Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Columbus
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Bus from Madison to Columbus: Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from Madison to Columbus. Traveling by bus from Madison to Columbus usually takes around 15 hours and 3 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 320.89
- Trips per day
- 8
- Most frequent service
- FlixBus US
- Bus lines
- 2
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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 about RON 365 when you book at the cheapest time, 17 days ahead. 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 393 to RON 537. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 9, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Columbus this week, bus tickets are available starting at RON 393.
Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Columbus by month
Taking the bus from Madison to Columbus is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only RON 474. 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 671. 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 17 days in advance. This way, you can save up to RON 307.04 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 498.30 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 19h 20m | RON 540.12 |
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 498.30.






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 20 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbus usually start from RON 335.21.






Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Columbus
There are 8 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
8
Direct trips
0
The bus takes an average of 15 hours and 3 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 6:45 AM and the last bus leaves at 7:00 PM. 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
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, 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
Thursday
Least crowded
Wednesday
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.
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. Columbus has had no passenger trains since 1979, when its Union Station was demolished, so the nearest Amtrak trains, such as the Lake Shore Limited and the Capitol Limited, stop in other Ohio cities. 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
- Phillips 66
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?
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