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Columbus to Madison bus

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Columbus - Madison Bus Timetable

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Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Columbus to Madison. Traveling by bus from Columbus to Madison usually takes around 20 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 13 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance395 mi (635 km)
Shortest duration13h 55m
Cheapest price€36.84
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

What bus companies travel from Columbus to Madison?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Columbus to Madison that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 4 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US21d 3h 6m€76.68
Greyhound420h 53m€61.10
  • 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 2 trips per day from Columbus to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide coach 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 4 bus trips from Columbus to Madison every day, with the average journey taking around 20 hours and 53 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Madison usually start from €37.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 20 hours and 54 minutes to cover the 635 kilometers from Columbus to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 13 hours and 55 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Columbus to Madison for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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 bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

The first bus leaves at 05:00 and the last bus leaves at 14:00. To see the times for all buses from Columbus to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus to Madison every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.

City Information

Columbus

Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.

As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.

Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.

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 Columbus?

Bus Terminal - 111 E Town St  - CMHGLI2-0

Image credit: Antony-22

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Main departure station: Columbus, OH (Bus Station)

The Bus Terminal at 111 E Town St is Columbus’ hub for intercity bus service on a variety of carriers including Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, Barons Bus Lines, and Amtrak Thruway. Conveniently located in downtown Columbus, the station’s area features several parking lots, hotels, and fast food restaurants. The waiting area within the station building includes restrooms, vending machines, and even arcade-style games if you’re prone to boredom while waiting for the bus. From this station, you can travel to destinations including Cincinnati, Chicago, and New York.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus, OH (Bus Station)

  • Ohio State University

  • 100 E Rich St

Where does the bus arrive in Madison?

Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Madison.

Bus stations in Madison:

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Madison to Columbus?

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