5.0
Pros: The driver was very friendly and helpful. Cons: Nothing.
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There are 5 intercity buses per day from Madison to Eau Claire. Traveling by bus from Madison to Eau Claire usually takes around 3 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest Badger Bus bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 159 mi (256 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $32.98 |
| Trips per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |

Average score for buses from Madison to Eau Claire
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: The driver was very friendly and helpful. Cons: Nothing.
Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Eau Claire cost $35.18 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.
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 6 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $12.50 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Madison to Eau Claire that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 5 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badger Bus | 1 | 2h 45m | $51.15 |
| FlixBus US | 5 | 3h 38m | $43.30 |
Badger Bus is a family-owned bus company running routes across Wisconsin and Minnesota, such as Madison to Eau Claire. 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 5 trips per day from Madison to Eau Claire, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 36 minutes to cover the 159 miles from Madison to Eau Claire. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.
Because many passengers travel from Madison to Eau Claire at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Eau Claire, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Eau Claire every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Madison to Eau Claire without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madison to Eau Claire; ticket prices start at $75.00.



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.
Madison has two bus stations with service to Eau Claire.
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Eau Claire.
Mcdonald's Restaurant
642 University Drive - Towers Hall

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.