Cheap bus tickets from Indianapolis to Madison

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Bus from Indianapolis to Madison: Journey Information

There are 8 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Madison. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Madison usually takes around 9 hours and 7 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance: 283 mi (456 km)
Shortest duration: 7h 5m
Cheapest price: TRY 2,195.06
Trips per day: 1
Most frequent service: Greyhound
Bus lines: 3

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Indianapolis to Madison Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Indianapolis to Madison:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Indianapolis to Madison?

Bus tickets for a trip from Indianapolis to Madison cost TRY 3,211.09 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 Madison by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Indianapolis to Madison in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from TRY 2,684 to TRY 4,685. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 24, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Madison this week, bus tickets are available starting at TRY 2,684.

Average bus ticket prices from Indianapolis to Madison by month

Taking the bus from Indianapolis to Madison is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only TRY 3,514. If you're planning to take the bus from Indianapolis to Madison during May, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of TRY 4,538. 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 14 days in advance. This way, you can save up to TRY 1,473.78 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Indianapolis to Madison?

There are 3 bus lines from Indianapolis to Madison available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 5 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak Thruway	2	10h 49m	TRY 4,684.87
FlixBus US	4	8h 28m	TRY 3,472.22
Greyhound	5	9h 10m	TRY 3,795.59

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 Madison start at TRY 4,684.87. 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 4 trips per day from Indianapolis to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only TRY 3,472.22.
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 Madison every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 10 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Madison usually start from TRY 2,438.57.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Madison

There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Indianapolis to Madison 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. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Indianapolis to Madison; ticket prices start at TRY 3,953.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 7 minutes to cover the 283 miles from Indianapolis to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 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)

283

Distance (km)

456

The first bus leaves at 3:15am and the last bus leaves at 10:25am. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

3:15am

Latest bus

10:25am

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Madison at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, 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

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

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.

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 Indianapolis?

Main departure station: Indianapolis Union Station

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 Madison?

Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Buses arrive in Madison at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Madison:

University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

Need a return trip from Madison to Indianapolis?

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