Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Ames
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
Madison to Ames Bus Schedule
Bus from Madison to Ames: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Madison to Ames. Traveling by bus from Madison to Ames usually takes around 14 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 227 mi (365 km) |
| Shortest duration | 11h 55m |
| Cheapest price | DKK 1,089.83 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |

Price trends for buses from Madison to Ames
Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Ames by month
What bus companies travel from Madison to Ames?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Madison to Ames. Jefferson Lines is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 14h 15m | DKK 1,089.83 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Madison to Ames from DKK 1,090. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Madison to Ames and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Ames. In Madison, Jefferson Lines departs to Ames from University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center . In Ames, Jefferson Lines arrives at Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Madison to Ames takes 14 hours and 15 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Ames in 11 hours and 55 minutes .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Ames
The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 15 minutes to cover the 227 miles from Madison to Ames. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 hours and 55 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.
The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00am. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Ames, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Madison



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 Madison?
Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Most buses depart from the main station in Madison.
All bus stations in Madison:
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Where does the bus arrive in Ames?
Main arrival station: Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave
All buses from Madison arrive at one main station in Ames.
All bus stations in Ames:
Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Ames to Madison?
Search Bus Tickets
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.
- Bus Tickets
- United States
- Iowa
- Ames
- Madison to Ames






