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Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Indianapolis

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Madison to Indianapolis Bus Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Madison to Indianapolis?

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Madison to Indianapolis.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
€67.13
Avg. Price
€85.19
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
4
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
9h 31m
Duration
23h 25m

Bus from Madison to Indianapolis: Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from Madison to Indianapolis. Traveling by bus from Madison to Indianapolis usually takes around 9 hours and 29 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 7 hours,

Distance283 mi (456 km)
Shortest duration7h 0m
Cheapest price€40.86
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines2

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How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Indianapolis?

Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Indianapolis cost €64.79 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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

€110€74€37MarMar

Bus tickets from Madison to Indianapolis are expected to cost between €54 and €102 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Indianapolis within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from €62. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Prices as travel date approaches

€115€92€69€46€233020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 27 days in advance to save €39.74 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Madison to Indianapolis?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Madison to Indianapolis that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US611h 27m€88.19
Greyhound18h 38m€77.16
  • 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 to Indianapolis, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • 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 38 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Indianapolis usually start from €41.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Indianapolis

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 29 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.

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, 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.

The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Indianapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 5 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 €68.91.

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.

Indianapolis

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: Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)

The Phillips 66 on Collins Ct is a gas station where Greyhound buses stop in Madison. The bus stops outside the gas station, and inside, Phillips 66 offers convenient snacks and services for travelers. You can grab a coffee or quick bite to enjoy on the bus or use the available restroom or ATM. The surrounding area also offers a few restaurants and hotels for more extended stays. The station is located a few miles outside of Madison’s downtown area, but it is easy to access local public transportation across the street at the Dutch Mill Park & Ride.

All bus stations in Madison:

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Where does the bus arrive in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

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Main arrival station: 350 S Illinois St

Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.

All bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • E Washington St

  • Indianapolis Northeast

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