Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Eau Claire
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Bus from Madison to Eau Claire: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Madison to Eau Claire. Traveling by bus from Madison to Eau Claire usually takes around 3 hours and 30 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 | $29.48 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 3 |
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Madison to Eau Claire Bus Schedule
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Average score for buses from Madison to Eau Claire (Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
There are several bus options that can take you from Madison to Eau Claire:
- FlixBus US: 2 daily buses from $29
- Greyhound: 1 daily buses from $29
- Badger Bus: 1 daily buses from $46
How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Eau Claire?
Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Eau Claire cost $32.31 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.
Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Eau Claire by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to Eau Claire in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $29 to $52. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 17, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Eau Claire this week, bus tickets are available starting at $30.
Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Eau Claire by month
Taking the bus from Madison to Eau Claire is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only $39. If you're planning to take the bus from Madison to Eau Claire during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $50. 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 $16.60 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Madison to Eau Claire?
There are 3 bus lines from Madison to Eau Claire available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. FlixBus US offers the most choice in regards to departure times, with a couple of different times on its daily bus schedule.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 3h 38m | $44.63 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 3h 41m | $37.10 |
| Badger Bus | 1 | 2h 45m | $48.68 |
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 Eau Claire, and the average ticket for this route costs only $44.63.
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 1 bus trips from Madison to Eau Claire every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 41 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Eau Claire usually start from $29.48.
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.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Eau Claire
There are 3 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.
Trips per day
3
Direct trips
3
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 30 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.
Distance (mi)
159
Distance (km)
256
The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 6:45pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Eau Claire, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
10:00am
Latest bus
6:45pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Madison to Eau Claire 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
Most crowded
Friday
Least crowded
Monday
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.
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 Eau Claire.
All bus stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
Where does the bus arrive in Eau Claire?
Main arrival station: Mcdonald's Restaurant
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Eau Claire.
All bus stations in Eau Claire:
- Mcdonald's Restaurant
- 642 University Drive - Towers Hall
Need a return trip from Eau Claire to Madison?
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