Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Columbus
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Madison to Columbus: Journey Information
There are 7 intercity buses per day from Madison to Columbus. Traveling by bus from Madison to Columbus usually takes around 16 hours and 25 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 50 minutes.
- Distance
- 395 mi (635 km)
- Shortest duration
- 11h 50m
- Cheapest price
- RON 281.46
- 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:
Madison to Columbus Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Madison to Columbus:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Madison to Columbus?
Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Columbus cost RON 334.56 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 Columbus by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to Columbus in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from RON 309 to RON 485. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 16, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Columbus this week, bus tickets are available starting at RON 342.
Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Columbus by month
Taking the bus from Madison to Columbus is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only RON 406. If you're planning to take the bus from Madison to Columbus during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 646. 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 28 days in advance. This way, you can save up to RON 265.48 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Madison to Columbus?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Madison to Columbus that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 6 | 13h 44m | RON 510.11 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 19h 24m | RON 461.33 |
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 Columbus, and the average ticket for this route costs only RON 510.11.






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 Columbus every day, with the average journey taking around 19 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbus usually start from RON 281.46.






Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Columbus
There are 7 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Columbus 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
7
Direct trips
0
The bus takes an average of 16 hours and 25 minutes to cover the 395 miles from Madison to Columbus. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 hours and 50 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)
395
Distance (km)
635
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 Columbus, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
6:45am
Latest bus
7:00pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Columbus 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, 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
Sunday
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 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.
Columbus



Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.
As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.
Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.
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 Columbus.
All bus stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
Where does the bus arrive in Columbus?
Main arrival station: 100 E Rich St
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Columbus.
All bus stations in Columbus:
- 100 E Rich St
- Columbus (E Mound St)
Need a return trip from Columbus to Madison?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from Madison
- Madison to Iowa City BusRON 388+
- Madison to Des Moines BusRON 503+
- Madison to Oshkosh BusRON 129+
- Madison, WI to Washington DC BusRON 429+
- Madison to St Louis BusRON 305+
- Madison to Long Beach BusRON 1,140+
- Madison, WI to West Palm Beach, FL BusRON 1,108+
- Madison to Green Bay BusRON 171+
- Madison to Minneapolis BusRON 157+
- Madison, WI to Rochester, MN BusRON 134+
- Madison, WI to Duluth, MN BusRON 309+
- Madison to Eau Claire BusRON 134+
- Madison to Detroit BusRON 259+
- Madison to Indianapolis BusRON 245+
- Madison to Chicago BusRON 180+
- Madison to Ann Arbor BusRON 185+
- Madison to Milwaukee BusRON 102+
- Madison to La Crosse BusRON 115+
Continue by bus from Columbus
- Columbus to Atlanta BusRON 356+
- Columbus to Orlando BusRON 526+
- Columbus to Youngstown BusRON 254+
- Columbus to Cincinnati BusRON 102+
- Columbus to New York BusRON 411+
- Columbus, OH to Dallas, TX BusRON 512+
- Columbus to Chicago BusRON 249+
- Columbus to Lexington BusRON 254+
- Columbus to Cleveland BusRON 134+
- Columbus, OH to Newark, OH BusRON 23+
- Columbus to Buffalo BusRON 222+
- Columbus, OH to Athens, OH BusRON 46+
- Columbus to Ann Arbor BusRON 254+
- Columbus to Toledo BusRON 166+
- Columbus to Philadelphia BusRON 272+
- Columbus to Minneapolis BusRON 466+
- Columbus to Indianapolis BusRON 245+
- Columbus, OH to Newark, NJ BusRON 374+
Check out these popular routes
- Edmonton to Calgary BusRON 125+
- Dallas to Houston BusRON 175+
- Boston to Portland BusRON 134+
- Seattle to Vancouver BusRON 194+
- Portland, ME to Boston, MA BusRON 134+
- New York to Boston BusRON 185+
- Brooklyn, NY to Washington DC Bus
- Toronto to Ottawa BusRON 157+
- Vancouver to Seattle BusRON 208+
- New York to Philadelphia BusRON 139+
- Philadelphia to New York BusRON 134+
- Madison to Chicago BusRON 180+
- Boston to New York BusRON 175+
- New York to Atlanta BusRON 457+
- New York to Montreal BusRON 388+
- Philadelphia to Brooklyn Bus
- Ithaca to New York BusRON 254+
- New York to Ithaca BusRON 212+

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.




