Cheap bus tickets from Indianapolis to Nashville

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Bus from Indianapolis to Nashville: Journey Information

There are 8 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Nashville. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Nashville usually takes around 5 hours and 59 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 20 minutes.

Distance
251 mi (405 km)
Shortest duration
5h 20m
Cheapest price
$37.98
Trips per day
8
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
4

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Indianapolis to Nashville Bus Schedule

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Indianapolis to Nashville (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

Lauren

November 27, 2019 - Visiting friends

Megabus
Pros: Clear directions, cheap Cons: The temperature in the bus, the space between the seats

How much is a bus ticket from Indianapolis to Nashville?

Bus tickets for a trip from Indianapolis to Nashville cost $53.50 on average. Tickets cheaper than $53.50 are an excellent bargain. 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 Nashville by travel date

$90$60$30AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Indianapolis to Nashville in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $52 to $79. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 17, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Nashville this week, bus tickets are available starting at $55.

Average bus ticket prices from Indianapolis to Nashville by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Indianapolis to Nashville is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $55. If you're planning to take the bus from Indianapolis to Nashville during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $65. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$2001020

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 7 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $25.50 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Indianapolis to Nashville?

There are multiple buses that travel from Indianapolis to Nashville, including Greyhound, Amtrak Thruway, FlixBus US, Tornado Bus. Here is what you should know about the 4 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound56h 4m$51.91
Amtrak Thruway25h 42m$79.00
FlixBus US26h 8m$52.54
Tornado Bus16h 10m$135.00
  • 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 5 bus trips from Indianapolis to Nashville every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Nashville usually start from $37.98.

    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
  • 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 Nashville start at $79. On average, there are 2 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 Nashville, and the average ticket for this route costs only $52.54.

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  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Nashville

There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Indianapolis to Nashville every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Indianapolis to Nashville without transferring.

TRIPS PER DAY

8

DIRECT TRIPS

8

The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 59 minutes to cover the 251 miles from Indianapolis to Nashville. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 20 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)

251

DISTANCE (KM)

405

The first bus leaves at 4:40am and the last bus leaves at 11:25pm. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Nashville, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

4:40am

LATEST BUS

11:25pm

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

Nashville

Nashville, TN - BNA-0Nashville, TN - BNA-1Nashville, TN - BNA-2

Nashville may be the capital of the state of Tennessee, but it’s actually much more famous as the country music capital of the world. If you are a fan of country music, or music in general, Nashville is a must-visit destination. Here you can visit several one-of-a-kind museums dedicated to the genre and attend amazing live performances every day at pretty much every bar or venue across town.

There are two places that you absolutely must visit while you’re in town: the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum (for obvious reasons), and the legendary Grand Ole Opry House, known as country’s most famous stage. Once you get those out of the way, head over to Broadway and snatch yourself a pair of cowboy boots before embarking on a tour of the many bars and restaurants that make up Nashville’s most famous street.

And if you’re looking to escape the country-ness of it all, you might want to head over to East Nashville where you will find hip new restaurants and bars full of young and artistic crowds. It’s definitely worth checking out the area, if only for the several Insta-ready murals you will find there.

While there is no Amtrak train service that goes to Nashville, there are several bus carriers that serve the city and the main bus station is located very conveniently downtown, not too far from all the hustle and bustle of Music City. The Nashville International Airport is located on the outskirts of the city, but there is a direct bus transit service that will take you from there all the way to the heart of town.

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)
  • 2911 W Washington St

Where does the bus arrive in Nashville?

Main arrival station: Greyhound: Bus Station

The primary bus station in Nashville is in the heart of the SoBro (“South of Broadway”) neighborhood, surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and music venues. From this station, you can catch Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, and Amtrak Thruway buses offering trips to destinations throughout the United States. To make traveling stress-free, this station is open 24 hours a day and includes restrooms, vending machines, and charging stations for your phone.

All bus stations in Nashville:

  • Greyhound: Bus Station
  • 4031 Nolensville Pike

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