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Journey Information
There are 4 intercity buses per day from Madison to Louisville. Traveling by bus from Madison to Louisville usually takes around 11 hours and 19 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 384 mi (618 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 55m |
| Cheapest price | $63.11 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Louisville?
$78.21 is the average price of a bus ticket from Madison to Louisville. Any tickets cheaper than $78.21 can be considered a great deal. 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
Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Madison to Louisville is expected to range from $70 to $100. If you are looking to travel to Louisville within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $74. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $70 and can be found on May 22, 2024.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in August. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $91 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Madison to Louisville in September, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $152 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
What bus companies travel from Madison to Louisville?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Madison to Louisville that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 13h 44m | $183.52 |
| Greyhound | 3 | 11h 16m | $93.66 |
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 Madison to Louisville, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
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 3 bus trips from Madison to Louisville every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Louisville usually start from $63.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 19 minutes to cover the 618 kilometers from Madison to Louisville. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 hours and 55 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.
"Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Louisville, book your ticket for the last day of the week."
The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Louisville, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Louisville 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 Madison to Louisville; ticket prices start at $159.23.
City Information
Madison
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 Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful 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.
Louisville
A mecca for fans of sports, Louisville holds the honor of being the birthplace of many sports legends. Even non-sports fans should not miss out on the Muhammad Ali Center, where tourists can learn more about the life and legacy of the legendary boxer. Aside from permanent galleries dedicated to the boxer himself, the museum also features temporary exhibitions on topics such as race and gender equality. Another top highlight from the city is Churchill Downs, where the famous Kentucky Derby is hosted. Contrary to what people might imagine, the racing track is actually quite idyllic, and if there is one place you must visit in Louisville, this is probably the one. If you are looking for a unique experience, head towards the Louisville Mega Cavern. This cavern system was created out of a 19th-century limestone quarry and it features the world’s only underground zip line course.
Three things dominate the food scene in Louisville: barbecue, bourbon, and mint juleps. Some local favorites are Mark’s Feed Store and Feast BBQ. If you are looking for the finest bourbon, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is certainly a good call.
The central bus station in Louisville is the Bus Terminal on W Muhammad Ali Blvd, connecting the city with near and far destinations such as Cincinnati, Chicago and Nashville. There are no train tracks that run through the city. However, the city is still a part of Amtrak’s network via the carrier’s Thruway bus line. The Louisville International Airport fulfills air services for the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Madison?
Main departure station: Phillips 66
Buses to Louisville leave from 3 stations in Madison.
All bus stations in Madison:
Phillips 66
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Where does the bus arrive in Louisville?
Main arrival station: Louisville Bus Station
The Louisville Bus Terminal, located at 720 W Muhammad Ali Blvd, serves interstate Greyhound bus services. The station is equipped with restrooms, vending machines, and indoor seating. The station also has an adjoining cafeteria in case vending machine snacks aren't enough to satisfy your hunger. In addition, there is also a customer service and ticket kiosk where station staff can answer any questions you may have. The station is located in Downtown Louisville, only a short walk from the city's most exciting amenities and several nearby restaurants and convenience stores.
Bus stations in Louisville:
Louisville Bus Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Louisville to Madison?
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