Cheap bus tickets from Iowa City to Madison
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Iowa City to Madison Bus Schedule
Bus from Iowa City to Madison: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Iowa City to Madison. Traveling by bus from Iowa City to Madison usually takes around 14 hours and 55 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 146 mi (235 km) |
| Shortest duration | 14h 55m |
| Cheapest price | SEK 1,715.27 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Iowa City to Madison?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Iowa City to Madison. Jefferson Lines is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 1 | 14h 55m | SEK 1,715.27 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Madison from SEK 1,715. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Iowa City to Madison and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Madison. In Iowa City, Jefferson Lines departs to Madison from Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St . In Madison, Jefferson Lines arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Madison takes 14 hours and 55 minutes .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Iowa City to Madison
The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 55 minutes to cover the 146 miles from Iowa City to Madison. 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.
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
There is usually only one bus per day from Iowa City to Madison. It leaves the station in Iowa City at 1:00am each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
City Information
Iowa City
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
The old capital city of Iowa, Iowa City, is a historic area with plenty of quaint old buildings and beautiful landmarks. The most notable attraction is the Old Capitol Building in the middle of the University of Iowa's campus. The building's first floor is a museum dedicated to the state's history so that you can brush up on your Hawkeye State knowledge (we'll get you started: the Iowa state rock is the geode!). For more history and culture, hit up Plum Grove, the home of the first Governor of Iowa, and the University of Iowa Art Museum.
Thanks to its lively cultural scene, Iowa City's food scene is vibrant and diverse. One of the must-try establishments in the city is Short's Burger and Shine, which features a wide variety of burgers made from locally sourced meat. In addition, the Hamburg Inn No. 2 is an award-winning restaurant, with visitors including many past presidents.
Bus service to Iowa City arrives right downtown for easy access to Iowa City's highlights. Although there is a small municipal airport in Iowa City, most commercial flights will depart from nearby Cedar Rapids Airport or even from Des Moines, about 100 miles away.
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 Iowa City?
Main departure station: Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
The Burlington Trailways Station in Iowa City is part of the Court St Transportation Center near downtown. Buses usually board outside the multi-story parking garage on Court Street. The station includes a large indoor waiting area with seating, restrooms, and even a charging station for your devices. You can walk to three hotels, a sushi restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a Starbucks, and a bar in the immediate area, so you definitely won't have to travel hungry or thirsty. Greyhound and Burlington Trailways buses depart from this station and connect Iowa City to Des Moines, Chicago, Omaha, and more cities throughout the Midwest.
All bus stations in Iowa City:
Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
Where does the bus arrive in Madison?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
All buses from Iowa City arrive at one main station in Madison.
All bus stations in Madison:
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
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