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Minneapolis to Madison bus

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Minneapolis to Madison Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 7 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.

Distance233 mi (374 km)
Shortest duration4h 45m
Cheapest price$29.00
Trips per day6
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines3

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Minneapolis to Madison

(Based on 22 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Sarah

June 2, 2024- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: Didn’t have to drive. Cons: It might be nice to stop somewhere besides Mc Donalds. Tips: Take food with you.

4.0

Carol

January 21, 2024- Visiting family

Greyhound

Good schedule on both ends

5.0

Noah

September 8, 2023- Visiting friends

Badger Bus

Pros: We arrived on time and the bus was air-conditioned. Cons: Took a longer stop than was planned but still arrived on time.

5.0

Ibrahim

May 7, 2023- Visiting family

Badger Bus

Pros: Easy to get home and sound. Cons: Good bus and good driver. Tips: Clean is number one. It’s already a clean bus.

4.0

Rachel

December 21, 2022- Visiting family

Badger Bus

Pros: Easy way to get to Madison without driving myself. Cons: Bus driver was an aggressive driver - it was snowing, raining, and icy and he just did not change his driving skills to the whether at hand. Tips: No outlets on bus.

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How much is a bus ticket from Minneapolis to Madison?

Bus tickets for a trip from Minneapolis to Madison cost $30.21 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 prices by travel date

$60$40$20OctOct

Bus tickets from Minneapolis to Madison are expected to cost between $30 and $54 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Madison within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $30. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

$50$40$30$20$10NDJFMAMJJASO
Taking the bus from Minneapolis to Madison is usually cheapest in January, when the average ticket price is only $33. If you're planning to take the bus from Minneapolis to Madison during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $39. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 20 days in advance to save $12.57 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Minneapolis to Madison?

There are 3 bus lines from Minneapolis to Madison available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 4 daily trips, FlixBus US usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Badger Bus25h 4m$54.62
FlixBus US45h 51m$40.18
Jefferson Lines37h 40m$29.00

  • 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.

  • 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 Minneapolis to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Book Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Madison from $29. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Minneapolis to Madison and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Madison. In Minneapolis, Jefferson Lines departs to Madison from Minneapolis and one other station. 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 40 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Madison in 4 hours and 45 minutes .

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Madison.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Because many passengers travel from Minneapolis to Madison 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Minneapolis to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 7 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.

City Information

Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN - MSP-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Minneapolis, MN - MSP-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Minneapolis, MN - MSP-2

Image credit: Unsplash

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?

Transportation Center - 950 Hawthorne Ave - MSPGLI-0

Image credit: Michael Hicks

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Minneapolis

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:

  • Minneapolis

  • University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE)

  • 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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