Cheap bus tickets from Columbus to State College

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Bus from Columbus to State College: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Columbus to State College. Traveling by bus from Columbus to State College usually takes around 11 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance
276 mi (445 km)
Shortest duration
6h 35m
Cheapest price
$50.96
Trips per day
1
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
2

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Columbus to State College Bus Schedule

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How much is a bus ticket from Columbus to State College?

Bus tickets for a trip from Columbus to State College cost $61.81 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 Columbus to State College by travel date

$75$50$25AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Columbus to State College in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $42 to $69. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 11, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to State College this week, bus tickets are available starting at $54.

Average bus ticket prices from Columbus to State College by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Columbus to State College is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $58. If you're planning to take the bus from Columbus to State College during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $73. 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$200

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 9 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $37.01 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Columbus to State College?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Columbus to State College 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
Greyhound312h 12m$77.23
FlixBus US19h 2m$71.20
  • 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 State College every day, with the average journey taking around 12 hours and 12 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to State College usually start from $50.96.

    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 1 trips per day from Columbus to State College, and the average ticket for this route costs only $71.20.

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Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Columbus to State College

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus to State College every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.

Trips per day

4

Direct trips

1

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 53 minutes to cover the 276 miles from Columbus to State College. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 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.

Distance (mi)

276

Distance (km)

445

The first bus leaves at 12:50am and the last bus leaves at 8:45pm. To see the times for all buses from Columbus to State College, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

12:50am

Latest bus

8:45pm

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 State College, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

Most crowded

Wednesday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

Columbus

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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.

State College

State College, PA - SCL-0State College, PA - SCL-1State College, PA - SCL-2

State College is a college town, hence the name. It is home to Penn State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As expected, most of the businesses in the area are there to serve the academic clientele, particularly the professors and students living in the area (if you’re one of them, you might want to check out our recommended destinations for college students).

One of the most popular events in State College is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which draws over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Aside from Penn State University, the city's major attractions are The Arboretum and the Beaver Stadium.

If you're into culture, history, and the arts, you should check out the Palmer Museum of Art, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, and Centre County Historical Society.

While at State College, be sure to try out the waffles at The Original Waffle Shop. Other good places to dine are the Berkey Creamery, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse. Finally, for some good drinks, stop by Otto's Pub and Brewery.

Getting around State College is a breeze. The local airport, University Park Airport, is a mere 5 miles away from campus. In addition, Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Amtrak Thruway run regularly scheduled bus services from State College to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New York City, and beyond.

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 State College.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus (E Mound St)
  • 100 E Rich St

Where does the bus arrive in State College?

Main arrival station: State College (Airport - SCE)

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in State College.

All bus stations in State College:

  • State College (Airport - SCE)
  • 152 N Atherton St.

Need a return trip from State College to Columbus?

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