Cheap bus tickets from St Paul to Madison
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Bus from St Paul to Madison: Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from St Paul to Madison. Traveling by bus from St Paul to Madison usually takes around 6 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 225 mi (362 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 55m |
| Cheapest price | $29.00 |
| Trips per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 3 |
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4.8 Rating
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4.5 Rating
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St Paul to Madison Bus Schedule
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from St Paul to Madison (Based on 6 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5.0
5.0
January 22, 2023 - Solo travel
Jefferson Lines4.0
October 23, 2022 - Visiting family
Jefferson Lines4.0
There are several bus options that can take you from St Paul to Madison:
- Jefferson Lines: 3 daily buses from $29
- FlixBus US: 2 daily buses from $36
- Greyhound: 1 daily bus from $36
How much is a bus ticket from St Paul to Madison?
Bus tickets for a trip from St Paul to Madison cost $32.49 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 St Paul to Madison by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from St Paul to Madison in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $32 to $53. 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 Madison this week, bus tickets are available starting at $34.
Average bus ticket prices from St Paul to Madison by month
Taking the bus from St Paul to Madison is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only $46. If you're planning to take the bus from St Paul to Madison during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $74. 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 28 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $18.52 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from St Paul to Madison?
There are multiple buses that travel from St Paul to Madison, including Jefferson Lines, FlixBus US, Greyhound. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 7h 52m | $29.00 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 5h 8m | $54.75 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 4h 55m | $52.58 |
Book Jefferson Lines from St Paul to Madison from $29. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from St Paul to Madison and you can expect on average to pay $29 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Madison. In St Paul, Jefferson Lines departs to Madison from Union Depot. In Madison, Jefferson Lines arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from St Paul to Madison takes 7 hours and 52 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Madison in 6 hours and 10 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 St Paul to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only $54.75.
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 St Paul to Madison every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Madison usually start from $35.98.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from St Paul to Madison
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from St Paul to Madison every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from St Paul to Madison; ticket prices start at $100.
TRIPS PER DAY
6
DIRECT TRIPS
4
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 11 minutes to cover the 225 miles from St Paul to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 55 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)
225
DISTANCE (KM)
362
The first bus leaves at 8:20am and the last bus leaves at 2:50pm. To see the times for all buses from St Paul to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
8:20am
LATEST BUS
2:50pm
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, 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
Thursday
LEAST CROWDED
Wednesday
City Information
St Paul
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.
For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.
Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.
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 St Paul?
Main departure station: Union Depot
Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Union Depot has a remarkable history dating back to 1881. It remains the major transport hub of Saint Paul, as well as the designated station for Amtrak service in the Twin Cities. Besides the long-haul Empire Builder train, the station serves Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity buses and connects to local public transit. Within the Union Depot complex, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop, rental car agency, and can even join a public tour to admire the architecture and learn about the station’s storied past.
All bus stations in St Paul:
- Union Depot
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)
Need a return trip from Madison to St Paul?
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