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Cheap bus tickets from Gainesville to Lakeland

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Gainesville to Lakeland Bus Schedule

Bus from Gainesville to Lakeland: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Gainesville to Lakeland. Traveling by bus from Gainesville to Lakeland usually takes around 5 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance114 mi (183 km)
Shortest duration4h 5m
Cheapest price$26.98
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines3

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What bus companies travel from Gainesville to Lakeland?

There are 3 bus lines from Gainesville to Lakeland available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. Each of these companies only runs one bus per day. The following table helps you compare your available choices:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US17h 30m$73.73
Greyhound14h 5m$35.76
Tornado Bus14h 11m$130.00
  • 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 1 trips per day from Gainesville to Lakeland, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • 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 1 bus trips from Gainesville to Lakeland every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Lakeland usually start from $27.

  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Gainesville to Lakeland

The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 114 miles from Gainesville to Lakeland. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 5 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.

Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Lakeland. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Gainesville to Lakeland, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Gainesville to Lakeland. One bus is a direct connection, meaning that you can stay on the same vehicle for the entire trip, without having to transfer onto a connecting bus at any point.

City Information

Gainesville

Blessed with amazing natural landmarks and a vibrant cultural life, Gainesville offers a whole new Florida experience that is far from the decadence often associated with the state. If you wish to explore creative works made by local artists, head over to the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, which features great exhibitions that dive into the life of many inventors and entrepreneurs. Another great museum to visit is the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. For those who want to marvel at the city’s natural landmarks, go for a hiking trip along the trails of Alfred A. Ring Park, or the Barr Hammock Preserve.

Gainesville’s local favorite is the 4 Rivers Smokehouse, which offers delicious briskets. For some of the freshest local dishes, head over to Alpin Bistro.

The main bus station in Gainesville is the Greyhound Bus Terminal located on NE 23rd Ave, which welcomes buses from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston and beyond. There is no rail service to Gainesville. However, the city is part of Amtrak’s network via the carrier’s Thruway bus service, which operates out of the same station. The main airport is the Gainesville Regional Airport, which lies in the northeast part of the city.

Lakeland

Lakeland, FL, US - LAK-0

Image credit: Dave Ouellette

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Lakeland is a city between Tampa and Orlando. It is known for its rich history and architectural sites, especially the Florida Southern College, which has buildings designed by the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright. History and art lovers in Lakeland can visit the Polk Museum of Art and check out the collection of artifacts and contemporary paintings. The Munn Park Historic District in Lakeland is another city highlight, boasting early 1900s architecture and a wide range of antique shops.

Downtown Lakeland offers explosive nightlife with a wide range of breweries and taprooms. If you're interested in something new, the city has seen a massive growth of kava bars in its area. The city is also known for its annual Lakeland Festival of Light, where you can join people to light up the mountain.

It is easy to visit Lakeland from other cities by train and bus. Amtrak and FlixBus US provide daily trips from tens of other cities to the town. The Lakeland Area Mass Transit District provides public transportation within the city.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Gainesville?

Main departure station: Rosa Parks Downtown Station

Buses to Lakeland leave from 3 stations in Gainesville.

All bus stations in Gainesville:

  • Rosa Parks Downtown Station

  • Gainesville Bus Stop

  • 3509 SW Williston Rd

Where does the bus arrive in Lakeland?

Main arrival station: Gow B. Fields Park & Ride @ US 98 N

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

All bus stations in Lakeland:

  • Gow B. Fields Park & Ride @ US 98 N

  • Mega Mercado

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