Cheap bus tickets from Columbus to Indianapolis

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Bus from Columbus to Indianapolis: Journey Information

There are 16 intercity buses per day from Columbus to Indianapolis. Traveling by bus from Columbus to Indianapolis usually takes around 7 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance
168 mi (270 km)
Shortest duration
3h 30m
Cheapest price
$31.98
Trips per day
6
Most frequent service
Barons Bus Lines
Bus lines
3

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Columbus to Indianapolis Bus Schedule

Wanderu mascot

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

How much is a bus ticket from Columbus to Indianapolis?

Bus tickets for a trip from Columbus to Indianapolis cost $53.49 on average. Tickets cheaper than $53.49 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 Indianapolis by travel date

$90$60$30AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Columbus to Indianapolis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $64 to $82. 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 Indianapolis this week, bus tickets are available starting at $64.

Average bus ticket prices from Columbus to Indianapolis by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Columbus to Indianapolis is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $48. If you're planning to take the bus from Columbus to Indianapolis during January, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $74. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$2001020

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 26 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $34.94 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Columbus to Indianapolis?

There are multiple buses that travel from Columbus to Indianapolis, including Barons Bus Lines, Greyhound, FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Barons Bus Lines1010h 3m$98.92
Greyhound34h 15m$44.55
FlixBus US34h 1m$42.29
  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Columbus to Indianapolis from $73. There are 10 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Columbus to Indianapolis and you can expect on average to pay $98.92 for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Indianapolis. In Columbus, Barons Bus Lines departs to Indianapolis from Columbus (E Mound St) and 2 other stations. In Indianapolis, Barons Bus Lines arrives at 350 S Illinois St.

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Columbus to Indianapolis takes 10 hours and 3 minutes, while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Indianapolis in 7 hours and 5 minutes.

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 10 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $73 for a weekend trip to Indianapolis.

  • 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 Columbus to Indianapolis every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Indianapolis usually start from $31.98.

    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 3 trips per day from Columbus to Indianapolis, and the average ticket for this route costs only $42.29.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Columbus to Indianapolis

There are 16 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus to Indianapolis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 6 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

16

DIRECT TRIPS

6

The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 15 minutes to cover the 168 miles from Columbus to Indianapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

168

DISTANCE (KM)

270

The first bus leaves at 12:30am and the last bus leaves at 11:50pm. To see the times for all buses from Columbus to Indianapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

12:30am

LATEST BUS

11:50pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Columbus to Indianapolis 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, 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.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Wednesday

City Information

Columbus

CMH-0CMH-1CMH-2

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.

Indianapolis

IND-0IND-1IND-2

Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.

Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.

Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Columbus?

Main departure station: Columbus (E Mound St)

Buses to Indianapolis leave from 5 stations in Columbus.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus (E Mound St)
  • 845 N Wilson Rd
  • Columbus (E Mound St)
  • 100 E Rich St
  • Columbus (Airport)

Where does the bus arrive in Indianapolis?

Main arrival station: 350 S Illinois St

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.

All bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • 350 S Illinois St
  • Indianapolis (W Vermont St)

Need a return trip from Indianapolis to Columbus?

Search Bus Tickets

Plan your next adventure

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu's simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.