus
Kong (ultra king) 248" x 54" Large street-side panel
King Kong 200" x 100" or fender to fender Most of one side, often over windows
Full back Varies Entire rear of the bus
Full wrap Varies Entire bus, except windows or roof in some cases
Interior card About 28" x 11" Inside, above the windows

Sizes are from Blue Line Media's bus exterior guide and transit agency rate cards. Every transit system has its own specs, so always confirm before you print.

How much does bus advertising cost?

In large markets

Blue Line Media lists these typical prices per display for a 4-week period:

Format Price per 4 weeks
Tail $400 to $800
Queen $400 to $800
King $600 to $950
Kong $900 to $1,250
Full back $1,000 to $3,500
King Kong $1,500 to $3,500
Full wrap $3,500 to $12,500

Blue Line notes a minimum purchase of $5,000 to $15,000 per market, so in practice you buy a package of several buses.

In smaller cities: real transit agency rate cards

Many transit agencies sell ads directly and publish their rates. Two examples:

GRTC (Richmond, Virginia), per bus, per month for a 1 month buy (rate card, updated October 2024):

  • Rear ad: $230, plus $85 production
  • Queen: $300, plus $140 production
  • King and super king sides: $355 to $460
  • King Kong: $650, plus $2,250 production
  • Half wrap: $1,500, plus $4,000 production
  • Full wrap: $3,000, plus $8,000 production
  • Longer commitments lower the monthly rate (a full wrap drops to $2,350 a month on a 12 month buy), and there is a $1,000 minimum.

CamTran (Johnstown, Pennsylvania), per bus, per month (rate card):

  • King tail: $150 for 1 month
  • King side: $160 for 1 month
  • King Kong side: $500 for 1 month
  • Full wraps: $1,200 to $1,700 a month depending on bus size and term
  • Interior cards: $5 to $8 a month

These small-market rates show how affordable transit can be outside the big metros, though production and installation are usually extra.

What drives bus advertising prices

  • Market size. Big-city systems with heavy ridership and traffic cost far more.
  • Format. Wraps and King Kongs cost more than tails and queens.
  • Number of buses. Most buys are packages; more buses means more reach.
  • Term. Longer contracts lower the monthly rate.
  • Production. Vinyl printing and installation are usually billed separately and can be large for wraps.
  • Routes. Many agencies rotate buses across the system and can't guarantee specific routes.

Is bus advertising worth it?

Bus ads work well when you want:

  • Repeated local exposure to drivers, pedestrians and riders across a city
  • Street-level reach in areas where billboards are limited
  • A low entry price in small and midsize cities
  • A big visual statement with full wraps

They are less precise than a fixed billboard, since buses move around and routes often can't be guaranteed. Pair them with fixed locations if you need presence near a specific store.

How to buy bus advertising

  1. Find who sells the ads. Some transit agencies sell directly. Others contract with a media company. Our directory lists 25 operators that sell transit advertising, including Lamar, Outfront Media and Vector Media.
  2. Ask for the rate card and specs for the formats you want.
  3. Choose a package and term. Ask how many buses, which garages or routes, and what discounts apply for longer terms.
  4. Budget for production. Get printing and installation quoted up front.
  5. Design for motion. Use the same rules as billboards: seven words or fewer, bold type and high contrast. See our billboard design tips.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to put an ad on a bus?

From about $100 to $300 a month for a tail or side ad in a smaller city, to $600 to $950 per 4 weeks for a king-size ad in a large market. Full wraps run about $1,200 a month in small systems to $12,500 or more in big cities.

How much is a full bus wrap?

Roughly $3,500 to $12,500 per 4 weeks in large markets, plus production, which can be several thousand dollars per bus.

What is a king size bus ad?

A king is the standard large panel on the street side of a bus, usually 144 inches wide by 30 inches high.

Can I choose which routes my bus ad runs on?

Often not. Many transit systems rotate buses daily and won't guarantee routes, though some sell route-specific packages. Ask before you buy.

Compare transit with other out-of-home options

See how bus ads compare with billboards using the billboard cost calculator, learn what out-of-home advertising includes, or request quotes from operators in your market.

Sources

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