Rent a Bus to FAU Stadium: Owls Game-Day Group Transportation Guide

If you are organizing a group trip from Parkland, Coral Springs, or anywhere in Broward County to an FAU Owls game at Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium, the single question that separates a clean game day from a scattered one is simple: where exactly does the bus drop everyone off, and where does it wait while you're inside? Most transportation guides gloss right over it. This one doesn't.

This guide walks you through exactly how a charter bus or party bus works at Flagler Credit Union Stadium — the drop-off zone, the parking situation for oversized vehicles, the approach routes off I-95, and what makes Glades Road a different beast after the final whistle. It also covers the Boca Raton Bowl each December, when the stadium fills with a crowd that has nothing to do with FAU's regular fan base and the parking picture changes accordingly. Party Bus Rental Parkland books these game-day runs all season long from communities across South Broward and North Palm Beach, so the logistics below come from doing this route — not from a campus brochure.

Why Rent a Bus to FAU Stadium?

Flagler Credit Union Stadium sits right on the FAU Boca Raton campus at the intersection of Glades Road and University Drive — and that location is exactly what makes game-day driving so frustrating. Every fan is funneling off the same I-95 exit, down the same stretch of Glades Road, competing for the same on-campus lots that require pre-purchased passes. When the game ends, everyone pushes back out that same exit at once.

Glades Road eastbound backs up from the campus gates to the Turnpike, and Spanish River Boulevard becomes the improvised escape route for anyone who knows the neighborhood.

A Parkland charter bus rental changes the equation entirely. Your group loads up at one address — a home in Parkland, a parking lot in Coral Springs, a hotel in Deerfield Beach — and rides together down I-95. The bus handles the approach and the post-game exit.

No one in your group is stuck behind the wheel while everyone else is still celebrating. And when 30,000 fans hit Glades Road at the same time, your group is already on board and moving instead of stuck in the pedestrian shuffle back to a remote lot.

There is also a practical math to it. One full-size charter bus replaces a dozen cars, a dozen separate parking passes at $20 each, and the coordination headache of getting a caravan to arrive and leave together. Split across 40 or 50 people, the per-head cost of a bus rental in Parkland usually lands well below what everyone would have spent on parking and gas separately.

That's the reason groups — alumni sections, fraternity chapters, corporate sponsor boxes, and tailgating crews — book a bus for Owls games instead of trying to convoy down from Broward.

Charter Bus Drop-Off at Flagler Credit Union Stadium

Here's the detail that matters and that most transportation pages skip entirely. According to FAU's official A-to-Z stadium guide, the FAU team buses drop off at Lot 5, north of the football stadium, and the team walks through the student tailgate area to enter through Gate 5. That same north-side zone — Lot 5 and its approaches on the stadium's north perimeter — is the coordinated loading and unloading area for large vehicles heading to the stadium's gate cluster on that side.

Lot 5 is also the center of the student tailgate scene, so your group steps off the bus directly into the pregame atmosphere — Fan Fest setup, the Marching Owls, food vendors — rather than hiking in from a remote surface lot a quarter-mile away. That walk is the real hidden cost of driving yourself: if you end up in a cash lot on the periphery of campus, you're looking at a 10-to-15-minute walk each way, in the South Florida heat, before and after a three-hour game.

Where the Bus Parks — Lot 5A Tarmac and the Pre-Purchase Requirement

Here is the piece that first-timers almost always discover at the gate: all parking on FAU football game days requires pre-purchased passes, and on-site cash sales for oversized vehicles are not guaranteed. For regular cars, cash lots are open on game day at $20 per vehicle — but for RVs, motor coaches, and charter buses, the designated space is Lot 5A (Tarmac), located northeast of Lot 5, and that space is sold in advance only. Per FAU Athletics' published parking guidance, reserved donor parking and RV/oversized-vehicle parking in Lot 5A must be purchased before game day.

