Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to Madison
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Chicago to Madison Bus Schedule
Bus from Chicago to Madison: Journey Information
There are 53 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Madison. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Madison usually takes around 3 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Coach USA bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 122 mi (197 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 35m |
| Cheapest price | $24.48 |
| Trips per day | 53 |
| Most frequent service | Coach USA |
| Bus lines | 5 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Chicago to Madison (Based on 56 ratings and reviews)
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There are several bus options that can take you from Chicago to Madison:
- Amtrak Thruway: 9 daily buses from $43
- Coach USA: 31 daily buses from $38
- FlixBus US: 9 daily buses from $24
- Greyhound: 5 daily buses from $31
- Jefferson Lines: 1 daily buses from $179
How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Madison?
Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Madison cost $39.08 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to Madison by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Madison in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $39 to $48. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 15, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Madison this week, bus tickets are available starting at $40.
Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to Madison by month
Traveling from Chicago to Madison by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $40 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $4.97 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Chicago to Madison?
There are multiple buses that travel from Chicago to Madison, including Amtrak Thruway, Coach USA, FlixBus US, Greyhound. Here is what you should know about the 5 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 9 | 3h 41m | $43.00 |
| Coach USA | 31 | 2h 43m | $38.10 |
| FlixBus US | 9 | 4h 26m | $43.21 |
| Greyhound | 5 | 5h 24m | $50.22 |
| Jefferson Lines | 1 | 21h 7m | $179.00 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Chicago to Madison start at $43. On average, there are 9 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Book Coach USA from Chicago to Madison from $38.1. There are 31 trips per day offered by Coach USA from Chicago to Madison and you can expect on average to pay $38.1 for a Coach USA ticket to Madison. In Chicago, Coach USA departs to Madison from Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility . In Madison, Coach USA arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center and one other station.
An average trip on Coach USA from Chicago to Madison takes 2 hours and 43 minutes , while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Madison in 2 hours and 35 minutes .
On weekends, Coach USA offers 32 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $38.1 for a weekend trip to Madison.
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 9 trips per day from Chicago to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only $43.21.
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 5 bus trips from Chicago to Madison every day, with the average journey taking around 5 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Madison usually start from $30.97.
Book Jefferson Lines from Chicago to Madison from $179. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Chicago to Madison and you can expect on average to pay $179 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Madison. In Chicago, Jefferson Lines departs to Madison from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In Madison, Jefferson Lines arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Chicago to Madison takes 21 hours and 7 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Madison in 2 hours and 35 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay $179 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Madison.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Chicago to Madison
Amtrak will take you from Chicago to Madison, but there are no direct trains between the two cities (which means you’ll need to transfer). The trip will take you at least 4 hours. A bus can get you from Chicago to Madison in as few as 3 hours, and tickets start as low as $15. Train tickets from Chicago to Madison are usually at least $45.
Madison, Wisconsin, is a great day trip from Chicago. At least 30 buses run daily between the cities going each way, so you could arrive in Madison as early as 10:15 a.m. and leave to head back to Chicago as late as 11:15 p.m.
Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Madison cost $24 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
There are 53 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Madison every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Chicago to Madison without transferring. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Madison; ticket prices start at $49.
TRIPS PER DAY
53
DIRECT TRIPS
53
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 34 minutes to cover the 122 miles from Chicago to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 35 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
122
DISTANCE (KM)
197
The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
12:00am
LATEST BUS
11:00pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
City Information
Chicago
Known for its innovative architecture, cultural contributions to jazz and house music, and of course that irresistible deep-dish pizza, the many sights and experiences in Chicago make it one of the best urban vacation destinations for millennials and a top destination in Illinois.
You can't beat the views of the city and Lake Michigan from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower; at over 1,300 feet, this is the highest observation deck in the U.S. Snap that classic selfie with the Bean in Millennium Park, then wander the many museums in nearby Grant Park. Navy Pier is a popular tourist hotspot for its parks, restaurants, and attractions right on Lake Michigan, and baseball fans will find paradise in Wrigleyville, home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and sports bars galore.
Chicago's enormous parks offer plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in gorgeous urban settings. Many companies offer kayak rentals or boat tours on the Chicago River, with special tours running on Saint Patrick's Day, when the entire river is dyed green. When you’re ready to buy some souvenirs from your epic trip, hit the big brand stores on the Magnificent Mile, or shop local in neighborhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theater, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.
Chicago is one of the biggest transportation hubs in the Midwest, and provides easy access to nearby destinations ideal for day trips, as well as international travel from two airports. Thanks to plenty of bus and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?
Main departure station: Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility
Buses to Madison leave from 5 stations in Chicago.
All bus stations in Chicago:
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility
- Union Station
- Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
- Dan Ryan Bus Station
- 5800 N Cumberland Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Madison?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Buses arrive in Madison at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Phillips 66
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
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