Cheap bus tickets from Ann Arbor to Madison

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Bus from Ann Arbor to Madison: Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from Ann Arbor to Madison. Travelling by bus from Ann Arbor to Madison usually takes around 12 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance
293 mi (471 km)
Shortest duration
8h 10m
Cheapest price
$67.02
Trips per day
5
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
2

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Ann Arbor to Madison Bus Schedule

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Ann Arbor to Madison (Based on 1 rating and review)

5.0

5.0

Jigme

December 2, 2024 - Visiting friends

FlixBus US
Pros: Nice Cons: Nice Tips: Good
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How much is a bus ticket from Ann Arbor to Madison?

Bus tickets for a trip from Ann Arbor to Madison cost about $80 when you book at the cheapest time, 21 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than $80 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Ann Arbor to Madison by travel date

$180$120$60NovNov

If you're planning to travel by bus from Ann Arbor to Madison in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $81 to $166. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 4, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Madison this week, bus tickets are available starting at $81.

Average bus ticket prices from Ann Arbor to Madison by month

$125$100$75$50$25JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Ann Arbor to Madison is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $80. If you're planning to take the bus from Ann Arbor to Madison during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $112. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$150$120$90$60$300

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 21 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $55.33 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Ann Arbor to Madison?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Ann Arbor to Madison that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 4 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US28h 22m$128.98
Greyhound413h 21m$105.72
  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 2 trips per day from Ann Arbor to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only $128.98.

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  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 4 bus trips from Ann Arbor to Madison every day, with the average journey taking around 13 hours and 21 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Madison usually start from $67.02.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu

Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Ann Arbor to Madison

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Ann Arbor to Madison every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Ann Arbor to Madison; ticket prices start at $116.

Trips per day

5

Direct trips

0

The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 1 minute to cover the 471 kilometres from Ann Arbor to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 hours and 10 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Distance (mi)

293

Distance (km)

471

The first bus leaves at 12:35 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 1:35 p.m. To see the times for all buses from Ann Arbor to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

12:35am

Latest bus

1:35pm

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Madison at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, travelling mid-week is your best bet.

Most crowded

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Ann Arbor

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Ann Arbor is a quirky city filled with interesting secrets for curious travellers. The first thing to do in Ann Arbor is to check out its crown jewel, the University of Michigan. Boasting as many as 30 libraries and more than 16 museums, the university will fulfill every culturally-inclined traveller’s desires with ease. Nature lovers who enjoy a breath of fresh air should consider hopping on the Huron River Water Trail, which offers plenty of opportunities for paddling. Also don’t miss out on a show at the famous Michigan Theater, which offers retro shows and live acts.

Travellers can enjoy an authentic Ann Arbor culinary experience at Kerrytown, a historic quarter in the city. Located there are the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, as well as Zingerman’s Deli, both of which are local favourites.

The Amtrak station at 325 Depot St serves as the city’s main hub for both bus and train travel. From the station you can catch a bus or train to various cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and beyond. Ann Arbor is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport.

Madison

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Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colourful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Ann Arbor?

Main departure station: 325 Depot Street - Transit Station

Ann Arbor has two bus stations with service to Madison.

All bus stations in Ann Arbor:

  • 325 Depot Street - Transit Station
  • 325 Depot St - Amtrak Station

Where does the bus arrive in Madison?

Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Buses arrive in Madison at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are travelling with.

All bus stations in Madison:

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
  • Phillips 66

Need a return trip from Madison to Ann Arbor?

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