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How to get to Madison by bus
| Routes | 26 |
| Trips per day | 169 |
| bus lines | 7 |
| Stations | 7 |
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About 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
Image credit: Corey Coyle
Link to image attributionThe Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a parking lot where travelers can catch local Madison Metro buses throughout the city, as well as intercity buses on Amtrak Thruway heading to destinations like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee. For those parking before riding, the lot has both daily and overnight parking available for free. Although there is no station building, bus shelters line the bus lanes, and there is easy access to the next-door gas station and Arby’s, where you can grab a bite or hang out indoors before the bus arrives. The Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a few miles outside of downtown Madison, but several convenience stores, restaurants, and hotels are still in the direct vicinity.
The Phillips 66 on Collins Ct is a gas station where Greyhound buses stop in Madison. The bus stops outside the gas station, and inside, Phillips 66 offers convenient snacks and services for travelers. You can grab a coffee or quick bite to enjoy on the bus or use the available restroom or ATM. The surrounding area also offers a few restaurants and hotels for more extended stays. The station is located a few miles outside of Madison’s downtown area, but it is easy to access local public transportation across the street at the Dutch Mill Park & Ride.
Popular bus stations in Madison:
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
Phillips 66
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
E Johnson-E Gorham at N Pinckney St
E Washington - E Johnson St
What bus companies travel to Madison, Wisconsin?
Located in Wisconsin, Madison is accessible by bus from 26 other cities. You can choose from 169 daily scheduled trips when you search for buses to Madison on Wanderu. Coach USA usually has the most buses on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Train tickets to Madison are also available.
Bus companies serving Madison
| Bus | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 156 | 11h 3m | $81.16 |
| Megabus | 18 | 2h 9m | $25.50 |
| Greyhound | 16 | 18h 26m | $125.00 |
| Jefferson Lines | 13 | 5h 41m | $35.96 |
| Badger Bus | 6 | 1h 32m | $25.19 |
| Amtrak Thruway | 4 | 3h 46m | $44.25 |
| Coach USA | 1 | 2h 43m | $38.10 |
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.
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 buses are outfitted with power outlets, free WiFi, restrooms, and air conditioning for your comfort.
Badger Bus is a family-owned bus company running routes across Wisconsin and Minnesota. It shares the same fuzzy mascot as the University of Wisconsin, which makes it a popular choice for students traveling between the Madison and Milwaukee campuses. The easily recognizable red, white, and black buses feature free reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seats with outlets, and clean restroom facilities.
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.
Which bus carrier has the best service to Madison?
Based on customers travel reviews, travelers who booked on Wanderu rave about traveling to Madison by bus with Megabus giving them a 5 rating out of 5.
Travelers also mentioned that Badger Bus had the most comfortable bus service to Madison taking into account the seats and amenities that Badger Bus offers. They rate Badger Bus a 4.5 out of 5 when it comes to just how relaxing and enjoyable their experience was onboard.
If you are looking to arrive to Madison punctually, travelers suggest that Megabus has the best on time performance on their bus schedules to Madison, rating them a 5 based on their on time arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The busiest bus station in Madison is University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center. There are several other active stations in addition to this main station. The most popular bus stations in Madison are:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 3h 14m | $40.40 |
| Milwaukee | 1h 40m | $27.15 |
| Minneapolis | 5h 58m | $45.33 |
| New York | 1d 16h 41m | $241.05 |
| Saint Paul | 5h 44m | $48.64 |
Top bus routes to and from Madison
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