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Cheap bus tickets from East Lansing to Detroit

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East Lansing to Detroit Bus Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from East Lansing to Detroit?

There are usually 2 daily train trips from East Lansing to Detroit.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$32.06

Avg. Price

$109.85

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

14

Daily Trips

2

Duration

Duration

3h 51m

Duration

7h 50m

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Bus from East Lansing to Detroit: Journey Information

There are 13 intercity buses per day from East Lansing to Detroit. Traveling by bus from East Lansing to Detroit usually takes around 3 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest Indian Trails bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance78 mi (126 km)
Shortest duration2h 50m
Cheapest price$30.57
Trips per day4
Most frequent serviceIndian Trails
Bus lines1

Price trends for buses from East Lansing to Detroit

Average bus ticket prices from East Lansing to Detroit by travel date

$42$28$14NovNov

Average bus ticket prices from East Lansing to Detroit by month

$35$28$21$14$7DJFMAMJJASON

Prices as travel date approaches

$35$28$21$14$73020100

What bus companies travel from East Lansing to Detroit?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from East Lansing to Detroit. Indian Trails connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Indian Trails133h 44m$32.06
  • Book Indian Trails from East Lansing to Detroit from $31. There are 13 Indian Trails schedules from East Lansing to Detroit and you can expect on average to pay for a Indian Trails ticket to Detroit. In East Lansing, Indian Trails departs to Detroit from East Lansing (Michigan Flyer) and 1 other station. In Detroit, Indian Trails arrives at Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St and no other station.

    An average trip on Indian Trails from East Lansing to Detroit takes 3 hours and 44 minutes , while the fastest available Indian Trails trip will get you to Detroit in 2 hours and 50 minutes .

    On weekends, Indian Trails offers 13 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Detroit.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from East Lansing to Detroit

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 43 minutes to cover the 126 kilometers from East Lansing to Detroit. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 50 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.

"Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Detroit. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week."

The first bus leaves at 12:00pm and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from East Lansing to Detroit, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 13 scheduled buses that travel from East Lansing to Detroit every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from East Lansing to Detroit; ticket prices start at $48.63.

City Information

East Lansing

East Lansing, a city shockingly located just east of Lansing, is primarily known as the home of Michigan State University. In fact, around half of its population is composed of students, and some of the city's most visited attractions are situated on the college campus. Among them are the historic W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, the 104-foot-tall Beaumont Tower, the contemporary Broad Art Museum, and the renowned Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Aside from its vibrant college life, East Lansing is also known for its yearly events, such as The East Lansing Film Festival, the largest of its kind in the entire state.

Lake Lansing is a go-to for swimming, fishing, or just getting some fresh air, but you'll also find parks and golf courses all around the city. The tree-lined Grand River Avenue divides the MSU campus from the rest of the city; find some of the city's best shopping and dining in the Grand River area, including HopCat, Beggar's Banquet, and Barrio East Lansing.

Public transit buses connect East Lansing to the closest airport, the Capital Region International Airport. However, it's also easy to take an intercity bus to nearby travel hubs, Detroit and Chicago, by booking a ticket with Greyhound, Indian Trails, or Jefferson Lines. East Lansing is a stop on Amtrak's Blue Water line, which makes train travel in and out of the city a breeze.

Detroit

Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travelers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Art, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.

As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favorite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.

The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travelers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in East Lansing?

Main departure station: East Lansing (Michigan Flyer)

East Lansing has two bus stations with service to Detroit.

All bus stations in East Lansing:

  • East Lansing (Michigan Flyer)

  • 1240 S. Harrison

Where does the bus arrive in Detroit?

Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St - DETGLI-0

Image credit: Dane

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Main arrival station: Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St

Located near hip Corktown, the Detroit Greyhound Bus Station is minutes away from local breweries, diverse restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. Besides Greyhound, many other bus carriers serve this station, including Indian Trails, Barons Bus Lines, Miller Transportation, and Jefferson Lines. For travelers’ convenience, the station offers massive parking lots, clean restrooms, and lockers to rent. The station is a short walk from several local bus stops, and about a 15 minute walk from the closest light rail station to connect to neighborhoods throughout Detroit.

Bus stations in Detroit:

  • Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St

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