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Cheap bus tickets from Madison to La Crosse

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Madison to La Crosse Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Madison to La Crosse?

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from Madison to La Crosse.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$47.00
Avg. Price
$128.20
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
1
Daily Trips
4
Duration
Duration
2h 47m
Duration
11h 1m

Bus from Madison to La Crosse: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Madison to La Crosse. Traveling by bus from Madison to La Crosse usually takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance105 mi (169 km)
Shortest duration2h 15m
Cheapest price$25.00
Trips per day3
Most frequent serviceJefferson Lines
Bus lines1

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Madison to La Crosse

(Based on 8 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Delon

January 14, 2026- Visiting family

Jefferson Lines

Pros: Freedom from watching the road and navigating traffic. Let someone else do the driving. Cons: I wish there could be some kind of bus tracking app that would inform arrival times. It was pretty cold on this day and if we knew ETA we could have found a warm place to wait.

5.0

Elizabeth

December 19, 2025- Visiting friends

Megabus

Pros: Good great even if was a little late arrived on time to destination. The bus driver was the best part of the trip. He was kind and considerate. Cons: Be on time in the winter on less the driver is in danger of bad weather. We are at the stop waiting in the cold. Even with a bus shelter it doesn’t help one bith. Tips: Dress in layers in the winter.

5.0

suzette

May 22, 2025- Solo travel

Megabus

Pros: Pleasant driver. Comfortable seats. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Bring wayer.

5.0

Samantha

February 8, 2025- Visiting friends

Jefferson Lines

Pros: Was good. Cons: little Crowded. Tips: Nothing.

4.0

Delon

September 13, 2024- Visiting family

Jefferson Lines

Pros: I love being able to use the travel minutes to read and relax. Cons: I'm a fan of Jefferson Lines and Wanderu, but I have learned to be patient and flexible with departure and arrival times. Tips: Just make plans for the possibility of leaving and arriving a bit later than scheduled. Carry your phone so you can notify those on the other end.

How much is a bus ticket from Madison to La Crosse?

Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to La Crosse cost $25.00 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 La Crosse by month

$50$40$30$20$10MJJASONDJFMA
If you're planning on taking a bus from Madison to La Crosse, you'll be happy to know that the cost stays pretty stable throughout the year. You can expect to pay around $30 for your ticket regardless of when you plan to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 11 days in advance to save up to $22.00.

What bus companies travel from Madison to La Crosse?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Madison to La Crosse. Jefferson Lines connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Jefferson Lines32h 46m$46.85

  • Book Jefferson Lines from Madison to La Crosse from $25. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Madison to La Crosse and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to La Crosse. In Madison, Jefferson Lines departs to La Crosse from University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center . In La Crosse, Jefferson Lines arrives at 314 Jay St and one other station.

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Madison to La Crosse takes 2 hours and 46 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to La Crosse in 2 hours and 15 minutes .

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to La Crosse.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to La Crosse

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 45 minutes to cover the 105 miles from Madison to La Crosse. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 15 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in La Crosse. 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00am. To see the times for all buses from Madison to La Crosse, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to La Crosse 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 La Crosse without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madison to La Crosse; ticket prices start at $74.00.

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.

La Crosse

La Crosse, WI - LSE-0

Image credit: Unsplash

La Crosse, WI - LSE-1

Image credit: Carl Wycoff

Link to image attribution
La Crosse, WI - LSE-2

Image credit: Unsplash

A busy college town blessed with lush and beautiful green zones, La Crosse is one of the best places to just chill out and unwind. The city's star attraction is the Grandad Bluff, which offers a panoramic view of the entire city and the Mississippi River. Hiking up the hill will certainly be a challenge, but the view from the top makes it all worthwhile. While staying in the city, don't miss out on the chance to go on a cruise aboard the La Crosse Queen, a replica paddle steamer, and unwind while enjoying the sunset. For some family fun, head over to the Children's Museum of La Crosse.

La Crosse does have a pretty reputable food scene, with a strong focus on beers and cheese curds. For an upscale dining experience with the best local dishes, The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern is a local favorite that has a stellar reputation. Or head to the Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery for a combination of good foods and drinks.

La Crosse is easily accessible by bus or train, and regional flights operate out of the La Crosse Municipal Airport.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Madison?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Most buses depart from the main station in Madison.

All bus stations in Madison:

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Where does the bus arrive in La Crosse?

Main arrival station: University of WI

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in La Crosse.

All bus stations in La Crosse:

  • University of WI

  • 314 Jay St

Get around town with Moovit

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