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Cheap bus tickets from Columbus to Albany

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Columbus to Albany Bus Schedule

Bus from Columbus to Albany: Journey Information

There are 6 intercity buses per day from Columbus to Albany. Traveling by bus from Columbus to Albany usually takes around 22 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 17 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance514 mi (827 km)
Shortest duration17h 45m
Cheapest price$93.97
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

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What bus companies travel from Columbus to Albany?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Columbus to Albany that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 5 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US119h 43m$184.45
Greyhound522h 12m$148.82
  • 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 Columbus to Albany, 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 5 bus trips from Columbus to Albany every day, with the average journey taking around 22 hours and 12 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Albany usually start from $94.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Columbus to Albany

The bus takes an average of 22 hours and 3 minutes to cover the 514 miles from Columbus to Albany. However, the fastest bus only takes 17 hours and 45 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 Columbus to Albany 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, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Columbus to Albany, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus to Albany 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.

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.

Albany

As the capital city of New York state, Albany is blessed with many historic buildings and quaint quarters, making it the perfect city to take a stroll around. One of the city’s top attractions is the famous New York State Capitol Building, a stately structure that has been around since as far as the 19th century. If you wish to learn more about the city’s rich history, head over to Bidwell House museum, which is actually a restored home filled with impressive artifacts. While staying in Albany, do take the time to visit The Egg, a unique-looking building that will certainly satisfy your architectural curiosity.

For a great dinner with a quirky twist, head over to Canvas, Corks and Forks - Schenectady. For some of the best BBQ dishes in town, don’t hesitate to give Warehouse Grill & BBQ a shot.

The busiest bus station in the area is the Albany Bus Terminal. The bus station welcomes buses from New York, Boston, Baltimore, and many other places. The nearest Amtrak train station is located in the neighboring town of Rensselaer, NY. The city’s principal airport is the Albany International Airport, located six miles northwest of Albany.

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 Albany.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus (E Mound St)

  • 100 E Rich St

Where does the bus arrive in Albany?

Albany Bus Term - 34 Hamilton St  - ALBPPA-0

Image credit: Paul Sableman

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Albany Bus Terminal

The Albany Bus Terminal is a busy hub of intercity bus travel in downtown Albany. Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Adirondack Trailways, and Peter Pan operate bus trips that stop at this station. The terminal has customer service staff on-site, as well as restrooms and a small cafe. Several parking lots are available around the station, and a hotel is available just down the street. It is only a few blocks to downtown Albany and the New York State Capitol complex from the station.

All bus stations in Albany:

  • Albany Bus Terminal

  • Albany SUNY Bus Stop (Collins Circle)

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