Cheap bus tickets from St Louis to Columbus

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Bus from St Louis to Columbus: Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from St Louis to Columbus. Traveling by bus from St Louis to Columbus usually takes around 11 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance
396 mi (637 km)
Shortest duration
9h 40m
Cheapest price
$49.98
Trips per day
3
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
2

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St Louis to Columbus Bus Schedule

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How much is a bus ticket from St Louis to Columbus?

Bus tickets for a trip from St Louis to Columbus cost $56.98 on average. Tickets cheaper than $56.98 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 St Louis to Columbus by travel date

$90$60$30AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from St Louis to Columbus in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $48 to $83. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 9, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Columbus this week, bus tickets are available starting at $54.

Average bus ticket prices from St Louis to Columbus by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from St Louis to Columbus is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $56. If you're planning to take the bus from St Louis to Columbus during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $73. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$25010

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 18 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $45.04 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from St Louis to Columbus?

There are multiple buses that travel from St Louis to Columbus, including Greyhound, FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound310h 28m$68.27
FlixBus US216h 47m$122.52
  • 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 3 bus trips from St Louis to Columbus every day, with the average journey taking around 10 hours and 28 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbus usually start from $49.98.

    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
  • 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 Louis to Columbus, and the average ticket for this route costs only $122.52.

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Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from St Louis to Columbus

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from St Louis to Columbus every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 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

5

DIRECT TRIPS

3

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 34 minutes to cover the 396 miles from St Louis to Columbus. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours and 40 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)

396

DISTANCE (KM)

637

The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:45pm. To see the times for all buses from St Louis to Columbus, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

2:00am

LATEST BUS

11:45pm

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

MOST CROWDED

Monday

LEAST CROWDED

Tuesday

City Information

St Louis

St. Louis, MO - STL-0St. Louis, MO - STL-1St. Louis, MO - STL-2

St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.

Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.

Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.

The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.

Columbus

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Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.

As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.

Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in St Louis?

Main departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Most buses depart from the main station in St Louis.

All bus stations in St Louis:

  • Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Where does the bus arrive in Columbus?

Main arrival station: Columbus (E Mound St)

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Columbus.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus (E Mound St)
  • 100 E Rich St

Need a return trip from Columbus to St Louis?

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