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Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Eau Claire

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Madison to Eau Claire Bus Schedule

Bus from Madison to Eau Claire: Journey Information

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 48 minutes, but the fastest Badger Bus bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance159 mi (256 km)
Shortest duration2h 45m
Cheapest pricePLN 119.52
Trips per day5
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines2

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Madison to Eau Claire

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Marsha

January 11, 2026- Visiting friends

Badger Bus

Pros: The driver was very friendly and helpful. Cons: Nothing.

How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Eau Claire?

Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Eau Claire cost PLN 119.52 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.

Monthly avg. prices

PLN 187PLN 149PLN 112PLN 75PLN 37MJJASONDJFMA
Bus tickets from Madison to Eau Claire are at their cheapest average price in August. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around PLN 138. On the other hand, traveling on this route during December might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for December trips cost PLN 187, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

PLN 280PLN 224PLN 168PLN 112PLN 563020100

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 12 days in advance. This way, you can save up to PLN 91.86 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Madison to Eau Claire?

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.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Badger Bus12h 45mPLN 203.57
FlixBus US53h 55mPLN 185.78
  • 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 .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Eau Claire

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 48 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.

Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Eau Claire. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 6:00pm. 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 PLN 280.30.

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

Get around town with Moovit

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