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Cheap bus tickets from Indianapolis to Normal

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Indianapolis to Normal Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Indianapolis to Normal?

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Indianapolis to Normal.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$58.88
Avg. Price
$127.71
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
2
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
3h 14m
Duration
10h 24m

Bus from Indianapolis to Normal: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Normal. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Normal usually takes around 5 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance158 mi (255 km)
Shortest duration3h 10m
Cheapest price$56.00
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceJefferson Lines
Bus lines3

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Indianapolis to Normal

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Kelsi

May 6, 2024- Visiting family

Pros: The whole trip went smooth entirely. 10/10 recommendations taking the trailway! Cons: Nothing. Tips: Bring a pillow and enjoy the ride!

What bus companies travel from Indianapolis to Normal?

There are 3 bus lines from Indianapolis to Normal 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
Amtrak Thruway13h 20m$62.00
FlixBus US211h 21m$69.57
Jefferson Lines13h 10m$56.00
  • 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. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Indianapolis to Normal start at $62. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • 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 2 trips per day from Indianapolis to Normal, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Book Jefferson Lines from Indianapolis to Normal from $56. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Indianapolis to Normal and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Normal. In Indianapolis, Jefferson Lines departs to Normal from 350 S Illinois St . In Normal, Jefferson Lines arrives at Bloomington .

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Indianapolis to Normal takes 3 hours and 10 minutes .

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Normal.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Normal

The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 54 minutes to cover the 158 miles from Indianapolis to Normal. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 10 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.

Because many passengers travel from Indianapolis to Normal at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Normal, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 6:00am. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Normal, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Indianapolis to Normal. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Indianapolis to Normal; ticket prices start at $69.00.

City Information

Indianapolis

Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.

Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.

Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.

Normal

Normal is a town in North Bloomington, adjacent to Bloomington. The town got its unique name in 1865 from the Illinois State Normal University, a normal school that is a teacher-training institution. Normal features the Children's Discovery Museum, Illinois State University Planetarium and Carden Park for children, and the David Davis Mansion and McLean County Museum of History for history buffs. If you're interested in exploring the outdoors, you can take a walk on the Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary or Constitution Trail or play on the Ironwood Golf Course. Sports lovers can also check out the Redbird Arena, where basketball games are held.

Normal features a vibrant entertainment scene with different breweries and beer halls. You can participate in the Illinois Shakespeare Festival or watch shows at the Normal Theater. Normal also has a vineyard and wine bars, with most activities available in Uptown Normal, the micro-urban city center. The Uptown area has different entertainment venues, dining, and retail establishments.

You can visit Normal, Illinois, by train or bus. The city is accessible from many other cities by train, including Amtrak, Amtrak Texas Eagle, and Amtrak Lincoln Service. As for the bus lines, you can access the city from over 80 other cities onboard buses from Jefferson Lines, Amtrak Thruway, and Burlington Trailways.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

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Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 350 S Illinois St

Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.

All bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • E Washington St

Where does the bus arrive in Normal?

Main arrival station: Bloomington

Buses arrive in Normal at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Normal:

  • Bloomington

  • Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir

  • Burlington Trailways

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Normal by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Normal to Indianapolis?

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