What that means for a group booking a bus: the bus needs its own confirmed parking arrangement before the day of the game. There is no pulling up to the gate and sorting it out on arrival. When you book through Party Bus Rental Parkland, we sort out the approach route and where the bus will park for your event date as part of your reservation — so the bus isn't circling Glades Road while your group waits outside Gate 5.

We always recommend reviewing the official FAU Athletics stadium facilities page and confirming current parking rates with the ticket office at 1-866-FAU-OWLS before game day.

Confirm the Plan When You Book — Here's Why

FAU's parking plan shifts by event. Regular-season Owls games have one set of lot assignments and cash-lot availability; Homecoming brings a campus closure the preceding Friday and significantly tighter parking; the Boca Raton Bowl in December draws a completely different crowd with its own parking protocol and event-specific pricing. The stadium has also hosted soccer events and concerts where the lot layout changes from its football configuration.

When you reserve with Party Bus Rental Parkland, we confirm the right route and where the bus will park for your specific event date — because the plan that worked for a September night game may not apply to a December bowl game. Call 754-290-8870 with your date and headcount, and we'll have the logistics sorted before anyone steps on the bus.

Getting to FAU Stadium: Every Option Compared

Glades Road is a four-lane corridor that runs from I-95 directly into the FAU campus. Under normal conditions, the drive from the highway to the stadium takes about five minutes. On game day, with 30,000 fans all taking the same route off I-95 Exit 45, that same stretch can run 30 to 45 minutes.

Here's an honest look at how the options stack up for a group coming from Parkland, Coral Springs, or anywhere in South Broward.

The honest read: for one or two people coming from Boca Raton itself, Tri-Rail to the Boca Raton station paired with Palm Tran Route 94 (which runs directly to campus) is a clean, low-cost option. But the moment your party is more than a few carloads, the coordination math tips hard toward one bus. Multiple cars mean multiple parking passes, multiple chances to get separated on Glades Road, and at least one person who has to stay sober to navigate the post-game crawl back to I-95.

A private Parkland bus rental solves all three.

Tri-Rail and Palm Tran Route 94 — Explained

Tri-Rail runs through Boca Raton with a station at 801 NW 51st Street. From Pompano Beach or Deerfield Beach stations in Broward County, the ride to Boca Raton takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Palm Tran Route 94 connects the Boca Raton Tri-Rail station directly to the FAU campus and runs approximately every 20 minutes, making it a genuine option for groups willing to work around a fixed schedule.

FAU has contributed to keeping Route 94 funded specifically because it serves game-day crowds.

The limitation for a large group: you're on Palm Tran's schedule, not yours. Post-game departure depends on service frequency, and a packed bus after a night game is a different experience than your own chartered vehicle. A Parkland charter bus rental picks up at your door, stays until you're ready to leave, and brings everyone home to the same address.

That flexibility is what groups keep coming back for.

What Size Bus Does Your Group Need?

We offer a range of vehicles, and matching the right one to your headcount means you never pay for seats your group isn't using. Here's how the fleet breaks down for an FAU Stadium run from Parkland or Broward County.

For groups that want the pregame experience to start the moment the bus pulls away from Parkland, our party buses come with a full-length bar, color-changing LED lighting, and a premium Bluetooth sound system — so the Owls playlist is already going long before the bus reaches Glades Road. For large-group tailgaters hauling coolers, folding chairs, and canopies, a full-size charter bus gives you deep undercarriage bays that swallow all of it in one load. ADA-accessible vehicles are always available; just let us know before your event date.

Bus Rental Prices for FAU Stadium Games

Party Bus Rental Parkland provides all-inclusive pricing in under 30 seconds — you'll know the exact number before you commit to anything. What shapes the quote:

• Vehicle size — a 56-passenger charter bus and a 14-passenger Sprinter limo price differently.
• Total hours — the block of time the vehicle is dedicated to your group, including any pregame tailgate time and the post-game wait.
• Date — a midweek September game prices differently than a night Homecoming kickoff or the December bowl game, when demand across South Florida peaks.
• Pickup location and mileage — a Parkland address is a short run; adding a Coral Springs or Margate stop before heading south to Boca adds time and distance.

