5.0
Pros: Location for PICKUP and dropoff both worked easily for me. Very punctual. Smooth ride. Experienced drivers. Cons: Driver might check with clients regarding temperature in the van. Tips: Decent price for safe easy connection.
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Journey Information
There are 4 intercity buses per day from Saint Paul to La Crosse. Traveling by bus from Saint Paul to La Crosse usually takes around 3 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 121 mi (195 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 20m |
| Cheapest price | US$27.00 |
| Trips per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for buses from Saint Paul to La Crosse
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Price trends for buses from Saint Paul to La Crosse
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
What bus companies travel from Saint Paul to La Crosse?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Saint Paul to La Crosse that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Amtrak Thruway usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 3 | 3h 28m | US$52.00 |
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 3h 25m | US$27.00 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Saint Paul to La Crosse start at US$52. On average, there are 3 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Book Jefferson Lines from Saint Paul to La Crosse from US$27. There are 2 Jefferson Lines schedules from Saint Paul to La Crosse and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to La Crosse. In Saint Paul, Jefferson Lines departs to La Crosse from Union Depot and no other station. In La Crosse, Jefferson Lines arrives at University of Wisconsin and 1 other station.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Saint Paul to La Crosse takes 3 hours and 25 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to La Crosse in 3 hours and 20 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to La Crosse.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 27 minutes to cover the 195 kilometers from Saint Paul to La Crosse. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 20 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 La Crosse. 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go."
The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 3:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Saint Paul to La Crosse, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Saint Paul to La Crosse every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 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 Saint Paul to La Crosse; ticket prices start at US$17.00.
City Information
Saint Paul
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.
For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.
Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.
La Crosse
A busy college town blessed with lush and beautiful green zones, La Crosse is one of the best places to just chill out and unwind. The city's star attraction is the Grandad Bluff, which offers a panoramic view of the entire city and the Mississippi River. Hiking up the hill will certainly be a challenge, but the view from the top makes it all worthwhile. While staying in the city, don't miss out on the chance to go on a cruise aboard the La Crosse Queen, a replica paddle steamer, and unwind while enjoying the sunset. For some family fun, head over to the Children's Museum of La Crosse.
La Crosse does have a pretty reputable food scene, with a strong focus on beers and cheese curds. For an upscale dining experience with the best local dishes, The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern is a local favorite that has a stellar reputation. Or head to the Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery for a combination of good foods and drinks.
La Crosse is easily accessible by bus or train, and regional flights operate out of the La Crosse Municipal Airport.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Saint Paul?
Main departure station: Minn-St Paul Airport - 4300 Glumack Dr
Saint Paul has two bus stations with service to La Crosse.
All bus stations in Saint Paul:
Minn-St Paul Airport - 4300 Glumack Dr
Union Depot
Where does the bus arrive in La Crosse?
Image credit: Adam Moss
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 601 St Andrew St
The La Crosse Amtrak Station is located in the city's Lower Northside neighborhood at 601 St Andrew St. The station was built in 1926, and even though it has undergone several renovations, many of the original elements – including the marble surfaces and wooden ticket counters – have been preserved. In fact, the station is on the National Register of Historic Places. The station serves as the only stop in La Crosse for Amtrak's Empire Builder train line. At the station, travelers can find a spacious indoor waiting area, as well as an information desk with brochures and guides for local attractions. In addition, since the station is located in a residential neighborhood, various restaurants and bars are in close proximity.
Bus stations in La Crosse:
601 St Andrew St
University of Wisconsin
314 Jay St
Get around town with Moovit
Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in La Crosse. Download here
Need a return trip from La Crosse to Saint Paul?
Search Bus Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more