Cheap train tickets from Madison to Omaha

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Madison to Omaha. Travelling by train from Madison to Omaha usually takes 14 hours and 29 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 14 hours and 19 minutes.

Distance: 360 mi (580 km)
Fastest train: 14h 19m
Lowest price: $260.91
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Madison to Omaha Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Madison to Omaha?

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Madison to Omaha.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$307.64	Avg. Price$187.22Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration14h 29mFaster	Duration15h 5m

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Madison to Omaha (Based on 1 rating and review)

5.0

debbie

January 11, 2023 - Visiting friends

Amtrak

Pros: All the staff was incredibly helpful especially because I was extremely nervous about not knowing where to go/board or how to check my baggage. Everyone was very polite and professional. The man that staffed the Cafe cart was unbelievably friendly,honest and knowledgeable about what was worth the money as for as food went. My experience overall was wonderful and I will definitely be using Amtrak in the future. Cons: Staff explaining where the bathrooms, observation deck, and Cafe car are. The staff was rarely seen, which made asking questions was a bit difficult. Tips: Make sure if you're not checking your baggage, and instead carrying it on that it is easy to carry and able to be put in the luggage space above the seats because there isn't staff to help you do so. The stairwells are extremely narrow and the isles tend to be a bit crowded, which makes getting your luggage on broad difficult. The luggage space above the seats is pretty high up as well so be prepared if your not tall.

There are several train options that can take you from Madison to Omaha:

Amtrak tickets: $261 one-way

See more details

Price trends for trains from Madison to Omaha

Average train ticket prices from Madison to Omaha by travel date

Average train ticket prices from Madison to Omaha by month

Prices as travel date approaches

Which train should you take from Madison to Omaha?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Madison to Omaha. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	14h 29m	$307.64

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned washroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there is 1 Amtrak train from Madison to Omaha every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $260.91.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Madison to Omaha

While the train is the main method of transportation from Madison to Omaha, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Omaha to Madison. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Madison to Omaha for $116.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Madison and Omaha is approximately 580 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 14 hours and 29 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 14 hours and 19 minutes. Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

360

Distance (km)

580

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Madison at 8:30 a.m. and arrives in Omaha around 14 hours later.

First train

8:30am

Last train

8:50am

Trains from Madison to Omaha are the most crowded on Monday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Monday

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 Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colourful 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.

Omaha

Once known as the “Gateway to the West,” Omaha effortlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern growth. To catch an air of the city’s old-town vibe, head towards the Old Market quarter. Featuring brick-paved streets along with horse-drawn carriages, the area is an idyllic time capsule that offers a glimpse into the past. Also situated within the quarter are the Joslyn Art Museum and the Omaha Children’s Museum. Animal lovers might want to check out Omaha’s Doorly Zoo or the Aquarium, which features cute Rockhopper penguins as well as a 70-foot shark tunnel.

Steakhouses dominate the city’s restaurant scene, but there has been a recent boom of modern eateries. If you wish to enjoy these modern foods, Kitchen Table will offer everything you need.

The busiest bus station in the city is the Burlington Trailways Terminal downtown. For trains, the main Amtrak station is located on S 9th St, not too far from the bus station. Omaha is served by Amtrak’s California Zephyr line. The city’s principal airport is the Eppley Airfield, located 3 miles northeast of downtown.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Madison?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

There are two stations in Madison where you can board the train to Omaha.

All train stations in Madison:

University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

Where is the train station in Omaha?

Main arrival station: Omaha, Nebraska

Amtrak Station (1003 S 9th St) - OMAAMT-0

Omaha's Amtrak station first opened in 1983 and today is a stop for Amtrak's California Zephyr train line. The station welcomes about 25,000 passengers annually. On the premises, travellers can enjoy an indoor waiting area and vending machines to stock up on snacks before departure. The Amtrak station is located right in the heart of Omaha, and not far from the city's Little Italy district, with several bars, restaurants, and convenience stores in its immediate vicinity.

All train stations in Omaha:

Omaha, Nebraska

Need a return trip from Omaha to Madison?

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