For real ranges to anchor your planning: 14-passenger Sprinter limos run $170–$344/hour; 15–20 passenger party buses run $204–$378/hour; 20–30 passenger party buses run $244–$414/hour; 35–50 passenger party buses and minibuses run $294–$490/hour; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour or $1,200–$2,500/day. Note that the stadium's bus parking pass for Lot 5A is a separate, pre-purchased cost. Call 754-290-8870 any time for a free, all-inclusive price quote at no obligation.

A Real Game-Day Example

Here's a recent run of ours to anchor the numbers. For a Saturday night FAU home game last October, a 42-person alumni group from Coral Springs booked a 56-passenger charter bus. Pickup at 4:30 PM from a church parking lot in Coral Springs, on campus near Lot 5 by 5:45 PM — two hours before kickoff.

The undercarriage bays held a collapsible canopy, two coolers, and two dozen folding chairs. The group tailgated through the Owl Walk at 6:45 PM, then walked to Gate 5. Post-game, the bus waited nearby and was loaded and rolling back to Broward by 11:15 PM — well clear of the worst of the Glades Road backup.

The 7-hour all-inclusive rental came to $1,950 — about $46 per person, parking headache included.

Getting There: Routes, Traffic & Timing

From Parkland, the trip to Flagler Credit Union Stadium is about 16 miles and 25 minutes under normal conditions. From Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Tamarac, and Margate, the distance ranges from 18 to 25 miles with normal drive times of 25 to 35 minutes. All of those estimates balloon on game day.

The standard route is I-95 South to Exit 45 (Glades Road East). The stadium appears on your left approximately one mile from the exit. That mile — from the off-ramp to the campus gates — is where all of the game-day congestion concentrates.

University Drive at Glades Road sees heavy cross-traffic, and officers often direct fan traffic through specific lots that can add a loop around campus.

Post-game, the fastest escape is not Glades Road going west. Spanish River Boulevard runs along the stadium's northern perimeter and connects back to I-95 at a less-congested interchange, bypassing the parking lot exodus on Glades entirely. Knowing that route on the way out is worth 15 minutes of sitting time.

The bus handles that navigation while your group does what it should be doing: recapping the game.

Tailgating at FAU Stadium: What You Need to Know

The tailgate culture at FAU is centered on Lot 5, the open area north of the stadium that the university officially designates as the student tailgate zone — and where the Owl Walk takes place roughly 2.5 hours before kickoff, when the team processes from the buses through the crowd into Gate 5. If your group wants to be in the middle of that energy, Lot 5 is where to be.

Per FAU's published tailgating guidelines:

• Lots open four hours before kickoff: The student "Rat's Mouth" section opens five hours out for setup, but tailgating activity doesn't officially begin until four hours before kickoff.
• FAU is a tobacco-free campus: No smoking anywhere in the tailgate areas, including e-cigarettes.
• Tents are allowed in any size, but they must be secured with sandbags — no staking into the ground.
• Inverter generators are permitted in designated locations, placed at least one parking space away from your tent.
• Cleanup is mandatory: All personal items must be removed within one hour of the game ending; trash goes to designated receptacles, not left by the bus.

A charter bus is the ideal tailgate vehicle for this setup: the undercarriage bays carry the canopies, coolers, folding tables, and chairs that would otherwise require three separate car trunks, and the bus itself becomes your group's home base for the day. Nothing goes in your lap — it all rides in the bays. When the Owl Walk comes through, your whole group is already in position without having to hike from a remote lot.

FAU Stadium Bag Policy

FAU enforces a clear-bag policy at Flagler Credit Union Stadium. Each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12" × 6" × 12", or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. A small clutch bag approximately hand-sized may accompany the clear bag.

