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Cheap bus tickets from Cincinnati to Madison

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Cincinnati to Madison Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Cincinnati to Madison?

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Cincinnati to Madison.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
€70.50
Avg. Price
€144.92
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
2
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
11h 51m
Duration
15h 58m

Bus from Cincinnati to Madison: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Cincinnati to Madison. Traveling by bus from Cincinnati to Madison usually takes around 19 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance374 mi (602 km)
Shortest duration9h 30m
Cheapest price€51.88
Trips per day3
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines2

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How much is a bus ticket from Cincinnati to Madison?

Bus tickets for a trip from Cincinnati to Madison cost €74.35 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 Cincinnati to Madison by month

€130€104€78€52€26JASONDJFMAMJ
Bus tickets from Cincinnati to Madison are at their cheapest average price in October. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around €57. On the other hand, traveling on this route during December might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for December trips cost €127, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

€173€138€104€69€353020100

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 19 days in advance to save €39.76 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Cincinnati to Madison?

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

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US39h 45m€75.27
Greyhound11d 0h 30m€112.60
  • 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 3 trips per day from Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati to Madison every day, with the average journey taking around 24 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Madison usually start from €61.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Cincinnati to Madison

The bus takes an average of 19 hours and 30 minutes to cover the 374 miles from Cincinnati to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours and 30 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 Cincinnati 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, 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 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00am. To see the times for all buses from Cincinnati to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Cincinnati to Madison. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Cincinnati to Madison; ticket prices start at €147.03.

City Information

Cincinnati

A city famous for its idyllic beauty and quaint quarters, Cincinnati is the destination for tourists who wish to stay away from a large crowd. On a bright sunny day in Cincinnati, head over to Eden Park. Encompassing over 183 acres of green space and tree groves, the park lives up to its name, and there are some scenic ponds where you can unwind as well as take a few amazing pictures. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum might sound like a scary place to visit, but its tranquility and amazing landscape design, which was ahead of its time, will make it worth the while to check it out. For those who still crave some liveliness, watching a game at the Great American Ball Park, home of the oldest professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, will be an unforgettable experience.

Cincinnati features a very diverse food scene in spite of its German roots. If you are looking to try out some refreshing Mediterranean dishes, head over to Abigail Street, one of the local favorites. For authentic German dishes, the door at Mecklenburg Gardens welcomes you.

There’s not a central bus station in the city, as each of the different bus carriers serving Cincinnati operates out of a different location. The principal Amtrak train station is the Union Terminal on Western Ave. Cincinnati is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line. The city’s main airport is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is located in Hebron, Kentucky.

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 Cincinnati?

Main departure station: 109 Seventh St W

Cincinnati has two bus stations with service to Madison.

All bus stations in Cincinnati:

  • 109 Seventh St W

  • University of Cincinnati - 2985 Short Vine St

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)

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Madison to Cincinnati?

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