Cheap coach tickets from Iowa City to Madison
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Coach from Iowa City to Madison: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity coaches per day from Iowa City to Madison. Travelling by coach from Iowa City to Madison usually takes around 19 hours and 41 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines coach can make the trip in 16 hours and 10 minutes.
- Distance
- 146 mi (235 km)
- Shortest duration
- 16h 10m
- Cheapest price
- US$168.00
- Trips per day
- 2
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Coach lines
- 1
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Iowa City to Madison Coach Timetable

There are several coach options that can take you from Iowa City to Madison:
See more detailsHow much is a coach ticket from Iowa City to Madison?
Coach tickets for a trip from Iowa City to Madison cost about US$168 when you book at the cheapest time, 7 days ahead. Any tickets cheaper than US$168 are a good deal. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find coach tickets at or below this price.
Average coach ticket prices from Iowa City to Madison by travel date
If you're planning to travel by coach from Iowa City to Madison in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from US$179 to US$182. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 9 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Madison this week, coach tickets are available starting at US$179.
Average coach ticket prices from Iowa City to Madison by month
Taking the coach from Iowa City to Madison is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only US$168. If you're planning to take the coach from Iowa City to Madison during December, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$182. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most coach companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your coach tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest coach tickets, book your trip at least 7 days in advance. This way, you can save up to US$11 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What coach companies travel from Iowa City to Madison?
There is one intercity coach company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Iowa City to Madison. Jefferson Lines is the one coach line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 19h 41m | US$175.32 |
Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity coach company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest coach service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, toilets, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their coach tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Iowa City to Madison with ticket prices as low as US$168.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Iowa City to Madison
There are usually only 2 coaches per day from Iowa City to Madison. However, neither coach offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer coaches during the trip.
Trips per day
2
Direct trips
0
The coach takes an average of 19 hours and 41 minutes to cover the 146 miles from Iowa City to Madison. However, the fastest coach only takes 16 hours and 10 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Distance (mi)
146
Distance (km)
235
The first coach leaves at 1:35 and the last coach leaves at 19:35. To see the times for all coaches from Iowa City to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest coach
1:35am
Latest coach
7:35pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for coaches, as many passengers take the coach to Madison 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, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the coach, travelling mid-week is your best bet.
Most crowded
Sunday
Least crowded
Wednesday
City Information
Iowa City



The old capital city of Iowa, Iowa City, is a historic area with plenty of quaint old buildings and beautiful landmarks. The most notable attraction is the Old Capitol Building in the middle of the University of Iowa's campus. The building's first floor is a museum dedicated to the state's history so that you can brush up on your Hawkeye State knowledge (we'll get you started: the Iowa state rock is the geode!). For more history and culture, hit up Plum Grove, the home of the first Governor of Iowa, and the University of Iowa Art Museum.
Thanks to its lively cultural scene, Iowa City's food scene is vibrant and diverse. One of the must-try establishments in the city is Short's Burger and Shine, which features a wide variety of burgers made from locally sourced meat. In addition, the Hamburg Inn No. 2 is an award-winning restaurant, with visitors including many past presidents.
Coach service to Iowa City arrives right downtown for easy access to Iowa City's highlights. Although there is a small municipal airport in Iowa City, most commercial flights will depart from nearby Cedar Rapids Airport or even from Des Moines, about 100 miles away.
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 coach/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in Iowa City?
Main departure station: Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
The Burlington Trailways Station in Iowa City is part of the Court St Transportation Center near downtown. Coaches usually board outside the multi-storey car park on Court Street. The station includes a large indoor waiting area with seating, toilets, and even a charging station for your devices. You can walk to three hotels, a sushi restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a Starbucks, and a bar in the immediate area, so you definitely won't have to travel hungry or thirsty. Greyhound and Burlington Trailways coaches depart from this station and connect Iowa City to Des Moines, Chicago, Omaha, and more cities throughout the Midwest.
All coach stations in Iowa City:
- Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
Where does the coach arrive in Madison?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
All coaches from Iowa City arrive at one main station in Madison.
Coach stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Need a return trip from Madison to Iowa City?
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