Backpacks, opaque bags, and anything exceeding the size limits are turned away at the gate. FAU has distributed sponsored clear bags at stadium gates as you enter, so arriving without one isn't necessarily a problem — but your group won't be waiting at the merchandise tent while everyone else is finding their seats. Pack light and pack clear.

What's On at Flagler Credit Union Stadium in 2025–2026

FAU's 2025 regular-season home slate runs from late August through November, with kickoff times that shift based on television scheduling. Homecoming typically lands in October and is the single most-booked game for group bus rentals from Broward County, with alumni traveling from as far south as Miami and as far north as Palm Beach Gardens for the occasion. The stadium also closes the calendar year with its marquee bowl game:

• FAU Owls regular-season home games: The 2025 home schedule spans roughly six games at Flagler Credit Union Stadium. Check the official FAU football schedule for confirmed dates and kickoff times, which are often announced on short notice for television.
• FAU Homecoming: Homecoming typically falls in October and is the year's most-attended home game. The university closed campus on the Friday before the 2024 Homecoming game against USF due to expected traffic; plan your approach and your bus booking accordingly, and give yourself more lead time than a regular-season Saturday would require.
• Boca Raton Bowl: Held annually in December at Flagler Credit Union Stadium, the bowl game draws fans who have no connection to FAU — two programs from outside the region, a different parking and traffic protocol, and a crowd that packs hotels from Boca Raton to Delray Beach. The 2025 edition was played on December 23 at 2:00 PM ET. Parking for the bowl uses a different lot pricing structure than regular-season games: RV and motor home parking in Lot 5 ran $100 for the 2025 bowl, with general car lots at $20 (cash only). Groups traveling for the bowl should book as early as the matchup is announced in early December, because South Florida transportation fills up fast for that week.

For Homecoming and the Boca Raton Bowl specifically: these are the two dates when Parkland bus rentals for FAU Stadium are most in demand across Broward County. Lock in your booking as soon as your game date is confirmed — waiting until the week of the game means paying more or finding nothing available. Call 754-290-8870 the moment you have a date and a headcount.

Coming From Out of Town?

For the Boca Raton Bowl and other marquee events, groups fly into either Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), about 22 miles north of FAU Stadium, or Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), about 25 miles north. Both are easy starting points for a group transfer: one bus picks up your crew at baggage claim and goes straight to the stadium or to a hotel in Boca Raton, without splitting anyone across rideshares on arrival day. That run — FLL or PBI to Flagler Credit Union Stadium — is exactly the kind of multi-stop pickup Party Bus Rental Parkland handles regularly.

On lodging, the stretch of Glades Road between I-95 and downtown Boca Raton has a cluster of hotels within three miles of the stadium. For bowl game weekends, those rooms book up quickly, and a group staying at one of those hotels is already positioned for the shortest possible bus run to the stadium.

Leaving FAU Stadium After the Game

Getting out of Flagler Credit Union Stadium is where having a bus pays off most. When the final whistle blows, 30,000 fans hit Glades Road simultaneously, and the westbound backup to I-95 can stretch to 30 minutes or more on sold-out nights. Fans who parked in the farther surface lots face a 10-to-15-minute walk before they're even in their cars.

Rideshare surge pricing kicks in the moment the game ends — and wait times for pickups can stretch to 20 or 30 minutes while cars work through the congestion.

With a bus, you set a pickup window in advance. Your group agrees on a spot — north side, near where you were dropped off — walks out together, and boards. The bus takes Spanish River Boulevard north to clear the Glades Road backup, picks up I-95 at Spanish River, and has your crew back in Parkland or Coral Springs while the lots are still emptying.

That's the practical reason groups who do this trip once almost always book a bus for the next one. Call 754-290-8870 to set up your post-game pickup window when you reserve.

