Cheap bus tickets from Madison, WI to Washington, DC
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Bus from Madison, WI to Washington DC: Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from Madison, WI to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Madison, WI to Washington DC usually takes around 27 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 20 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 705 mi (1135 km) |
| Shortest duration | 20h 50m |
| Cheapest price | $93.47 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
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Madison to Washington Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Madison to Washington?
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Madison, WI to Washington, DC.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$200.18Cheaper | Avg. Price$251.18 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration27h 53m | Duration24h 32mFaster |
There are several bus options that can take you from Madison to Washington:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Madison, WI to Washington DC?
Bus tickets for a trip from Madison, WI to Washington DC cost $103.71 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 Washington DC. 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 Madison, WI to Washington DC by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison, WI to Washington DC in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $92 to $168. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 9, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Washington DC this week, bus tickets are available starting at $94.
Average bus ticket prices from Madison, WI to Washington DC by month
Taking the bus from Madison, WI to Washington DC is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $115. If you're planning to take the bus from Madison, WI to Washington DC during February, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $214. 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 19 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $120.16 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Madison to Washington?
There are multiple buses that travel from Madison to Washington, including FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 6 | 27h 53m | $200.18 |
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 6 trips per day from Madison, WI to Washington, DC, and the average ticket for this route costs only $200.18.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Washington
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Madison, WI to Washington DC 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. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madison, WI to Washington DC; ticket prices start at $197.
TRIPS PER DAY
6
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The bus takes an average of 27 hours and 53 minutes to cover the 705 miles from Madison, WI to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 20 hours and 50 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)
705
DISTANCE (KM)
1135
The first bus leaves at 6:45am and the last bus leaves at 1:45pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison, WI to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
6:45am
LATEST BUS
1:45pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Washington DC 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, 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
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Wednesday
City Information
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.
Washington, DC
Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.
D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.
Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Madison?
Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Madison, WI has two bus stations with service to Washington, DC.
All bus stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
Where does the bus arrive in Washington?
Main arrival station: Union Station
Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.
All bus stations in Washington:
- Union Station
- Dupont Cir CT Ave
Need a return trip from Washington to Madison?
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