Quick answer: The main types of limousines are the luxury sedan (up to 4 passengers), the luxury SUV (up to 6), the stretch limousine (about 10), the stretch SUV limousine such as a Hummer (about 18), the Sprinter limo van (10 to 14), the party bus (14 to 30), and the coach bus (35 to 57). At Emily’s Limousine Service, starting rates run from $95 per hour for a Cadillac XTS sedan to $650 per hour for a 57-passenger coach. The right type depends on your headcount, your luggage and the kind of trip you are taking.

Types of Limousines at a Glance

Hourly bookings carry a 3-hour minimum for stretch limos, party buses and coach buses, and a 2-hour minimum for sedans and Sprinter vans. See every vehicle on our fleet page and every rate on our pricing page.

1. Luxury Sedans

A luxury sedan is the simplest type of limousine: a chauffeured executive car for one to four passengers. It is not stretched, but it is the vehicle most people book most often, because it handles airport runs, client pickups and date nights without paying for seats nobody uses.

• Cadillac XTS: seats 4, from $95 per hour. Clean, quiet and efficient for solo travelers and couples.
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class: seats 4, from $140 per hour. A noticeable step up in comfort and presence, popular for VIP arrivals and as the wedding couple’s car. See our S-Class limo service.

Sedans are the core of our black car service and Chicago airport transfers. For airport runs from the south suburbs, flat one-way rates start at $95 to Midway and $110 to O’Hare in the XTS.

2. Luxury SUVs

A luxury SUV carries up to 6 passengers and far more luggage than a sedan. It is the right call for families flying out together, golf trips, and anyone traveling with oversized bags.

• Chevy Suburban: up to 6 passengers, from $150 per hour.
• Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator: up to 6 passengers, from $160 per hour.

If everyone in a group of six is checking a large bag, count the bags as carefully as the people. Once luggage fills the cargo area, a Sprinter is usually the better fit.

3. Stretch Limousines

This is the vehicle most people picture when they hear “limo.” A stretch limousine is a luxury vehicle lengthened by a coachbuilder, typically with side-facing lounge seating, a partition behind the chauffeur, and mood lighting. It is built for the ride itself to be part of the occasion.

• MKT Stretch Limo: seats 10, from $225 per hour with a 3-hour minimum.

The 10-passenger stretch is the classic choice for prom groups, the couple and their parents at a wedding, anniversaries and milestone birthdays. Families booking for prom can read our prom limo guide for parents.

4. Stretch SUV Limousines

A stretch SUV limousine takes the same idea and builds it on a larger SUV body. The result is more headroom, more seats and a bigger arrival.

• Hummer Stretch Limo: seats 18, from $350 per hour with a 3-hour minimum.

The Hummer stretch is a favorite for full wedding parties and large prom groups who want to arrive together in one vehicle. See our wedding limo service for how it fits into a wedding day.

5. Sprinter Limo Vans

A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a high-roof van that lets most passengers stand up inside. It is smaller than a bus, parks in normal spaces, and handles tight downtown pickups that a larger vehicle cannot. The interior build decides what kind of trip it suits:

• Executive Jet Sprinter: seats 10, from $220 per hour. Fewer, larger seats and a more polished cabin for corporate teams and VIP groups. See our executive Sprinter service.
• 14-Passenger Sprinter Shuttle: seats 14, from $180 per hour. Forward-facing seating that loads quickly, ideal for airport groups and wedding guest shuttles. See our Sprinter van rental.
• Sprinter Party Bus: seats 14, from $250 per hour. Lounge-style seating built for socializing on birthdays and bachelorette nights.

6. Party Buses

A party bus is a larger vehicle with perimeter seating, room to move around, and lighting and sound built for a celebration. It is the step up when a group outgrows a stretch limo.

• Freightliner Party Bus: seats 30, from $350 per hour with a 3-hour minimum.

Party buses shine for bachelor and bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays, homecoming and large wedding parties. Our party bus rental page has the details, and our party bus planning guide covers sizes and occasions. Still torn between the two? Read limousine vs. party bus.

7. Coach Buses

A coach bus is built to move large groups comfortably, with forward-facing seats and dedicated luggage space. It is the most affordable choice per person once the seats are full. If your group is traveling with checked bags, mention it when you book so we can confirm the right coach.

