5.0
Pros: Very relaxing and comfortable. Cons: price is so high. Tips: get there on time.
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There are 3 intercity buses per day from Madison to Appleton. Traveling by bus from Madison to Appleton usually takes around 6 hours and 45 minutes, but the fastest Megabus bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 96 mi (154 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 55m |
| Cheapest price | $31.98 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |

Average score for buses from Madison to Appleton
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Very relaxing and comfortable. Cons: price is so high. Tips: get there on time.
Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Appleton cost $32.49 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Madison to Appleton that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 9h 38m | $64.11 |
| Megabus | 2 | 3h 3m | $32.48 |
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 Appleton, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Book Megabus from Madison to Appleton from $32. There are 2 trips per day offered by Megabus from Madison to Appleton and you can expect on average to pay for a Megabus ticket to Appleton. In Madison, Megabus departs to Appleton from University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center and one other station. In Appleton, Megabus arrives at Appleton Transit Ctr .
An average trip on Megabus from Madison to Appleton takes 3 hours and 3 minutes , while the fastest available Megabus trip will get you to Appleton in 2 hours and 55 minutes .
On weekends, Megabus offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Appleton.
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 45 minutes to cover the 96 miles from Madison to Appleton. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 55 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Appleton 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, 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 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Appleton, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Appleton every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madison to Appleton; ticket prices start at $56.00.



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.
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.
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Phillips 66
All buses from Madison arrive at one main station in Appleton.
Appleton Transit Ctr

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.