Cheap train tickets from Madison to South Bend
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Madison to South Bend. Travelling by train from Madison to South Bend usually takes 7 hours and 20 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 6 hours and 9 minutes.
- Distance
- 187 mi (302 km)
- Fastest train
- 6h 9m
- Lowest price
- US$66.00
- Trains per day
- 6
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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Madison to South Bend Train Timetable
Is it better to travel by coach or train from Madison to South Bend?
There are usually 4 daily coach trips from Madison to South Bend.
Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceUS$77.41 | Avg. PriceUS$56.35Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration7h 20m | Duration6h 42mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from Madison to South Bend:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Madison to South Bend?
In the last month, train tickets from Madison to South Bend cost about US$66 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$19.44 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Madison to South Bend by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Madison to South Bend will cost between US$66 and US$73. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Madison to South Bend by month
Ticket prices for the train from Madison to South Bend often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in December when the average ticket price is only US$66. If you're thinking of travelling from Madison to South Bend during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$84 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Madison to South Bend on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about US$19.44 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Madison to South Bend?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Madison to South Bend. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 6 | 7h 20m | US$77.41 |
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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 6 Amtrak trains from Madison to South Bend every day, as well as 10 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from US$66.










Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Madison to South Bend
While the train is the main method of transport from Madison to South Bend, 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 coach or express shuttle.
There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your hand luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from South Bend to Madison. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Madison to South Bend for US$36.
Trains per day
6
Direct trains
0
The distance between Madison and South Bend is approximately 187 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 20 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 9 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Distance (mi)
187
Distance (km)
302
The earliest train departs Madison at 11:30 while the last train of the day leaves at 16:50. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.
First train
11:30am
Last train
4:50pm
Trains from Madison to South Bend are the most crowded on Sunday. 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
Sunday
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 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.
South Bend



South Bend is quite a small city in Indiana, but this town offers plenty of beautiful landmarks and outdoor activities that will keep you captivated. When visiting South Bend, don't miss the Century Center, which not only hosts some of the best exhibitions in town but also boasts a great view towards the nearby St Joseph River, making it a particularly photogenic spot. The North/South Continental Divide is one particular point of interest, just a bit further down the US 20 bypass. Immerse yourself in nature at Shiojiri Niwa, a Japanese garden with more than twenty different large plants.
Though a small town, South Bend still has plenty of great dining options on its plate. For the best locally sourced burgers and a killer view of the river, check out Oaken Bucket Restaurant. If you can splurge a little bit, LaSalle Grill offers some of the finest dishes in town!
South Bend is a convenient location to reach from anywhere in the Midwest, with several coach stations in the city and Amtrak service stopping at a station close to downtown. In addition, South Bend International Airport is very close to the city and offers flights to domestic and international destinations.
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 South Bend.
All train stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
Where is the train station in South Bend?
Main arrival station: 2702 W Washington St


The South Bend Amtrak Station opened more than 50 years ago. In 1970, the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad constructed the station, and South Shore Line was the main rail provider until 1992. Located in the cultural hub of “Michiana,” the station is near the Notre Dame University campus. Today, the South Bend Station is served by Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited lines, connecting South Bend with New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. The practical one-story concrete block station is painted a vivid, deep blue. Passengers can wait for trains on the spacious porch beside the tracks. A small shelter is also accessible on the adjacent platform.
Train stations in South Bend:
- 2702 W Washington St
Need a return trip from South Bend to Madison?
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