5.0
Pros: Nice bus and nice drivers. Cons: Bus was 10 mins late arriving in Madison. Shit happens, I’m not upset. Tips: Great option for the price.
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Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from Madison to Saint Paul. Traveling by bus from Madison to Saint Paul usually takes around 6 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 225 mi (362 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 35m |
| Cheapest price | $40.03 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for buses from Madison to Saint Paul
(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Buses from Madison to Saint Paul
- FlixBus US: 2 daily buses from C$44
- Greyhound: 2 daily buses from C$46
- Jefferson Lines: 1 daily buses from C$40
How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Saint Paul?
$45.72 is the average price of a bus ticket from Madison to Saint Paul. 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 Madison to Saint Paul are expected to cost between $47 and $55 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Saint Paul within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $50. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
Monthly average prices
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Madison to Saint Paul, mark your calendar for January. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $46. However, taking the bus from Madison to Saint Paul during March is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $63. The best way to find deals on a trip in March is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 27 days in advance to save up to $68.80.
What bus companies travel from Madison to Saint Paul?
There are 3 bus lines from Madison to Saint Paul available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. Greyhound offers the most choice in regards to departure times, with a couple of different times on its daily bus schedule.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 5h 14m | $71.02 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 9h 2m | $70.63 |
| Jefferson Lines | 1 | 5h 40m | $40.03 |
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 Saint Paul, 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 2 bus trips from Madison to Saint Paul every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Saint Paul usually start from $46.
Book Jefferson Lines from Madison to Saint Paul from $40. There are 1 Jefferson Lines schedules from Madison to Saint Paul and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Saint Paul. In Madison, Jefferson Lines departs to Saint Paul from University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center and no other station. In Saint Paul, Jefferson Lines arrives at Union Depot and no other station.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Madison to Saint Paul takes 5 hours and 40 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Saint Paul in 4 hours and 35 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Saint Paul.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 54 minutes to cover the 362 kilometers from Madison to Saint Paul. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 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.
Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Saint Paul. 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, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 12:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Saint Paul, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Saint Paul every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 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 Madison to Saint Paul; ticket prices start at $64.87.
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.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Madison?
Main departure station: Phillips 66
Buses to Saint Paul leave from 3 stations in Madison.
All bus stations in Madison:
Phillips 66
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
Where does the bus arrive in Saint Paul?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Union Depot
Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Union Depot has a remarkable history dating back to 1881. It remains the major transport hub of Saint Paul, as well as the designated station for Amtrak service in the Twin Cities. Besides the long-haul Empire Builder train, the station serves Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity buses and connects to local public transit. Within the Union Depot complex, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop, rental car agency, and can even join a public tour to admire the architecture and learn about the station’s storied past.
Bus stations in Saint Paul:
Union Depot
629 Rice Street
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