Cheap bus tickets from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL
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Bus from Tampa to Gainesville: Journey Information
There are 7 intercity buses per day from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL. Traveling by bus from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL usually takes around 7 hours and 6 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 118 mi (190 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $21.48 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 3 |
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4.8 Rating
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4.5 Rating
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Tampa to Gainesville Bus Schedule
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Tampa to Gainesville (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
June 29, 2025 - Solo travel
RedCoach Business5.0
August 13, 2019 - Solo travel
RedCoach BusinessThere are several bus options that can take you from Tampa to Gainesville:
- FlixBus US: 6 daily buses from $21
- RedCoach Business: 1 daily buses from $48
- Greyhound: 1 daily buses from $37
How much is a bus ticket from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL?
Bus tickets for a trip from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL cost $35.48 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 Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $33 to $56. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 8, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Gainesville, FL this week, bus tickets are available starting at $45.
Average bus ticket prices from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL by month
Taking the bus from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $48. If you're planning to take the bus from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $60. 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 27 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $30.05 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Tampa to Gainesville?
There are multiple buses that travel from Tampa to Gainesville, including FlixBus US, RedCoach Business, Greyhound. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 6 | 8h 4m | $56.72 |
| RedCoach Business | 1 | 2h 40m | $55.74 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 8h 45m | $52.40 |
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 6 trips per day from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL, and the average ticket for this route costs only $56.72.
Book RedCoach Business from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL from $48.15. Typically there is one RedCoach Business schedule per day from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL and you can expect on average to pay $55.74 for a RedCoach Business ticket to Gainesville, FL. In Tampa, FL, RedCoach Business departs to Gainesville, FL from Tampa USF, FL. In Gainesville, FL, RedCoach Business arrives at 1956 Gale Lemerand Drive.
An average trip on RedCoach Business from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL takes 2 hours and 40 minutes.
On weekends, RedCoach Business offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay $48.15 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Gainesville, FL.
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 Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL every day, with the average journey taking around 8 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Gainesville, FL usually start from $37.47.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Tampa to Gainesville
Bus tickets for a trip from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL cost $35.48 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 7 scheduled buses that travel from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
TRIPS PER DAY
7
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 6 minutes to cover the 118 miles from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
118
DISTANCE (KM)
190
The first bus leaves at 6:20am and the last bus leaves at 10:35pm. To see the times for all buses from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
6:20am
LATEST BUS
10:35pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Tampa, FL to Gainesville, FL 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.
City Information
Tampa, FL
Sitting at the heart of the Gulf Coast, Tampa offers a perfect blend of cultural attractions and relaxing indulgences. Infused with a colorful mix of Cuban and Spanish cultural elements, the city of Tampa houses some of the most impressive historic buildings in the state, including the Henry B. Plant Museum, which boasts a permanent exhibition of Victorian-era artifacts. Animal lovers can also rejoice, as the city’s many aquariums and zoos will certainly melt your heart. Head down to the Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center for some heart-melting cuteness. And for animal lovers with a penchant for streaming docu-series, the Big Cat Rescue (yes, THAT one!) will be a great choice.
Most of the finest restaurants in town are concentrated around the Riverwalk area, which offers unrivaled views of the waterfront. Oystercatchers is reputed as one of the best establishments in town, so you should not miss out on it. Tampa’s cuisine features a very clear Cuban influence, and the best spot to try out these unique fusion dishes is at Ybor City.
The principal train station in the city is the Tampa Union Station, which is also a historic building. It is currently served by Amtrak. At the station, travelers can also take an Amtrak Thruway motorcoach to get to Orlando, Lakeland, Bradenton, etc. The main airport is Tampa International Airport, which is located just six miles west of downtown Tampa.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Tampa?
Main departure station: Tampa Bus Station
Located on Polk Street, the Greyhound Bus Terminal is Tampa’s main terminal for intercity bus service to cities such as Orlando, Miami, and Atlanta. Travelers on Greyhound will find ample parking in the surrounding area and a comfortable waiting room with restrooms and a small café inside. Conveniently located in the North Franklin St Historic District in downtown Tampa, the bus terminal is within a short walk of several dining options and connections to local public transit to travel within Tampa.
All bus stations in Tampa:
- Tampa Bus Station
- Tampa USF, FL
Where does the bus arrive in Gainesville?
Main arrival station: Rosa Parks Downtown Station
Buses arrive in Gainesville, FL at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Gainesville:
- Rosa Parks Downtown Station
- Gainesville Bus Stop
- 1956 Gale Lemerand Drive
Need a return trip from Gainesville to Tampa?
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