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Cheap bus tickets from Rochester to Columbus

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Rochester to Columbus Bus Schedule

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Bus from Rochester to Columbus: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Rochester to Columbus. Traveling by bus from Rochester to Columbus usually takes around 16 hours and 35 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance355 mi (572 km)
Shortest duration10h 35m
Cheapest price$47.45
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

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How much is a bus ticket from Rochester to Columbus?

Bus tickets for a trip from Rochester to Columbus cost $57.16 on average. Tickets cheaper than $57.16 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 Rochester to Columbus by travel date

$75$50$25AprMay

If you're planning to travel by bus from Rochester to Columbus in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $50 to $70. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 13, 2025.

If you’re looking to travel to Columbus this week, bus tickets are available starting at $57.

Monthly avg. prices

$100$80$60$40$20MJJASONDJFMA
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Rochester to Columbus, mark your calendar for August. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $54. However, taking the bus from Rochester to Columbus during December is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $76. The best way to find deals on a trip in December is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$253020100

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 28 days in advance to save $45.80 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Rochester to Columbus?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Rochester to Columbus that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US111h 9m$79.46
Greyhound316h 39m$67.25
  • 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 Rochester to Columbus, 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 3 bus trips from Rochester to Columbus every day, with the average journey taking around 16 hours and 39 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbus usually start from $46.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Rochester to Columbus

The bus takes an average of 16 hours and 35 minutes to cover the 355 miles from Rochester to Columbus. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 hours and 35 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Columbus. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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.

The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Rochester to Columbus, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Rochester to Columbus every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Rochester to Columbus; ticket prices start at $72.00.

City Information

Rochester

Rochester, NY

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Perched on the shore on Lake Ontario, Rochester is an idyllic city with a small-town vibe, making it the perfect destination for those looking for some family-friendly fun. Rochester’s pride is Highland Park, which is one of the oldest arboretums in the U.S. Designed by the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the park features idyllic paths cutting through treelines and fragrant lilac bushes. If you wish to marvel at the beauty of the Genesee River’s Gorge, go on a hiking trip on the Genesee Riverway Trail. For more cultural activities, George Eastman Museum, the world’s oldest photography museum, would be a great choice.

Rochester’s food scene features many quirky dishes, including the famous local garbage plate, which features your choice of meat along with decadent sides. For the best garbage plates, you might want to check out Nick Tahou Hots.

The city’s busiest bus station is the Trailways Terminal downtown. The station serves several bus carriers, including New York Trailways, Greyhound and OurBus, among others. The principal Amtrak train station is Louis M. Slaughter Station, which is located just across the street from the bus station. Rochester is served by Amtrak’s Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited and Maple Leaf lines. The city’s commercial air services are served by the Greater Rochester International Airport, located 3 miles southwest of downtown.

Columbus

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 Rochester?

Main departure station: Rochester Bus Stop

Most buses depart from the main station in Rochester.

All bus stations in Rochester:

  • Rochester Bus Stop

Where does the bus arrive in Columbus?

Main arrival station: Columbus (E Mound St)

Buses arrive in Columbus at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus (E Mound St)

  • Ohio State University

  • 100 E Rich St

Get around town with Moovit

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