Cheap bus tickets from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA
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Bus from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA. Traveling by bus from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA usually takes around 17 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 14 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 465 mi (748 km) |
| Shortest duration | 14h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $81.96 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA Bus Schedule
There are several bus options that can take you from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA?
Bus tickets for a trip from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA cost $93.84 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $82 to $107. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 6, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to New Orleans, LA this week, bus tickets are available starting at $82.
Average bus ticket prices from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA by month
Taking the bus from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $79. If you're planning to take the bus from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA during February, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $166. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
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 8 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $64.55 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 3 | 18h 10m | $139.62 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 16h 19m | $109.91 |
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 3 trips per day from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA, and the average ticket for this route costs only $139.62.
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, FL to New Orleans, LA every day, with the average journey taking around 16 hours and 19 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to New Orleans, LA usually start from $81.96.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA 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. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA; ticket prices start at $357.
Trips per day
3
Direct trips
0
The bus takes an average of 17 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 465 miles from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA. However, the fastest bus only takes 14 hours and 30 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.
Distance (mi)
465
Distance (km)
748
The first bus leaves at 8:20am and the last bus leaves at 11:55pm. To see the times for all buses from Gainesville, FL to New Orleans, LA, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
8:20am
Latest bus
11:55pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to New Orleans, LA 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.
Most crowded
Sunday
Least crowded
Thursday
City Information
Gainesville, FL
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.
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred vacation destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travelers.
There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.
New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centers of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The airport is located not too far from the city center, while the city’s main bus and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Gainesville, FL?
Main departure station: Rosa Parks Downtown Station
Gainesville, FL has two bus stations with service to New Orleans, LA.
All bus stations in Gainesville, FL:
- Rosa Parks Downtown Station
- Gainesville Bus Stop
Where does the bus arrive in New Orleans, LA?
Main arrival station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transportation hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Buses operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous streetcars. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.
All bus stations in New Orleans, LA:
- Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
Need a return trip from New Orleans, LA to Gainesville, FL?
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