Cheap bus tickets from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI
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Bus from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI: Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI. Traveling by bus from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI usually takes around 14 hours and 19 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 13 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 395 mi (635 km) |
| Shortest duration | 13h 35m |
| Cheapest price | $76.96 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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Columbus to Madison Bus Schedule
There are several bus options that can take you from Columbus to Madison:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI?
Bus tickets for a trip from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI cost $116.03 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Madison, WI. 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, OH to Madison, WI by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $68 to $129. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 17, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Madison, WI this week, bus tickets are available starting at $100.
Average bus ticket prices from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI by month
Taking the bus from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $86. If you're planning to take the bus from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $125. 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 8 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $46.35 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Columbus to Madison?
There are multiple buses that travel from Columbus to Madison, 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 | 3 | 14h 3m | $134.88 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 15h 24m | $127.26 |
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, OH to Madison, WI every day, with the average journey taking around 14 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Madison, WI usually start from $76.96.
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, OH to Madison, WI, and the average ticket for this route costs only $127.26.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Columbus to Madison
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI 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
5
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 19 minutes to cover the 395 miles from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI. However, the fastest bus only takes 13 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)
395
DISTANCE (KM)
635
The first bus leaves at 4:55am and the last bus leaves at 11:50pm. To see the times for all buses from Columbus, OH to Madison, WI, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
4:55am
LATEST BUS
11:50pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Madison, WI at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
MOST CROWDED
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Thursday
City Information
Columbus, OH
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.
Madison, WI
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 Columbus?
Main departure station: Columbus (E Mound St)
Columbus, OH has two bus stations with service to Madison, WI.
All bus stations in Columbus:
- Columbus (E Mound St)
- 100 E Rich 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, WI.
All bus stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
Need a return trip from Madison to Columbus?
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