Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Indianapolis

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Bus from Madison to Indianapolis: Journey Information

There are 6 intercity buses per day from Madison to Indianapolis. Traveling by bus from Madison to Indianapolis usually takes around 9 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 7 hours,

Distance
283 mi (456 km)
Shortest duration
7h
Cheapest price
$41.98
Trips per day
2
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Bus lines
3

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Madison to Indianapolis Bus Schedule

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How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Indianapolis?

Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Indianapolis cost $55.27 on average. Tickets cheaper than $55.27 are an excellent bargain. 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 Indianapolis by travel date

$105$70$35AugAug

If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to Indianapolis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $62 to $101. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 25, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Indianapolis this week, bus tickets are available starting at $62.

Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Indianapolis by month

$100$80$60$40$20JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Madison to Indianapolis is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $69. If you're planning to take the bus from Madison to Indianapolis during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $97. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$2501020

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 12 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $56.70 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Madison to Indianapolis?

There are multiple buses that travel from Madison to Indianapolis, including FlixBus US, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US59h 5m$93.15
Greyhound18h 15m$102.65
Jefferson Lines131h 37m$188.00
  • 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 5 trips per day from Madison to Indianapolis, and the average ticket for this route costs only $93.15.

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  • 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 1 bus trips from Madison to Indianapolis every day, with the average journey taking around 8 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Indianapolis usually start from $55.97.

    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
  • Book Jefferson Lines from Madison to Indianapolis from $188. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Madison to Indianapolis and you can expect on average to pay $188 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Indianapolis. In Madison, Jefferson Lines departs to Indianapolis from University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center. In Indianapolis, Jefferson Lines arrives at 350 S Illinois St.

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Madison to Indianapolis takes 31 hours and 37 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Indianapolis in 28 hours and 50 minutes.

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay $188 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Indianapolis.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Indianapolis

There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Indianapolis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madison to Indianapolis; ticket prices start at $80.

TRIPS PER DAY

6

DIRECT TRIPS

2

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 27 minutes to cover the 283 miles from Madison to Indianapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours. 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)

283

DISTANCE (KM)

456

The first bus leaves at 6:45am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Indianapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

6:45am

LATEST BUS

7:00pm

Because many passengers travel from Madison to Indianapolis at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

MOST CROWDED

Monday

LEAST CROWDED

Tuesday

City Information

Madison

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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.

Indianapolis

IND-0IND-1IND-2

Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.

Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.

Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.

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 Indianapolis.

All bus stations in Madison:

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

Where does the bus arrive in Indianapolis?

Main arrival station: Indianapolis (W Vermont St)

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

All bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • Indianapolis (W Vermont St)
  • 350 S Illinois St

Need a return trip from Indianapolis to Madison?

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