Cheap bus tickets from Columbus to New Orleans

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Bus from Columbus to New Orleans: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Columbus to New Orleans. Travelling by bus from Columbus to New Orleans usually takes around 1 day, 5 hours and 18 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 23 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance
799 mi (1285 km)
Shortest duration
23h 35m
Cheapest price
$157.33
Trips per day
3
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Bus lines
1

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Columbus to New Orleans Bus Schedule

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How much is a bus ticket from Columbus to New Orleans?

Bus tickets for a trip from Columbus to New Orleans cost about $194 when you book at the cheapest time, 14 days ahead. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to New Orleans. 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 Columbus to New Orleans by travel date

$270$180$90NovNov

If you're planning to travel by bus from Columbus to New Orleans in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $184 to $257. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 27, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to New Orleans this week, bus tickets are available starting at $202.

Average bus ticket prices from Columbus to New Orleans by month

$375$300$225$150$75JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Columbus to New Orleans is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $232. If you're planning to take the bus from Columbus to New Orleans during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $366. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$350$280$210$140$700

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 14 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $131.57 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Columbus to New Orleans?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Columbus to New Orleans. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US329h 18m$236.99
  • 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 3 trips per day from Columbus to New Orleans, and the average ticket for this route costs only $236.99.

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Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Columbus to New Orleans

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus to New Orleans 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.

Trips per day

3

Direct trips

0

The bus takes an average of 1 day, 5 hours and 18 minutes to cover the 1,285 kilometres from Columbus to New Orleans. However, the fastest bus only takes 23 hours and 35 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)

799

Distance (km)

1285

The first bus leaves at 9:45 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 11:30 p.m. To see the times for all buses from Columbus to New Orleans, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

9:45am

Latest bus

11:30pm

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travellers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in New Orleans. 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

Most crowded

Saturday

Least crowded

Tuesday

City Information

Columbus

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Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.

As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.

Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. Columbus has had no passenger trains since 1979, when its Union Station was demolished, so the nearest Amtrak trains, such as the Lake Shore Limited and the Capitol Limited, stop in other Ohio cities. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.

New Orleans

New Orleans, LA - NOL-0New Orleans, LA - NOL-1New Orleans, LA - NOL-2

New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred vacation destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travellers.

There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.

New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centres of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The airport is located not too far from the city centre, while the city’s main bus and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Columbus?

Main departure station: 100 E Rich St

Most buses depart from the main station in Columbus.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • 100 E Rich St

Where does the bus arrive in New Orleans?

Main arrival station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave - NOLAMT-0

Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transportation hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Buses operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous streetcars. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.

All bus stations in New Orleans:

  • Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Need a return trip from New Orleans to Columbus?

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