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Milwaukee to Madison bus

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Milwaukee to Madison Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 36 intercity buses per day from Milwaukee to Madison. Traveling by bus from Milwaukee to Madison usually takes around one hour and 40 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in just one hour and 15 minutes.

Distance76 mi (122 km)
Shortest duration1h 15m
Cheapest price$20.00
Trips per day36
Most frequent serviceBadger Bus
Bus lines5

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Milwaukee to Madison

(Based on 36 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Isaiah

February 26, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Very comfortable and quiet. Cons: It was a little packed but I'm not too affected by having a stranger sit next to me.

5.0

Angelo

February 10, 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: The trip was comfortable and the drive was smooth. I made it to my destination easily. Cons: Not sure. Tips: None.

5.0

Alexandra

January 19, 2024- Visiting family

Badger Bus

Pros: Everyone is sweet. Tips: Be 15 minutes early.

5.0

Sangeetha

October 6, 2023- Regular commuter

Badger Bus

Pros: Comfort. Cons: Prices.

5.0

Redson

September 2, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak Thruway

It was within the time

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How much is a bus ticket from Milwaukee to Madison?

Bus tickets for a trip from Milwaukee to Madison cost $22.09 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 prices by travel date

$30$20$10OctOct

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Milwaukee to Madison is expected to be between $22 and $24. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is October 8, 2024, when tickets are available for October 8, 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $22.

Monthly avg. prices

$25$20$15$10$5NDJFMAMJJASO
If you're planning on taking a bus from Milwaukee to Madison, you'll be happy to know that the cost stays pretty stable throughout the year. You can expect to pay around $23 for your ticket regardless of when you plan to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 25 days in advance to save $2.41 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Milwaukee to Madison?

There are 5 bus lines from Milwaukee to Madison available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 27 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
Amtrak Thruway51h 38m$22.00
Badger Bus271h 42m$24.99
FlixBus US81h 45m$23.66
Jefferson Lines11h 15m$20.00
Megabus11h 26m$23.99

  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Milwaukee to Madison start at $22. On average, there are 5 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Badger Bus is a family-owned bus company running routes across Wisconsin and Minnesota, such as Milwaukee to Madison. 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 8 trips per day from Milwaukee to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Book Jefferson Lines from Milwaukee to Madison from $20. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Milwaukee to Madison and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Madison. In Milwaukee, Jefferson Lines departs to Madison from Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave . In Madison, Jefferson Lines arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center .

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Milwaukee to Madison takes 1 hours and 15 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 Madison.

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

    An average trip on Megabus from Milwaukee to Madison takes 1 hours and 26 minutes , while the fastest available Megabus trip will get you to Madison in 1 hours and 15 minutes .

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of one hour and 40 minutes to cover the 76 miles from Milwaukee to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 15 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 Milwaukee to Madison 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, 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Milwaukee to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 36 scheduled buses that travel from Milwaukee to Madison 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 Milwaukee to Madison without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Milwaukee to Madison; ticket prices start at $25.00.

City Information

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.

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 Milwaukee?

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

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution
Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-1

Image credit: Payton Chung

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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

  • Milwaukee (Downtown)

  • 2200 E Kenwood Blvd

Where does the bus arrive in Madison?

Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Buses arrive in Madison at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Madison:

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

  • E Johnson-E Gorham at N Pinckney St

  • E Washington - E Johnson St

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)

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