Someone always ends up as the designated driver on a casino night — and that someone spends the whole evening watching their friends celebrate, nursing club soda, and navigating the I-87 Thruway home at 2 AM while everyone else is still replaying the night. A party bus or charter bus rental to Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway takes that question completely off the table. Everyone goes, and the ride home is already handled before the group ever walks through the casino doors.
Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway sits at 810 Yonkers Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704 — right off I-87 Exit 2, roughly 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan on a clear run up the Major Deegan. The venue is now operated by MGM Resorts as MGM Empire City, and it combines thousands of video lottery terminals on the casino floor with live harness racing at Yonkers Raceway — one of the oldest harness tracks in the country, running continuously since 1899. Group nights here run long, the gaming floor operates into the early morning hours on weekends, and race cards on stakes nights can run well past 11 PM.
That is exactly the kind of night where the group transportation question matters most. This guide covers every piece of it: drop-off logistics, vehicle options, pricing ranges, the best routes from Yonkers and beyond, and the calendar dates that book up fast.
TLDR: A party bus or charter bus to Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway keeps your whole group together, cuts out the designated driver problem on a long casino night, and gets everyone home on one coordinated pickup — compare options through Yonkerspartybuscompany.com or call 914-619-2250 any time.
Why Rent a Party Bus or Charter Bus to Empire City Casino?
Casino nights run late. The gaming floor at Empire City stays open into the early morning hours, and harness racing on a Thursday through Sunday race card runs well past 11 PM. For a group of 15 or 20 people who drove separately, the night ends when the most responsible person in the group decides it ends — because someone in every car has to drive.
A party bus or charter bus rental removes that dynamic entirely and turns the ride into part of the night rather than the logistics tax you pay before and after it.
For groups assembling from different parts of Yonkers, White Plains, Mount Vernon, or The Bronx, coordinating eight separate cars to the same parking level at the same time is a problem that reliably bleeds into the night itself. Texts about which entrance, whose car is where, and who is leaving when — all of it goes away with one vehicle and one agreed pickup window. The casino is roughly 9 minutes from downtown Yonkers on a clear run, but even a 9-minute trip gets messy when your group is spread across a dozen cars and someone forgets which lot level they parked on at midnight.
That is the practical argument. The celebration argument is that a 25-passenger party bus with a full-length bar, color-changing LED lighting, and a Bluetooth sound system turns the bus into the first venue of the night — not just the ride to it. For birthdays, bachelorette parties, and group celebrations, the bus is where the night starts, not where it commutes from.
For corporate outings or larger groups where smooth logistics outweigh a dance floor, a 40-56 passenger charter bus with reclining seats, WiFi, and overhead storage is the right fit. The vehicle changes; the logic does not.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway
Empire City Casino is directly accessible off I-87 (New York State Thruway) Exit 2, which puts you onto Yonkers Ave heading toward the main entrance. The venue has an on-site parking facility with the main casino entrance facing Yonkers Ave. For groups arriving by bus, the standard approach is curbside drop-off at the main entrance on Yonkers Ave, with the bus waiting in or near the facility during your visit.
Because commercial vehicle drop-off and staging arrangements can vary on busy race nights and holiday weekends, the right step before arriving with a large group is to contact the venue directly to confirm current bus logistics for your specific date. The official MGM Empire City page has current hours, directions, and contact information. For groups arriving on a stakes race night — when the parking lot fills early and vehicle traffic near the Yonkers Ave entrance peaks in the hour before post time — coordinating the return pickup window before the group splits up inside is the single step that keeps 30 people together at last call instead of spending 45 minutes trying to regroup.
On a busy race night, drop at the main Yonkers Ave entrance, park the bus in the facility, and agree on a pickup window before anyone goes inside. That single coordination step is what separates a smooth night from a midnight parking-lot scramble.
On race nights — typically Thursday through Sunday — the parking area near the Yonkers Ave entrance gets congested as post time approaches. A party bus or charter bus drops your group at the door and clears the lane. Nobody is circling the lot at 11 PM looking for a space, and nobody is waiting on a rideshare surge fare to materialize outside at 1 AM.
What Size Party Bus or Charter Bus Does Your Group Need for Empire City Casino?
The right vehicle comes down to two things: your headcount and what kind of night you are planning. A birthday group of 12 friends is a different trip than a 50-person corporate casino outing — and the bus should match both the size and the mood. Here is how the full vehicle lineup breaks down for this run.
