Cheap coach tickets from Carbondale to Columbia
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Coach from Carbondale to Columbia: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity coaches per day from Carbondale to Columbia. Travelling by coach from Carbondale to Columbia usually takes around 7 hours and 58 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 7 hours and 40 minutes.
- Distance
- 189 mi (304 km)
- Shortest duration
- 7h 40m
- Cheapest price
- £28.80
- Trips per day
- 2
- Most frequent service
- FlixBus US
- Coach lines
- 1
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Carbondale to Columbia Coach Timetable

There are several coach options that can take you from Carbondale to Columbia:
See more detailsHow much is a coach ticket from Carbondale to Columbia?
Coach tickets for a trip from Carbondale to Columbia cost about £32 when you book at the cheapest time, 9 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than £32 are an excellent bargain. 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 Carbondale to Columbia by travel date
If you're planning to travel by coach from Carbondale to Columbia in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from £32 to £38. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 14 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Columbia this week, coach tickets are available starting at £34.
Average coach ticket prices from Carbondale to Columbia by month
Taking the coach from Carbondale to Columbia is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only £28. If you're planning to take the coach from Carbondale to Columbia during December, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £54. 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 9 days in advance. This way, you can save up to £8.03 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What coach companies travel from Carbondale to Columbia?
There is one intercity coach company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Carbondale to Columbia. FlixBus US 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 7h 58m | £36.22 |
FlixBus US is the American branch of German coach company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern coach travel. The company offers cheap coach tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US coaches include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power sockets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 2 trips per day from Carbondale to Columbia, and the average ticket for this route costs only £36.22.






Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Carbondale to Columbia
There are usually only 2 coaches per day from Carbondale to Columbia. 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 7 hours and 58 minutes to cover the 189 miles from Carbondale to Columbia. However, the fastest coach only takes 7 hours and 40 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)
189
Distance (km)
304
The first coach leaves at 6:25 and the last coach leaves at 7:25. To see the times for all coaches from Carbondale to Columbia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest coach
6:25am
Latest coach
7:25am
The busiest and least busy days to travel on this route tend to change frequently from week to week. Weather, holidays, local events, and other factors can affect how crowded the coach is on any given day.
Most crowded
Sunday
Least crowded
Sunday
City Information
Carbondale
Carbondale, one the best holiday destinations in Illinois, is best known for its proximity to Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the Gods: one of the most Instagrammed sites in the state. This quiet paradise is filled with lush trees bordering miles of hiking trails and scenic drives. The enormous sandstone bluffs in Giant City State Park attract rock climbers and rappellers looking for their next adventure. Boo Rochman Memorial Park offers a unique, family-friendly experience– a park filled with wooden sculptures of dragons, unicorns, wizards, and more. The park’s centerpiece, a massive wood and stone castle, features an elaborate jungle gym with stairs, tunnels, and an ogre or two.
Threaded by Main Street, downtown Carbondale is known for its Historic Town Square and charming, old-school architecture. The whole area is easily walkable, so you can peruse local shops for bike gear, art, vintage clothes, musical instruments, and everything in between. The SIU University Museum is a must-see, with no entry fee and a variety of exhibitions about the history and culture of the region. While in the area, explore Campus Lake and Pulliam Hall clocktower, or catch a football game at Saluki Stadium.
Coach services connect Seattle, Chicago, and Phoenix to Carbondale. Amtrak has multiple lines from the city to Memphis, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The nearest airport is Marion Williamson County Regional.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in Carbondale?
Main departure station: 401 S Illinois Ave
Most coaches depart from the main station in Carbondale.
All coach stations in Carbondale:
- 401 S Illinois Ave
Where does the coach arrive in Columbia?
Main arrival station: 6401 Hwy 40 W
These are the two stations where coaches may stop when they arrive in Columbia.
Coach stations in Columbia:
- 6401 Hwy 40 W
- Wabash Station - E Ash St and N 10th St

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