5.0
Pros: I am very happy with the experience. Cons: Nothing the company Is good.
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Indianapolis to Madison. Traveling by train from Indianapolis to Madison usually takes 11 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 10 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 283 mi (456 km) |
| Fastest train | 10h 5m |
| Lowest price | $67.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Indianapolis to Madison
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Indianapolis to Madison?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Indianapolis and Madison cost $75.71, on average. Booking your trip at least 24 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $9.53 more.
Average prices by travel date
The average cost of a one-way train trip from Indianapolis to Madison is expected to fluctuate between $72 and $81 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Madison in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Indianapolis is $72.
Monthly avg. prices
Mark your calendar for February if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Indianapolis to Madison. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $75. If you're planning a trip from Indianapolis to Madison during September, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $84 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Indianapolis to Madison. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 24 days before departure, you can save around $9.53. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from Indianapolis to Madison?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Indianapolis to Madison. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 11h 18m | $78.01 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 2 Amtrak trains from Indianapolis to Madison every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $67.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the train is the main method of transportation from Indianapolis to Madison, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.
The distance between Indianapolis and Madison is approximately 283 miles, or 456 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 hours and 5 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Tuesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Indianapolis to Madison. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Tuesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Saturday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Indianapolis at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 5:00am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Indianapolis twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Madison to Indianapolis.
City Information
Indianapolis
Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.
Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.
Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.
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 is the train station in Indianapolis?
Image credit: Panoramio upload bot
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 350 S Illinois St
Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.
All train stations in Indianapolis:
350 S Illinois St
Where is the train station in Madison?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Madison receives travelers from Indianapolis at its two active train stations.
All train stations in Madison:
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
Get around town with Moovit
Find the best way to get to and from any station in Madison by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now
Need a return trip from Madison to Indianapolis?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Indianapolis
- Indianapolis to Denver Train
$167+
- Indianapolis to Hartford
$395+
- Train from Indianapolis to Sarasota
$324+
- Train from Indianapolis to Atlanta
$202+
- Train from Indianapolis to Chicago
$37+
- Train from Indianapolis to Elkhart
$68+
- Train from Indianapolis to Waterloo
$91+
- Indianapolis to Baltimore Train
$128+
- Train from Indianapolis to Ann Arbor
$119+
- Indianapolis to Troy
$114+
- Indianapolis to St Louis Train
$80+
- Train from Indianapolis to Jackson
$164+
- Train from Indianapolis to Charlotte
$178+
- Train from Indianapolis to Trenton
$172+
- Indianapolis to New York Train
$160+
- Train from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh
$156+
- Train from Indianapolis to Richmond
$198+
- Train from Indianapolis to Spokane
$277+
Continue by train from Madison
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more