Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Lafayette

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Bus from Madison to Lafayette: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Madison to Lafayette. Traveling by bus from Madison to Lafayette usually takes around 6 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance
225 mi (362 km)
Shortest duration
5h 45m
Cheapest price
$39.97
Trips per day
4
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Bus lines
1

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Madison to Lafayette Bus Schedule

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How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Lafayette?

Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Lafayette cost about $46 when you book at the cheapest time, 23 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than $46 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 Lafayette by travel date

$90$60$30NovNov

If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to Lafayette in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $46 to $87. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 13, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Lafayette this week, bus tickets are available starting at $51.

Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Lafayette by month

$100$80$60$40$20JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Madison to Lafayette is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $55. If you're planning to take the bus from Madison to Lafayette during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $77. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$200

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 23 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $48.25 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Madison to Lafayette?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Madison to Lafayette. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US46h 36m$68.15
  • 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 4 trips per day from Madison to Lafayette, and the average ticket for this route costs only $68.15.

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Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Lafayette

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Lafayette 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 Lafayette; ticket prices start at $101.

Trips per day

4

Direct trips

2

The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 36 minutes to cover the 225 miles from Madison to Lafayette. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 45 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)

225

Distance (km)

362

The first bus leaves at 6:45 AM and the last bus leaves at 1:45 PM. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Lafayette, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

6:45am

Latest bus

1:45pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Madison to Lafayette for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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

Friday

Least crowded

Wednesday

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 Wisconsin–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.

Lafayette

Lafayette, IN - LAF-0Lafayette, IN - LAF-1Lafayette, IN - LAF-2

Lafayette, a quaint college town with a vibrant history, is a superb destination for fans of history and old buildings. The city's historic old quarter is a beautiful sight to behold, with some buildings dating back to the 19th century. A walk around this quarter will bring you back to the early days of the American Industrial Revolution. Don't miss out on the chance to visit Fort Ouiatenon, the first European fortified settlement in the area now called Indiana. If you are looking for a spot to enjoy a picnic with your friends and your family, head to historic Prophetstown State Park for plenty of activities; we're talking a water park, unique wildlife observation, camping, and a working farm dating back to the 1920s.

Lafayette's food scene offers a good mix of traditional dishes and modern ones. If you wish to enjoy genuine local specialties, South Street Smokehouse offers amazing homestyle dishes. For those who just can't have enough local pizzas, stop by Arni's, a pizzeria that has been around for more than 40 years.

Travel to Lafayette is easy thanks to multiple bus lines and the Amtrak Cardinal line, which runs through the city. The nearest major airport is about 60 miles away in Indianapolis, so ground travel is definitely your friend for this destination.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Madison?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Buses to Lafayette leave from 3 stations in Madison.

All bus stations in Madison:

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
  • Phillips 66

Where does the bus arrive in Lafayette?

Main arrival station: Parking Lot next to CityBus Center

CityBus Center is a center of local transit services in Lafayette. Local buses board in the bus bays behind the building, while intercity buses like OurBus and Miller Transportation pick up passengers in front of the adjacent parking lot. Although there is no covered waiting area at the intercity bus stop, passengers can wait inside the CityBus station to take advantage of the seating and public restrooms. The station is only a few blocks north of downtown Lafayette and two blocks from Lafayette's Amtrak train station for convenient transfers.

All bus stations in Lafayette:

  • Parking Lot next to CityBus Center
  • Parking Lot next to CityBus Center

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