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Small groups, VIP nights, executive outings | Leather seating, USB charging at every seat, tinted privacy windows |
| Sprinter Van Rental with Driver | Up to 14 | Corporate groups, smaller crews, airport pickups on the same trip | Individual climate control, overhead storage bins |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | 15–50 | Birthday nights, bachelorette parties, celebration groups | Full-length bar, color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound system, flat-panel TVs, dance area, wraparound seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Mid-size groups wanting comfort over a party bus setup | Reclining seats, strong A/C, overhead storage |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large corporate groups, company outings, multi-stop casino nights | Reclining seats, climate control, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage luggage bays |
For the classic casino night — a birthday, a bachelorette party, or a group of friends who want the energy to start on the bus — a party bus between 20 and 35 passengers is the most-requested vehicle for this run. The LED lighting and sound system set the mood in transit, and nobody needs to call a rideshare at 2 AM. For larger corporate outings or groups where WiFi, outlets, and undercarriage storage matter more than a dance floor, the full-size charter bus is the right call.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available — just note the need when you request estimates, at least 48 hours before your date.
Empire City Casino Party Bus & Charter Bus Rental Prices
Pricing for a party bus or charter bus rental to Empire City Casino from Yonkers and the surrounding Westchester and Bronx area depends on four clear factors: the vehicle you choose, the total hours you need, your pickup location, and the date. A Saturday night on a big race card prices differently than a Tuesday evening corporate outing.
- Vehicle type and size — a 14-passenger Sprinter limo and a 50-passenger party bus are very different rates.
- Total hours — most casino nights run 4 to 6 hours minimum, and the bus holds your group's timeline while everyone is inside.
- Pickup location — a Yonkers or White Plains pickup is a short run; a Manhattan or New Jersey origin adds mileage and time.
- Date — holiday weekends, major race nights, and peak season (May through September) all affect pricing and availability.
To give you an idea of ranges — these are planning figures, not quotes or guaranteed rates: 14-passenger Sprinter limos run roughly $125–$175/hour; party buses for 20 to 30 passengers run roughly $175–$325/hour; minibuses run roughly $130–$225/hour; and full-size charter buses run roughly $150–$300/hour. A 5-hour party bus rental for 25 people from White Plains to Empire City and back might come out to $875–$1,400 all-inclusive — split across the group, that often works out to less per head than everyone paying their own rideshare both ways, with none of the coordination headache and everyone arriving together.
Check the Yonkers party bus prices page for a fuller breakdown, or call 914-619-2250 any time for a free, all-inclusive quote — estimates online in under 30 seconds, or a phone call to talk through your itinerary and group size.
Getting to Empire City Casino: Routes, Drive Times, and What to Expect
Empire City Casino sits right at I-87 Exit 2 (Yonkers Ave), which makes it one of the more accessible approaches in the metro area — as long as you are not hitting the Major Deegan during the evening peak. The Deegan is one of the most congested corridors in the country during the Friday and Saturday evening rush, and a run from Midtown or The Bronx toward Yonkers that takes 20 minutes at noon can easily stretch to 50 minutes or more by 7 PM on a race night. That is the drive that goes from a minor inconvenience for one car to a real coordination problem for a group spread across ten.
| From… | Approx. distance | Off-peak drive time | Key route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Yonkers | ~3 miles | 8–12 minutes | Central Park Ave or Nepperhan Ave to Yonkers Ave |
| White Plains | ~9 miles | 15–22 minutes | Sprain Brook Pkwy south, or I-87 south to Exit 2 |
| Mount Vernon / New Rochelle | ~9–13 miles | 15–25 minutes | I-87 north to Exit 2 |
| The Bronx (Riverdale / Mosholu) | ~9–13 miles | 20–35 minutes | Major Deegan Expressway (I-87) north to Exit 2 |
| Midtown Manhattan | ~19–22 miles | 35–55 minutes | Henry Hudson Pkwy or West Side Hwy north to I-87 |
| North Bergen / Fort Lee, NJ | ~19–25 miles | 35–55 minutes | George Washington Bridge to I-95, then I-87 north; or Mario Cuomo Bridge to I-87 south |
The Sprain Brook Parkway is a practical alternative for groups coming from White Plains or central Westchester — it bypasses the I-87 interchange entirely and connects directly to the Central Park Ave corridor leading into the venue. For groups coming from New Jersey, the Mario Cuomo Bridge puts you on I-87 heading south with a straightforward shot to Exit 2, which sidesteps the George Washington Bridge gridlock on the right evenings. Whatever the approach, the bus handles the route.
The group just shows up at the pickup.