Trip Types We Handle to FAU Stadium

Different groups, same goal: everyone arrives together, relaxed, and in time for the tailgate. A few of the runs we handle most often from Parkland and Broward:

• Alumni groups and season-ticket holders: The classic bus run — one pickup in Parkland or Coral Springs, game at FAU, home by midnight. Built-in bar on the party bus keeps the energy from the living room to Lot 5.
• Greek chapters and student organizations: FAU's student population draws big groups from Broward. A minibus rental in Parkland covers 20 to 30 people without needing someone in the chapter to stay sober and drive.
• Corporate sponsor and donor groups: Premium seating holders often coordinate box arrivals with transportation for clients or board members; a Sprinter limo handles that run cleanly, with the group arriving together in front of the premium gates.
• Boca Raton Bowl groups: Fans traveling for the bowl game who need one coordinated pickup and drop-off — often combining a hotel pickup and a return to FLL or PBI after the game.
• Family groups and birthday celebrations: A Saturday night Owls game doubles as a group outing, with the tailgate and the game built into the party bus itinerary for a birthday crew or a family reunion weekend.

Booking Your FAU Stadium Bus

Booking a bus to Flagler Credit Union Stadium is straightforward. Have these details ready when you call:

1. Your game date and kickoff time: Kickoff affects the lot-opening window and the tailgate hours available to your group.
2. Your group size and pickup location: A Parkland home, a Coral Springs parking lot, a hotel in Deerfield Beach — whatever works for the group.
3. How much tailgate time you want: Lots open four hours before kickoff; we'll plan your departure time to land your group in Lot 5 with enough time before the Owl Walk.
4. Your post-game pickup window: Set this in advance so the bus is there and ready when you walk out, not circling Glades Road.

We confirm the current drop point and where the bus will park for your specific event when you book, because the plan differs between regular-season games, Homecoming, and the Boca Raton Bowl. No guessing, no discovering the lot is full when you arrive. Call 754-290-8870 to lock in your date.

Tips for Visiting Flagler Credit Union Stadium

A few things every group should know before game day:

• Buy parking in advance: Cash lots fill and may sell out, and Lot 5A for oversized vehicles requires pre-purchase. There is no day-of oversized vehicle parking sold at the gate.
• Clear bags only: Each guest gets one clear plastic bag no larger than 12" × 6" × 12" or a one-gallon freezer bag, plus a small clutch. FAU has historically distributed sponsored clear bags at entry, but don't count on it. Check the official FAU clear-bag policy before your game.
• Download your tickets: FAU strongly encourages digital tickets on a smartphone to reduce gate congestion. A 40-person group fumbling for printouts at Gate 5 slows everyone down.
• Plan for Florida heat: September and October games, especially evening kickoffs, can still be in the upper 80s. Light clothing and pre-hydration matter more than you think after a tailgate in the South Florida sun.
• Exit via Spanish River: Post-game, the Spanish River Boulevard exit north of the stadium bypasses the worst of the Glades Road westbound backup. Know the route before you need it.
• Homecoming and bowl game weeks book fast: If your group is planning around either of those, reach out as soon as your date is set. Available vehicles disappear weeks ahead of those dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does a charter bus drop off at FAU Stadium?

The north side of the stadium near Lot 5 and Gate 5. That's where the FAU team buses drop off for the Owl Walk, and it's the coordinated zone for large vehicles accessing the Gate 5 entry area. Your group steps off directly into the tailgate section, not at a remote surface lot.

We confirm the exact drop point for your specific event when you book, since the plan can shift for the Boca Raton Bowl and other non-FAU events.

Where do buses park at Flagler Credit Union Stadium?

Oversized vehicles including charter buses and RVs park in Lot 5A (Tarmac), northeast of Lot 5. Per FAU Athletics' A-to-Z guide, this parking must be reserved and purchased in advance — there is no day-of oversized vehicle parking sold at the gate. Contact the FAU Athletics ticket office at 1-866-FAU-OWLS to confirm current pricing and availability for your game date.

How much does it cost to rent a bus to FAU Stadium from Parkland?

Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours (including tailgate time and post-game wait), your game date, and pickup location. General ranges: 14-passenger Sprinter limos run $170–$344/hour; 15–20 passenger party buses run $204–$378/hour; 20–30 passenger party buses run $244–$414/hour; 35–50 passenger minibuses run $294–$490/hour; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour. The stadium's Lot 5A bus parking pass is purchased separately.

Call 754-290-8870 for an all-inclusive quote in under 30 seconds.

How far is Parkland from FAU Stadium?

About 16 miles — roughly 25 minutes under normal conditions via I-95 South to Glades Road East. On game day, add 20 to 30 minutes for the Glades Road approach from I-95 to the campus gates. Plan your departure time accordingly; lots open four hours before kickoff.

Is there a public bus or train to FAU Stadium?

Yes, though it requires a connection. Tri-Rail runs to the Boca Raton station (801 NW 51st Street), and Palm Tran Route 94 connects the station to the FAU campus, running approximately every 20 minutes. FAU has supported keeping Route 94 operational specifically because it serves game-day attendance.

For a large organized group, though, public transit removes your control over departure times and post-game coordination — a private charter bus rental in Parkland keeps the whole group on one schedule.

What is the bag policy at FAU Stadium?

FAU uses a clear-bag policy. One clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12" × 6" × 12" per person, or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. A small clutch no larger than a hand may accompany the clear bag.

Opaque bags, backpacks, and oversized containers are prohibited. Review the official FAU clear-bag policy before your game for the current list of permitted and prohibited items.

What happens at the Boca Raton Bowl, and is parking different?

The Boca Raton Bowl is held annually in December at Flagler Credit Union Stadium, typically on or around December 23, and features two programs from outside the region rather than FAU. The 2025 game kicked off at 2:00 PM ET and was broadcast on ESPN. Parking protocol and pricing differ from the regular season — the 2025 bowl charged $100 for RV/motor home parking in Lot 5 and $20 for standard vehicles.

For the bowl, book your bus as soon as the matchup is announced in early December, since South Florida transportation fills up fast in the weeks before Christmas.

Can the bus stay during the game and pick us up after?

Yes. The bus is reserved as a block of hours, so it waits nearby during the game and is ready for your group at the agreed pickup window when the final whistle blows. You set that window with our team when you book — no hunting for the bus in a darkened parking lot while everyone else is on Glades Road.

How far in advance should we book for Homecoming or the Boca Raton Bowl?

As soon as your date is confirmed. Homecoming is the single most-booked FAU game for groups from Broward County, and the bowl game draws competing demand from across South Florida the last week of December. For those two events, a few weeks' lead time is often not enough — the vehicles go months ahead.

For regular-season games, two to four weeks works for most dates, but earlier always gives you better vehicle selection and pricing. Call 754-290-8870 to check availability.

Book Your FAU Stadium Bus Today

The perfect Owls game-day run from Parkland is just one call away. Whether it is a tailgate crew of 20 heading to a September night game, a 50-person alumni chapter trip for Homecoming, or a bowl-week group transfer from FLL to Flagler Credit Union Stadium and back, Party Bus Rental Parkland has access to a fleet of party buses, charter buses, minibuses, and Sprinter vans across South Broward — and we drop your group at the north side of the stadium while everyone else is still looking for parking. Give us a call any time at 754-290-8870 for an all-inclusive price quote, or use our online tool for instant availability!

Sources & Last Verified

Stadium, parking, and event details verified in June 2026. Parking prices, lot assignments, and bowl game dates change season to season — confirm current figures against the official pages below before your visit.

• FAU Athletics — Flagler Credit Union Stadium Facilities
• FAU Athletics — A-to-Z: Flagler Credit Union Stadium
• FAU Athletics — Clear-Bag Policy
• FAU Campus Life — Tailgating Information
• FAU Athletics — 2025 Football Schedule
• Boca Raton Bowl — Parking Information
• Palm Tran — Route 94 (Boca Raton / FAU Campus)
• Tri-Rail — Boca Raton Station