Cheap bus tickets from Indianapolis to Columbus

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Bus from Indianapolis to Columbus: Journey Information

There are 21 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Columbus. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Columbus usually takes around 10 hours and 58 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance
168 mi (270 km)
Shortest duration
3h 25m
Cheapest price
$31.98
Trips per day
6
Most frequent service
Barons Bus Lines
Bus lines
3

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Indianapolis to Columbus Bus Schedule

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How much is a bus ticket from Indianapolis to Columbus?

Bus tickets for a trip from Indianapolis to Columbus cost $78.17 on average. Consider it a bargain when you can snag tickets for less than $78.17. 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 Indianapolis to Columbus by travel date

$105$70$35AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Indianapolis to Columbus in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $87 to $102. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 24, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Columbus this week, bus tickets are available starting at $87.

Average bus ticket prices from Indianapolis to Columbus by month

$100$80$60$40$20JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Indianapolis to Columbus is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $62. If you're planning to take the bus from Indianapolis to Columbus during February, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $94. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$25010

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 $24.46 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Indianapolis to Columbus?

There are multiple buses that travel from Indianapolis to Columbus, including Barons Bus Lines, Greyhound, FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Barons Bus Lines1514h 46m$122.93
Greyhound34h 52m$40.06
FlixBus US34h 4m$42.19
  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Indianapolis to Columbus from $73. There are 15 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Indianapolis to Columbus and you can expect on average to pay $122.93 for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Columbus. In Indianapolis, Barons Bus Lines departs to Columbus from 350 S Illinois St. In Columbus, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Columbus (E Mound St) and 2 other stations.

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Indianapolis to Columbus takes 14 hours and 46 minutes, while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Columbus in 10 hours and 35 minutes.

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 15 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $73 for a weekend trip to Columbus.

  • 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 3 bus trips from Indianapolis to Columbus every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 52 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbus usually start from $31.98.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu
  • 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 Indianapolis to Columbus, and the average ticket for this route costs only $42.19.

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Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Columbus

There are 21 scheduled buses that travel from Indianapolis to Columbus every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 6 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

TRIPS PER DAY

21

DIRECT TRIPS

6

The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 58 minutes to cover the 168 miles from Indianapolis to Columbus. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 25 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)

168

DISTANCE (KM)

270

The first bus leaves at 12:15am and the last bus leaves at 11:25pm. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Columbus, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

12:15am

LATEST BUS

11:25pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Indianapolis to Columbus 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.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Wednesday

City Information

Indianapolis

IND-0IND-1IND-2

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.

Columbus

CMH-0CMH-1CMH-2

Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.

As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.

Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Indianapolis?

Main departure station: 350 S Illinois St

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

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
  • Indianapolis (W Vermont St)

Where does the bus arrive in Columbus?

Main arrival station: Columbus (E Mound St)

Buses arrive in Columbus at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus (E Mound St)
  • 845 N Wilson Rd
  • Columbus (E Mound St)
  • 100 E Rich St
  • Columbus (Airport)

Need a return trip from Columbus to Indianapolis?

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