Cheap bus tickets from St Louis to Madison
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from St Louis to Madison?
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from St Louis to Madison.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$97.10 | Avg. Price$91.84 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration17h 10m | Duration10h 55m |
Bus from St Louis to Madison: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from St Louis to Madison. Traveling by bus from St Louis to Madison usually takes around 16 hours and 55 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 16 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 310 mi (499 km) |
| Shortest duration | 16h 50m |
| Cheapest price | $50.96 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
What bus companies travel from St Louis to Madison?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from St Louis to Madison that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 17h 55m | $107.95 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 16h 51m | $111.22 |
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 1 trips per day from St Louis to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
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 Louis to Madison every day, with the average journey taking around 16 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Madison usually start from $55.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from St Louis to Madison
The bus takes an average of 16 hours and 55 minutes to cover the 310 miles from St Louis to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 16 hours and 50 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from St Louis to Madison for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Madison, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from St Louis to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from St Louis to Madison. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from St Louis to Madison; ticket prices start at $70.00.
City Information
St Louis
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
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 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 Madison?
Main arrival station: Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
The Phillips 66 on Collins Ct is a gas station where Greyhound buses stop in Madison. The bus stops outside the gas station, and inside, Phillips 66 offers convenient snacks and services for travelers. You can grab a coffee or quick bite to enjoy on the bus or use the available restroom or ATM. The surrounding area also offers a few restaurants and hotels for more extended stays. The station is located a few miles outside of Madison’s downtown area, but it is easy to access local public transportation across the street at the Dutch Mill Park & Ride.
All bus stations in Madison:
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
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Need a return trip from Madison to St Louis?
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