Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Iowa City

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Bus from Madison to Iowa City: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Madison to Iowa City. Traveling by bus from Madison to Iowa City usually takes around 10 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance: 146 mi (235 km)
Shortest duration: 9h 40m
Cheapest price: TRY 2,194.57
Trips per day: 0
Most frequent service: FlixBus US
Bus lines: 2

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:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Madison to Iowa City Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Madison to Iowa City:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Iowa City?

Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Iowa City cost TRY 4,196.87 on average. Consider it a bargain when you can snag tickets for less than TRY 4,196.87. 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 to Iowa City by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to Iowa City in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from TRY 3,270 to TRY 5,124. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 22, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Iowa City this week, bus tickets are available starting at TRY 3,270.

Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Iowa City by month

Taking the bus from Madison to Iowa City is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only TRY 4,294. If you're planning to take the bus from Madison to Iowa City during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of TRY 6,686. 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. Booking in advance, even by a couple of days, is the best way to find cheaper bus tickets.

What bus companies travel from Madison to Iowa City?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Madison to Iowa City that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
FlixBus US	2	9h 47m	TRY 4,472.63
Jefferson Lines	1	15h 10m	TRY 8,198.53

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 Madison to Iowa City, and the average ticket for this route costs only TRY 4,472.63.
Book Jefferson Lines from Madison to Iowa City from TRY 8,198.53. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Madison to Iowa City and you can expect on average to pay TRY 8,198.53 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Iowa City. In Madison, Jefferson Lines departs to Iowa City from University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center. In Iowa City, Jefferson Lines arrives at Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St.

An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Madison to Iowa City takes 15 hours and 10 minutes.

On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay TRY 8,198.53 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Iowa City.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Iowa City

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Iowa City 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

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 23 minutes to cover the 146 miles from Madison to Iowa City. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours and 40 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)

146

Distance (km)

235

The first bus leaves at 6:45am and the last bus leaves at 10:20am. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Iowa City, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

6:45am

Latest bus

10:20am

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Iowa City 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, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.

Most crowded

Sunday

Least crowded

Friday

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.

Iowa City

The old capital city of Iowa, Iowa City, is a historic area with plenty of quaint old buildings and beautiful landmarks. The most notable attraction is the Old Capitol Building in the middle of the University of Iowa's campus. The building's first floor is a museum dedicated to the state's history so that you can brush up on your Hawkeye State knowledge (we'll get you started: the Iowa state rock is the geode!). For more history and culture, hit up Plum Grove, the home of the first Governor of Iowa, and the University of Iowa Art Museum.

Thanks to its lively cultural scene, Iowa City's food scene is vibrant and diverse. One of the must-try establishments in the city is Short's Burger and Shine, which features a wide variety of burgers made from locally sourced meat. In addition, the Hamburg Inn No. 2 is an award-winning restaurant, with visitors including many past presidents.

Bus service to Iowa City arrives right downtown for easy access to Iowa City's highlights. Although there is a small municipal airport in Iowa City, most commercial flights will depart from nearby Cedar Rapids Airport or even from Des Moines, about 100 miles away.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Madison?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Madison has two bus stations with service to Iowa City.

All bus stations in Madison:

University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)

Where does the bus arrive in Iowa City?

Main arrival station: Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St

The Burlington Trailways Station in Iowa City is part of the Court St Transportation Center near downtown. Buses usually board outside the multi-story parking garage on Court Street. The station includes a large indoor waiting area with seating, restrooms, and even a charging station for your devices. You can walk to three hotels, a sushi restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a Starbucks, and a bar in the immediate area, so you definitely won't have to travel hungry or thirsty. Greyhound and Burlington Trailways buses depart from this station and connect Iowa City to Des Moines, Chicago, Omaha, and more cities throughout the Midwest.

All bus stations in Iowa City:

Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St

Need a return trip from Iowa City to Madison?

Search Bus Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.