Race Nights, Holiday Weekends, and When to Book Your Bus Early
Yonkers Raceway has been running harness racing since 1899, and the racing calendar is a real factor in transportation planning. Live racing at Yonkers Raceway typically runs Thursday through Sunday evenings, with post time in the early evening and the card running well past 11 PM on full programs. On major stakes nights — the Yonkers Trot, the International Trot, and the other signature harness events on the annual calendar — the venue draws significantly larger crowds, parking fills noticeably earlier, and group transportation books up faster than on a standard race night.
If your group outing falls on a stakes evening, get your party bus or charter bus lined up at least three to four weeks ahead.
Holiday weekends are the other pressure point. New Year's Eve at Empire City Casino is one of the most popular group nights of the year in the Yonkers and Westchester market — the venue runs special programming, and every well-equipped party bus in the area gets claimed fast. St. Patrick's Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend, and the summer Friday race nights from late June through August all spike demand across the Bronx and Westchester transportation market.
For New Year's Eve, book by October if your group is 20 or more people — the right-size vehicles are the first to go, and last-minute options come with both limited availability and a price premium.
For standard Friday or Saturday casino nights outside of peak periods, two to three weeks of lead time is usually enough. But the earlier you plan, the more choices you have on vehicle type, pickup timing, and itinerary flexibility. Call 914-619-2250 to check availability for your date.
Comparing Your Transportation Options to Empire City Casino
Empire City Casino is close enough that most Yonkers-area groups assume they will just drive. That is exactly right for two or three people. But once the group grows past eight to ten people, the coordination cost of separate vehicles shifts the math considerably.
| Option | Designated driver required? | Arrive together? | Works for late nights? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party bus or charter bus rental | No | Yes | Yes — pickup on your schedule | Groups of 10 or more |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | No | No — multiple cars, staggered arrival times | Inconsistent — surge pricing at 1–2 AM is common | 2–4 people |
| Everyone drives | Yes — every car needs one | No — caravans split up | Poor — someone has to be sober, someone forgets what level they parked on | 1–2 cars, short nights |
| Metro-North + taxi or rideshare | No | Only if everyone catches the same train | Limited — late-night train service to Yonkers station runs infrequently | Individuals from Manhattan |
The rideshare math is the one groups don't usually run until they are standing outside at 1:30 AM. Six rideshares for a 30-person group — at post-midnight Westchester surge pricing — can add up to more per head than splitting a party bus, with none of the convenience, a 20-minute wait, and no guarantee everyone ends up in the same place at the same time. One bus, one pickup window, everyone goes home together.
That is the comparison that closes the case for groups past a certain size.
Group Trip Types That Book a Bus to Empire City Casino
The same vehicle that works for a bachelorette party works for a corporate outing — the setup changes, but the coordination logic is identical. These are the group types that request this run most often through Yonkerspartybuscompany.com:
- Bachelorette and bachelor parties. The built-in bar on a bachelorette party bus turns the trip into a mobile extension of the celebration. Most groups do a dinner or bar stop first in downtown Yonkers, then the casino — or casino first and then out to the bar scene — and the bus handles both legs without anyone calling a rideshare at midnight.
- Birthday nights. A birthday party bus for 20 to 35 people, picked up across two or three stops in Yonkers, White Plains, or Mount Vernon, drops the whole group at the casino entrance and keeps everyone on the same schedule for the entire night. No one gets stranded at the wrong parking exit at midnight.
- Corporate and team outings. A corporate event charter bus for 30 to 56 people handles staff nights out, client entertainment evenings, and company holiday parties efficiently — everyone arrives together, WiFi and outlets are available on the charter bus for the ride back, and the group departs on a schedule rather than whenever the last car finds its way out of the lot.
- Private group celebrations. Anniversaries, family reunions, and large group milestone nights that want private group transportation rather than splitting across five rideshares with five different ETA windows.
- Harness racing fan groups. Groups that come specifically for the live racing — some with serious handicapping knowledge, some just for the atmosphere and the late-night energy of the track. A sporting event party bus works here exactly as it does for a stadium run; see the Yonkers group game-day guide to Yankee Stadium for a sense of how the event-night logistics compare across venues.
Connecting Your Casino Night to Other Yonkers and New York City Stops
Empire City Casino works well as one stop in a longer group night, and the bus makes multi-stop itineraries simple to put together. Common combinations that come through regularly:
- Dinner in downtown Yonkers first, then the casino. Pick up the group at a restaurant on South Broadway, the Yonkers waterfront, or the Getty Square area, run to the casino for the racing and gaming, then return — or continue to a late-night bar stop — all on one booking.
- Casino night before or after a Manhattan event. Groups coming from the Bronx or Westchester sometimes pair a few hours at Empire City with a concert or late event in the city. The Madison Square Garden group event guide and the Radio City Music Hall group show guide cover the Manhattan venue logistics if your night extends south. Planning a full sports weekend? The Yonkers group guide to Citi Field covers the Queens-side game-day logistics for groups adding a Mets game to the trip.
