Q. Can I buy the hotel and ticket package without bus transportation?
A. Yes, you can. You can book our package from any city in the US; check the own transportation box on the reservation form.
Q. How much of a discount do I get for not taking the bus?
A. You get $100.00 per person off the bus transportation price. But keep in mind, you are own your own and miss the fun, music, laughter, libations, and comradery aboard the bus. That’s where new friendships are born. You miss out on Saturday morning excursions to either the shopping mall or the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. You are also on your own for round-trip shuttle service to the venue, the insane parking fees for the 2-night concert, not to mention the traffic nightmare you will encounter after the concert. It’s our belief a vacation should be relaxing and enjoyed – not with the headache and stress of competing with 18-wheelers, bad drivers, and occasional road rage on the highway for 5 – 6 hours.
Q. What’s the deposit amount for the trip?
A. It’s $200.00 per person.
Q. When is it due?
A. IMMEDIATELY.
Q. When is the balance due?
A. The balance is due June 1, 2025.
Q. How do I make a payment?
A. Two ways; you can make a credit or debit card payment on our online payment platform. Navigate to the Register menu, complete the Registration form and submit it. Then you want to submit your payment. You can also make a Zelle payment. Zelle is a stand along platform, and payments should be submitted to CincinnatiJazzFest@gmail.com. Receipt of payment will be emailed.
Q. What time and where is the Milwaukee bus pickup?
A. The Milwaukee bus will pick up is Friday, July 25, 2025, at 3:30 AM from Park-&-Ride, located at the intersection of Port Washington & Silver Spring Dr, across from Bay Shore Mall. Departure is 3:45 AM. You may safely leave your vehicles parked at this location.
Q. What time is the Chicago bus location and pickup time?
A. The southside bus will pick up on the same date at 7:00 AM from the Jewell parking lot, 8750 S. Lafayette Ave, Chicago, IL. Do not leave vehicles parked at this location. Bus pickup for our Westside friends and family will pick up at Orr High School, 730 S. Pulaski Rd (corner of Pulaski & Huron). Do not leave personal vehicles parked at this location. We suggest you get dropped off or use Uber or Lyft.
Q. How many bags can I bring aboard for the trip?
A. One piece of luggage to be stored in the baggage compartment of the bus, and 1-carry on.
Q. Can we bring alcoholic beverages aboard?
A. Of course, it’s a private charter party bus; what would a party bus be without party music and booze?
Q. Can we bring an ice cooler onboard?
A. If the cooler is small enough to fit underneath your seat – no problem.
Q. Will you guys be serving drinks onboard?
A. Of course, we have a staff that will be mixing Marmosa’s to get you going. Don’t forget to tip your server.
Q. Is the bus Wi-Fi equipped?
A. Yes.
Q. How long is the ride to Cincinnati?
A. Typically, without any unforeseen road closures or traffic tie-ups, we can do it in about 5 hours. We plan to run the buses non-stop to Cincinnati, so you better pack a lunch.
Q. What is quad occupancy?
A. Quad occupancy is the family room arrangement; there are usually 2-full size or queen beds in a room. That means you will have to share a bed with your roommate. This is an economy room arrangement for close family members or college students. Quad or triple occupancy is not the best sleeping arrangement for casual friends or co-workers. There is only 1 bathroom in the room. Quad and triple occupancy is intended for budgetary reasons, to keep close family members together – under one roof.
Q. Will the bus shuttle us to the Stadium?
A. Depends. If you are staying downtown at Westin Hotel, the answer is no, you merely walk on over – just 2 blocks. However, if you’re staying at the Hampton Inn by Hilton – on the Kentucky side of the river, the bus will shuttle you to the stadium and back on both nights. Bus departure time from the hotel is 6:30 PM EST. The return trip is typically around midnight. You’ll get more scheduling insight via your itinerary before the trip.
Q. What about parking at the hotel?
A. Guest parking at the Hampton is free, however, parking at the Westin can range from $45 – $150.00 per night. Those driving high-end vehicles pay more since they are parked in Baller Circle in front of the hotel.
Q. What time is the hotel check-in?
A. Hotel check-in for all hotels is 4:00 PM EST.
Q. How do I get my tickets?
A. We mail them to you 14 days before the event date. It is your responsibility to ensure we have current, up-to-date address information for you. Tickets are not mailed to a PO box, only to a residence, and in most cases via FedEx. If you should have a change of address, shoot us a short email at: CincinnatiJazzFest@gmail.com. We do not accept responsibility for wayward tickets if you fail to advise us of an address charge of at least 14 days out.
Q. How do I book my trip?
A. Navigate over to the Register form menu on this site; complete the form and submit it online. After that’s done – hit the button to submit your payment.
Q. Any special activities at the hotel?
A. Yes. The Hampton Inn will offer a Meet-and-Greet reception upon arrival of our bus and individual arrival guests. It’s an opportunity to unwind and have a glass of punch after the long ride in. On Saturday morning we offer our bus attendees the opportunity to venture out on a shopping mall excursion for a few hours. We also offer our bus group the alternate option of going to the National Underground Freedom Center in downtown Cincinnati. Admission fee is not included. While there, you can walk over to African Fest on the mall, located outside Paycor Stadium. Great bargains on handbags, artwork, jewelry, perfumes, music as well as giant turkey legs and other food delicacies.
Q. Is there a cancellation penalty?
A. We have no refund policy
Q. Do you offer trip cancellation insurance?
A. We don’t – but there are a lot of companies in the marketplace that do. One is Allianz Travel Insurance, another is Arch Roam Right Insurance, and the premiere leader in the travel insurance industry is probably Travelers Insurance Company. You can get online quotes from all these providers.
Q. Can I do a replacement?
A. Absolutely. If for some reason you can’t make the trip, gift it to someone who can.
Q. What are the seats that are included in the package?
A. The Stadium level or 100-level seats are included. They are also our bestsellers. They are referred to as theater-style seating; in other words, you are elevated up above the individuals seated in front of you – and so on – as in a theater. They are the unmovable wooden fixed seats, which you would find in a baseball park.
Q. What are field seats?
A. The are the portable chairs on the field itself. Often referred to as floor seating. You are somewhat closer to the main stages – however, you are seated on a flat surface.
Q. What are VIP Gold Circle seats?
A. The Gold Circle seats are the closest seating vantage point to the 2 main stages. They are the crème de la crème of concert seating. You can’t get any better than that concert seating vantage point.
Q. What is VIP Club seating?
A. The Club is the 200-level, it’s a huge oblong-shaped air-conditioned ballroom that gives you both indoor and outdoor access. You can chill inside and venture outside in your Club-level reserved seat. There are 4’ x 4’ dining tables and movable chairs which make room for wheelchair disability very effective. Food concession vendors are selling every type of food imaginable. Also, there is a DJ and dance floor – and he rocks the house the entire night. The Club is for those seeking the ultimate concert experience, food and beverages, a place to see – and be scene in air-conditioned comfort. Be sure to navigate to the stadium seating chart on this site.
Q. Can I bring a cooler into the venue?
A. No. Most concert venues these days have strict policies about what can be brought in. Ladies must have visible, clear, see-thru purses and handbags. Certain liquids and propellants are not allowed. You can bring your binoculars – but not the case. You can bring your camera – but not the camera case.