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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from St Louis to Carbondale. Traveling by bus from St Louis to Carbondale usually takes around 2 hours and 2 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 2 hours,
| Distance | 82 mi (132 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 0m |
| Cheapest price | $31.40 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from St Louis to Carbondale?
$31.40 is the average price of a bus ticket from St Louis to Carbondale. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Average prices by travel date
Bus tickets from St Louis to Carbondale are expected to cost between $33 and $38 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Carbondale within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $33. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in April. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $36 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from St Louis to Carbondale in September, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $55 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 26 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C$7.29 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from St Louis to Carbondale?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from St Louis to Carbondale that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 2h 0m | $55.99 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 2h 3m | $32.76 |
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 St Louis to Carbondale start at $56. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
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 2 bus trips from St Louis to Carbondale every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Carbondale usually start from $31.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 2 minutes to cover the 132 kilometers from St Louis to Carbondale. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours. 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Carbondale 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, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from St Louis to Carbondale, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from St Louis to Carbondale. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from St Louis to Carbondale; ticket prices start at $77.84.
City Information
St Louis
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
Carbondale
Carbondale, one the best vacation destinations in Illinois, is best known for its proximity to Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the Gods: one of the most Instagrammed sites in the state. This quiet paradise is filled with lush trees bordering miles of hiking trails and scenic drives. The enormous sandstone bluffs in Giant City State Park attract rock climbers and rappellers looking for their next adventure. Boo Rochman Memorial Park offers a unique, family-friendly experience– a park filled with wooden sculptures of dragons, unicorns, wizards, and more. The park’s centerpiece, a massive wood and stone castle, features an elaborate jungle gym with stairs, tunnels, and an ogre or two.
Threaded by Main Street, downtown Carbondale is known for its Historic Town Square and charming, old-school architecture. The whole area is easily walkable, so you can peruse local shops for bike gear, art, vintage clothes, musical instruments, and everything in between. The SIU University Museum is a must-see, with no entry fee and a variety of exhibitions about the history and culture of the region. While in the area, explore Campus Lake and Pulliam Hall clocktower, or catch a football game at Saluki Stadium.
Bus services connect Seattle, Chicago, and Phoenix to Carbondale. Amtrak has multiple lines from the city to Memphis, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The nearest airport is Marion Williamson County Regional.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in St Louis?
Main departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
St Louis has two bus stations with service to Carbondale.
All bus stations in St Louis:
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Where does the bus arrive in Carbondale?
Main arrival station: 401 S Illinois Ave
All buses from St Louis arrive at one main station in Carbondale.
Bus stations in Carbondale:
401 S Illinois Ave
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Need a return trip from Carbondale to St Louis?
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