- Airport pickup on the same trip. Groups with out-of-town guests sometimes route a charter bus from LaGuardia Airport to a Westchester hotel, then to the casino, and back — all on one itinerary and one all-inclusive quote. The Yonkers airport transportation page covers the LGA pickup logistics for groups coordinating arrivals.
Multi-stop itineraries are quoted as a single trip. List your stops, your group size, and your timeline when you request estimates, and the whole night comes back as one number. Call 914-619-2250 or use the online quote tool to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Empire City Casino
Where does a party bus or charter bus drop off at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway?
Drop-off for group buses is at the main entrance on Yonkers Ave, approached via I-87 Exit 2. The venue has an on-site parking facility for staging during your visit. Because commercial vehicle logistics can vary on busy race nights and holiday weekends, contact the venue directly through the official MGM Empire City page to confirm current arrangements for your specific date.
How much does it cost to rent a party bus or charter bus to Empire City Casino?
To give you an idea: Sprinter limos run roughly $125–$175/hour; party buses (20–30 passengers) run roughly $175–$325/hour; minibuses run roughly $130–$225/hour; and charter buses run roughly $150–$300/hour. A 5-hour party bus for 25 people from White Plains might run $875–$1,400 all-inclusive — often less per person than individual rideshares both ways. Pricing varies by date, vehicle, hours, and route.
Compare quotes through Yonkerspartybuscompany.com or call 914-619-2250 for a free, all-inclusive price in under 30 seconds.
How far in advance should I book a bus to Empire City Casino?
For standard Friday or Saturday casino nights, two to three weeks ahead works for most dates. For New Year's Eve, major stakes race nights (the Yonkers Trot, the International Trot), and summer holiday weekends, book four to eight weeks ahead — those dates clear out fast in the Westchester and Bronx market. New Year's Eve specifically: October is the right time to have your plans set for December 31st if your group is 20 or more people.
Can the bus wait for us during the casino visit?
Yes. The rental is quoted as a block of hours, so the bus waits on-site or nearby while your group is inside and is ready at the agreed pickup window. Setting that window before anyone goes inside is the single coordination step that keeps everyone together at last call instead of spending 40 minutes trying to regroup in a parking structure.
What is the best route to Empire City Casino from The Bronx?
The fastest route from The Bronx is the Major Deegan Expressway (I-87) north to Exit 2 (Yonkers Ave). From Riverdale or Mosholu, expect 20–30 minutes off-peak and 40 or more minutes on a Friday or Saturday evening when the Deegan backs up through University Heights. The bus handles that stretch while your group gets the night started — no one is watching the GPS and waiting for the congestion to break.
Can the casino be combined with a dinner stop in Yonkers?
Yes. Multi-stop itineraries are quoted as a single trip. List your full stop sequence, group size, and timeline when you request estimates through Yonkerspartybuscompany.com, and one all-inclusive quote covers the entire night.
Are ADA-accessible buses available for this route?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available from transportation providers serving Yonkers. Note your accessibility needs when requesting estimates, at least 48 hours before your departure date, and the right vehicle can be arranged.
Is there free parking at Empire City Casino?
Empire City Casino has on-site parking available for guests. For current hours, parking details, and directions, check the official MGM Empire City website. For groups arriving by bus, the relevant logistics are the Yonkers Ave entrance drop-off and staging arrangements for the vehicle during your visit.
Does the casino have a hotel on-site?
Yes — the Hotel at MGM Empire City is on-site at Yonkers Raceway, which makes this a practical base for groups visiting from out of town. A bus rental covering the Friday and Saturday night casino runs, with hotel guests picked up at the front door each evening, is a straightforward multi-night itinerary. List the hotel as your pickup point when you request estimates.
Book Your Party Bus or Charter Bus to Empire City Casino Today
The best casino nights are the ones where nobody has to think about getting there or getting home — they just show up at the pickup, get on the bus, and the rest of the night takes care of itself. Whether it is a 15-person bachelorette party, a 50-person corporate outing, or a group of friends who want the racing and the gaming without anyone drawing the short straw on the drive home, Yonkerspartybuscompany.com helps you compare the right vehicle from transportation providers serving Yonkers and all of Westchester County.
Compare party buses, charter buses, minibuses, and Sprinter vans side by side — get an all-inclusive quote online in under 30 seconds, or call 914-619-2250 any time to talk through your itinerary, group size, and date. The night's already planned. The bus just needs to be lined up.
