Cheap bus tickets from Columbus to Champaign
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Bus from Columbus to Champaign: Journey Information
There are 4 intercity buses per day from Columbus to Champaign. Traveling by bus from Columbus to Champaign usually takes around 10 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 278 mi (447 km) |
| Shortest duration | 7h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $52.47 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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Columbus to Champaign Bus Schedule
There are several bus options that can take you from Columbus to Champaign:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Columbus to Champaign?
Bus tickets for a trip from Columbus to Champaign cost $53.47 on average. Tickets cheaper than $53.47 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 Columbus to Champaign by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Columbus to Champaign in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $52 to $78. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 26, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Champaign this week, bus tickets are available starting at $52.
Average bus ticket prices from Columbus to Champaign by month
Taking the bus from Columbus to Champaign is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $74. If you're planning to take the bus from Columbus to Champaign during February, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $110. 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 16 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $52.90 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Columbus to Champaign?
There are multiple buses that travel from Columbus to Champaign, including Greyhound, FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 2 | 9h 45m | $82.03 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 12h 24m | $92.41 |
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 2 bus trips from Columbus to Champaign every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Champaign usually start from $46.47.
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 Columbus to Champaign, and the average ticket for this route costs only $92.41.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Columbus to Champaign
There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus to Champaign 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.
TRIPS PER DAY
4
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 24 minutes to cover the 278 miles from Columbus to Champaign. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 10 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)
278
DISTANCE (KM)
447
The first bus leaves at 4:55am and the last bus leaves at 11:50pm. To see the times for all buses from Columbus to Champaign, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
4:55am
LATEST BUS
11:50pm
With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, 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 Champaign, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Wednesday
LEAST CROWDED
Sunday
City Information
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.
Champaign
A significant hub for the Silicone Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.
As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colorful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.
The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Columbus?
Main departure station: Columbus (E Mound St)
Columbus has two bus stations with service to Champaign.
All bus stations in Columbus:
- Columbus (E Mound St)
- 100 E Rich St
Where does the bus arrive in Champaign?
Main arrival station: Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave
The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport center opened in 1999, and now provides bus and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, and local mass transit. Make sure to wait in the correct station building; Champaign’s old train station, dating to 1898, is just across the street. The Illinois Terminal offers short-term parking, fast food, and even meeting spaces and banquet halls. Thanks to the station’s convenient location, some of the best restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign are just a short walk away.
All bus stations in Champaign:
- Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave
Need a return trip from Champaign to Columbus?
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