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Cheap bus tickets from Madison to Milwaukee

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Madison to Milwaukee Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 18 daily train trips available from Madison to Milwaukee.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$23.60
Avg. Price
$69.98
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
35
Daily Trips
18
Duration
Duration
1h 48m
Duration
8h 0m

Bus from Madison to Milwaukee: Journey Information

There are 38 intercity buses per day from Madison to Milwaukee. Traveling by bus from Madison to Milwaukee usually takes around one hour and 47 minutes, but the fastest Badger Bus bus can make the trip in just one hour and 20 minutes.

Distance76 mi (122 km)
Shortest duration1h 20m
Cheapest price$19.98
Trips per day38
Most frequent serviceBadger Bus
Bus lines3

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Madison to Milwaukee

(Based on 45 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Tatiana

January 22, 2026- Visiting friends

FlixBus US

Pros: was reliable and smooth ride. Tips: get there on time.

5.0

Dionte

October 24, 2025- Visiting family

Badger Bus

Pros: I liked how comfortable everyone made me feel on the first trip. Definitely can’t wait to do it again. Cons: Stop indications for new comers. Tips: Keep being themselves.

5.0

Ivany

October 17, 2025- Visiting family

Megabus

Pros: It was simple, convenient, and friendly! Also, not full or crowded like the Badger Buses, certainly enjoyed this experience much more. Cons: If driver could help grab the luggage from underneath the bus. Tips: Have your ticket ready!

5.0

Karen

September 9, 2025- Solo travel

Badger Bus

Love being able to leave the driving to someone else. I didn't need to pay parking fees at the airport!

5.0

Fatma

May 9, 2025- Visiting family

Badger Bus

Friendly driver

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How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Milwaukee?

Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Milwaukee cost $23.04 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 Milwaukee by travel date

$30$20$10MarApr

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Madison to Milwaukee is expected to be between $23 and $27. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is April 7, 2026, when tickets are available for April 7, 2026. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $23.

Average bus ticket prices from Madison to Milwaukee by month

$50$40$30$20$10AMJJASONDJFM
Bus tickets from Madison to Milwaukee are at their cheapest average price in September. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $23. On the other hand, traveling on this route during December might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for December trips cost $27, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

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 16 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $11.81 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Madison to Milwaukee?

There are 3 bus lines from Madison to Milwaukee available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 28 daily trips, Badger Bus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Badger Bus281h 49m$24.61
FlixBus US101h 46m$30.68
Jefferson Lines11h 41m$24.00

  • Badger Bus is a family-owned bus company running routes across Wisconsin and Minnesota, such as Madison to Milwaukee. 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 10 trips per day from Madison to Milwaukee, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Book Jefferson Lines from Madison to Milwaukee from $24. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Madison to Milwaukee and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Milwaukee. In Madison, Jefferson Lines departs to Milwaukee from University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center . In Milwaukee, Jefferson Lines arrives at Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave .

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Madison to Milwaukee takes 1 hours and 41 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Milwaukee in 1 hours and 20 minutes .

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Milwaukee.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Madison to Milwaukee

The bus takes an average of one hour and 47 minutes to cover the 76 miles from Madison to Milwaukee. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 20 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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.

Because many passengers travel from Madison to Milwaukee 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, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Milwaukee, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 38 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madison to Milwaukee; ticket prices start at $35.00.

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.

Milwaukee

Nestling on the banks of the great Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has some of the most scenic views around, making it every photographer’s perfect destination. Boasting 85 miles of scenic waterfront bike lanes, Milwaukee is the perfect spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sunset together with your friends. It is also the home of the Harley Davidson Museum, a vast waterfront gallery that offers 11 permanent exhibitions. The museum features not only bikes but also special items such as a whole engine room, making it a must-visit spot for bike enthusiasts. If you are not interested in bikes, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, which is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, offers many wondrous shots.

Milwaukee’s famous German bratwursts are a must-try for all visitors, and the best place to enjoy this dish is Usinger’s. Other similar establishments include Mader’s and Milwaukee Public Market. For authentic American eats, Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-In offers amazing sloppy-joe burgers.

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the city’s main transportation hub. Visitors can catch both buses and trains at this location. The city is served by two airports. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the southern edge of the city handles commercial flights, while the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport in the northwest handles private flights.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Madison?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Buses to Milwaukee leave from 4 stations in Madison.

All bus stations in Madison:

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

  • E Washington - E Johnson St

  • E Johnson-E Gorham at N Pinckney St

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)

Where does the bus arrive in Milwaukee?

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

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Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-1

Image credit: Payton Chung

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the major transportation hub for rail and bus travel in Wisconsin. The station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the Midwest. It acts as a gateway for long-distance travel into the American West and also connects Milwaukee to the surrounding Midwest states via the Hiawatha service. Renovated in 2007, the Intermodal Station now also offers a range of intercity bus services from carriers, including Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. Local bus routes and The Hop streetcar service provide convenient local travel around Milwaukee. Located in the city’s downtown, The Intermodal Station has vast retail spaces, several museums, and pleasant waterways all on its doorstep.

All bus stations in Milwaukee:

  • Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

  • Mitchell Airport - 5300 S Howell Ave

  • 2200 E Kenwood Blvd

Get around town with Moovit

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