Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Minneapolis
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Madison to Minneapolis: Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from Madison to Minneapolis. Traveling by bus from Madison to Minneapolis usually takes around 6 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest Badger Bus bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 15 minutes.
- Distance
- 233 mi (374 km)
- Shortest duration
- 4h 15m
- Cheapest price
- NOK 273.86
- Trips per day
- 8
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Bus lines
- 4
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Madison to Minneapolis Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Madison to Minneapolis (Based on 18 ratings and reviews)
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There are several bus options that can take you from Madison to Minneapolis:
- Badger Bus: 2 daily buses from NOK 434
- FlixBus US: 2 daily buses from NOK 321
- Greyhound: 2 daily buses from NOK 316
- Jefferson Lines: 3 daily buses from NOK 274
How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Minneapolis?
Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Minneapolis cost about NOK 403 when you book at the cheapest time, 11 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than NOK 403 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 Minneapolis by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to Minneapolis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from NOK 302 to NOK 812. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 7, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Minneapolis this week, bus tickets are available starting at NOK 378.
Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Minneapolis by month
Taking the bus from Madison to Minneapolis is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only NOK 406. If you're planning to take the bus from Madison to Minneapolis during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 548. 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. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 11 days in advance. This way, you can save up to NOK 382.56 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Madison to Minneapolis?
There are 4 bus lines from Madison to Minneapolis available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 3 daily trips, Jefferson Lines usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badger Bus | 2 | 4h 47m | NOK 547.64 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 5h 32m | NOK 707.13 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 5h 31m | NOK 582.21 |
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 7h 7m | NOK 336.55 |
Badger Bus is a family-owned bus company running routes across Wisconsin and Minnesota, such as Madison to Minneapolis. It shares the same fuzzy mascot as the University of Wisconsin, which makes it a popular choice for students traveling between the Madison and Milwaukee campuses. The easily recognizable red, white, and black buses feature free reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seats with outlets, and clean restroom facilities.
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 Minneapolis, and the average ticket for this route costs only NOK 707.13.






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 2 bus trips from Madison to Minneapolis every day, with the average journey taking around 5 hours and 31 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Minneapolis usually start from NOK 316.17.






Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity bus company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest bus service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, restrooms, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their bus tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Madison to Minneapolis with ticket prices as low as NOK 273.86.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Minneapolis
There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Minneapolis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 7 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Trips per day
8
Direct trips
7
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 1 minute to cover the 233 miles from Madison to Minneapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 15 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)
233
Distance (km)
374
The first bus leaves at 8:00 AM and the last bus leaves at 7:00 PM. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Minneapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
8:00am
Latest bus
7:00pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Madison to Minneapolis 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, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
Most crowded
Friday
Least crowded
Saturday
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 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.
Minneapolis



Situated along the bank of the Mississippi River in Minnesota, Minneapolis is one of the biggest and most exciting cities to visit in the Midwest. It is home to the Chain of Lakes, where you can swim, fish, boat and even bike or walk along the lakeside trails. It’s no wonder Minneapolis is among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities!
Although it's known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis has a lot more to offer than gorgeous lakes, wetlands, and waterfalls. Shopaholics can spend days getting lost in the Mall of America, which boasts over 500 stores and an indoor theme park. If you're visiting Minneapolis on a romantic vacation, Minneapolis' bustling theater district offers excellent date nights from dozens of theater companies. Or, for a less musical and more brews-ical date option, head to one of 62 top-rated breweries in the #2 best city in America for craft beer.
Minneapolis can be visited in any season, but keep in mind that it becomes a frigid, snowy destination in the winter. January hovers around 0° Fahrenheit, but it's worth bundling up to enjoy the St. Paul Winter Carnival, or hockey and ice skating on any of the 13 lakes in the city. Have we mentioned how great the lakes are?
If you're visiting both of the Twin Cities, you can take public transport from downtown Minneapolis to Saint Paul in about 30 minutes. Public transit also connects downtown to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Thanks to bus stations throughout Minneapolis, traveling by bus is the easiest way to arrive directly in the middle of the action and begin your adventure.
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 Minneapolis.
All bus stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Phillips 66
Where does the bus arrive in Minneapolis?
Main arrival station: 516 2nd Ave North

Located in Central Minneapolis at 950 Hawthorne Ave, the Minneapolis Bus Station is a gateway to nearby cities throughout Minnesota and the Midwest. Greyhound and Jefferson Lines buses operate routes from this station to major cities such as Milwaukee or Chicago and beyond. From the Minneapolis Bus Station, it is a short 12-minute walk to Target Field Station where you can connect to light rail service throughout the city. Vending machines offer snacks or drinks within the station, or head one block south to Hennepin Ave for a variety of restaurant options for hungry travelers.
All bus stations in Minneapolis:
- 516 2nd Ave North
- U of MN - Huron Blvd
- University of Minnesota (Huron Blvd at 2428 Delaware St SE)
- 8000 Ikea Way
Need a return trip from Minneapolis to Madison?
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