Cheap bus tickets from Minneapolis to Madison
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Bus from Minneapolis to Madison: Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from Minneapolis to Madison. Traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Madison usually takes around 6 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Badger Bus bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 233 mi (374 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $24.48 |
| Trips per day | 6 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 4 |
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Minneapolis to Madison Bus Schedule
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Minneapolis to Madison (Based on 25 ratings and reviews)
5.0
July 6, 2026 - Visiting family
Jefferson Lines5.0
May 18, 2025 - Business
Badger Bus5.0
December 17, 2024 - Visiting family
FlixBus US4.0
June 2, 2024 - Visiting family
Greyhound5.0
April 20, 2024 - Visiting family
Jefferson LinesThere are several bus options that can take you from Minneapolis to Madison:
- Jefferson Lines: 4 daily buses from $29
- FlixBus US: 2 daily buses from $27
- Greyhound: 1 daily buses from $24
- Badger Bus: 2 daily buses from $46
How much is a bus ticket from Minneapolis to Madison?
Bus tickets for a trip from Minneapolis to Madison cost $38.88 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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 Minneapolis to Madison by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Minneapolis to Madison in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $34 to $65. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 14, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Madison this week, bus tickets are available starting at $41.
Average bus ticket prices from Minneapolis to Madison by month
Traveling from Minneapolis to Madison by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $49 whenever you decide to travel.
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 20 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $14.11 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Minneapolis to Madison?
There are multiple buses that travel from Minneapolis to Madison, including Jefferson Lines, FlixBus US, Greyhound, Badger Bus. Here is what you should know about the 4 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 4 | 7h 45m | $44.22 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 5h 43m | $52.57 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 5h 30m | $49.21 |
| Badger Bus | 2 | 5h 7m | $47.76 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Madison from $29. There are 4 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Madison and you can expect on average to pay $44.22 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Madison. In Minneapolis, Jefferson Lines departs to Madison from University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE) and 3 other stations. In Madison, Jefferson Lines arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Madison takes 7 hours and 45 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Madison in 6 hours and 45 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 4 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $29 for a weekend trip to Madison.
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 Minneapolis to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only $52.57.
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 1 bus trips from Minneapolis to Madison every day, with the average journey taking around 5 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Madison usually start from $24.48.
Badger Bus is a family-owned bus company running routes across Wisconsin and Minnesota, such as Minneapolis to Madison. It shares the same fuzzy mascot as the University of Wisconsin, which makes it a popular choice for students traveling between the Madison and Milwaukee campuses. The easily recognizable red, white, and black buses feature free reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seats with outlets, and clean restroom facilities.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Madison
Bus tickets for a trip from Minneapolis to Madison cost $38.88 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Minneapolis to Madison 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
8
DIRECT TRIPS
6
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 233 miles from Minneapolis to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 45 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)
233
DISTANCE (KM)
374
The first bus leaves at 7:45am and the last bus leaves at 3:30pm. To see the times for all buses from Minneapolis to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
7:45am
LATEST BUS
3:30pm
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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
City Information
Minneapolis
Situated along the bank of the Mississippi River in Minnesota, Minneapolis is one of the biggest and most exciting cities to visit in the Midwest. It is home to the Chain of Lakes, where you can swim, fish, boat and even bike or walk along the lakeside trails. It’s no wonder Minneapolis is among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities!
Although it's known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis has a lot more to offer than gorgeous lakes, wetlands, and waterfalls. Shopaholics can spend days getting lost in the Mall of America, which boasts over 500 stores and an indoor theme park. If you're visiting Minneapolis on a romantic vacation, Minneapolis' bustling theater district offers excellent date nights from dozens of theater companies. Or, for a less musical and more brews-ical date option, head to one of 62 top-rated breweries in the #2 best city in America for craft beer.
Minneapolis can be visited in any season, but keep in mind that it becomes a frigid, snowy destination in the winter. January hovers around 0° Fahrenheit, but it's worth bundling up to enjoy the St. Paul Winter Carnival, or hockey and ice skating on any of the 13 lakes in the city. Have we mentioned how great the lakes are?
If you're visiting both of the Twin Cities, you can take public transport from downtown Minneapolis to Saint Paul in about 30 minutes. Public transit also connects downtown to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Thanks to bus stations throughout Minneapolis, traveling by bus is the easiest way to arrive directly in the middle of the action and begin your adventure.
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 Minneapolis?
Main departure station: 516 2nd Ave North
Located in Central Minneapolis at 950 Hawthorne Ave, the Minneapolis Bus Station is a gateway to nearby cities throughout Minnesota and the Midwest. Greyhound and Jefferson Lines buses operate routes from this station to major cities such as Milwaukee or Chicago and beyond. From the Minneapolis Bus Station, it is a short 12-minute walk to Target Field Station where you can connect to light rail service throughout the city. Vending machines offer snacks or drinks within the station, or head one block south to Hennepin Ave for a variety of restaurant options for hungry travelers.
All bus stations in Minneapolis:
- 516 2nd Ave North
- University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE)
- Minneapolis-St Paul Airport
- 1 Veterans Drive
- 8000 Ikea Way
Where does the bus arrive in Madison?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Madison.
All bus stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
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