Coaches carry a 3-hour minimum and are the standard for wedding guest shuttles, conventions, school trips and game days. See our coach bus rentals and charter bus service, or the full numbers in our charter bus cost guide.

How to Choose the Right Type of Limousine

By Group Size

• 1 to 4 passengers: luxury sedan
• Up to 6 passengers, or lots of luggage: luxury SUV
• Up to 10 passengers: MKT stretch limo or Executive Jet Sprinter
• 11 to 14 passengers: Sprinter shuttle or Sprinter party bus
• 15 to 18 passengers: Hummer stretch limo
• 19 to 30 passengers: Freightliner party bus
• 31 to 57 passengers: coach bus
• 58 or more: two or more vehicles traveling together

By Occasion

• Airport transfers: sedan or SUV for individuals and families, Sprinter shuttle for groups.
• Weddings: S-Class or stretch limo for the couple, Hummer stretch or party bus for the wedding party, Sprinter or coach for guests.
• Prom and homecoming: stretch limo or party bus, depending on group size.
• Corporate travel: sedan or S-Class for executives, Executive Jet Sprinter for teams, coach bus for conventions.
• Nights out and celebrations: Sprinter party bus or Freightliner party bus.
• Concerts and sporting events: SUV or Sprinter for small groups, coach bus for large ones.

For a deeper comparison by headcount and trip type, see our guide to choosing the right group transportation vehicle.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Limousine Type

1. Booking to the exact seat count. Formal wear, coats and bags take space. Leave a few seats of breathing room.
2. Forgetting luggage. A vehicle sized for people may not fit everyone’s checked bags. Count bags before you choose.
3. Picking a party vehicle for a business trip. A party bus layout does not suit a client pickup. Match the interior to the purpose.
4. Ignoring the minimum. For a short outing, the booking minimum matters more than the hourly rate.
5. Not checking the venue. Some downtown curbs and private drives cannot take a large bus. Ask the venue where vehicles can load.

Licensing and Safety Behind Each Vehicle Type

The larger the vehicle, the more licensing and regulation sit behind it. Under federal rules, a chauffeur needs a Commercial Driver’s License with a passenger endorsement to operate a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more people, including the driver. That covers our Hummer stretch, party bus and coach buses. Whatever you book, ask the company to confirm it is licensed and insured for commercial passenger transportation. Emily’s Limousine Service is licensed and fully insured, and every vehicle is driven by a professional chauffeur.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of limousines? The main types are the luxury sedan, the luxury SUV, the stretch limousine, the stretch SUV limousine, the Sprinter limo van, the party bus and the coach bus. They range from 4 seats in a sedan to 57 seats in a full-size coach.

What is the biggest type of limousine? Among true limousines, the stretch SUV limo is the largest. Our Hummer stretch seats 18. For bigger groups, a party bus seats up to 30 and a coach bus up to 57.

What is the difference between a limo and a party bus? A stretch limo is a lengthened luxury vehicle with lounge seating for about 10 to 18 people. A party bus is a larger vehicle with room to stand and move around, built for groups of up to 30.

How many people fit in a stretch limo? Our MKT stretch limo seats 10 and our Hummer stretch limo seats 18.

Which limousine type is best for a wedding? Most weddings use more than one type: an S-Class or stretch limo for the couple, a Hummer stretch or party bus for the wedding party, and a Sprinter or coach bus for guests.

Which type is cheapest per person? Larger vehicles cost more per hour but less per person when they are full. A full coach bus is usually the lowest cost per seat. Our limousine rental cost guide walks through the per-person math.

Is there a minimum rental time? Yes. Stretch limos, party buses and coach buses have a 3-hour minimum. Sedans and Sprinter vans have a 2-hour minimum. Airport transfers are flat one-way rates with no hourly minimum.

Find the Right Vehicle for Your Trip

Emily’s Limousine Service is based in Orland Park and runs every type of limousine in this guide across Chicago and the south suburbs, with flat-rate quotes and 24/7 dispatch. For a bigger picture of how limo service works from booking to drop-off, read The Complete Guide to Limousine Service in Chicago. When you are ready, tell us your date, route and headcount through our free quote form or call (312) 446-7505, and we will match you to the right vehicle.