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Indianapolis to Columbus bus

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Indianapolis - Columbus Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 14 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Columbus. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Columbus usually takes around 11 hours, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance168 mi (270 km)
Shortest duration3h 30m
Cheapest price$43.99
Trips per day5
Most frequent serviceBarons Bus Lines
Bus lines3

How much is a bus ticket from Indianapolis to Columbus?

Bus tickets for a trip from Indianapolis to Columbus cost $45.93 on average. Tickets cheaper than $45.93 are an excellent bargain. 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

$75$50$25AprApr

If you're planning to travel by bus from Indianapolis to Columbus in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $52 to $71. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 9, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Columbus this week, bus tickets are available starting at $67.

Monthly average prices

$75$60$45$30$15MJJASONDJFMA
Bus tickets from Indianapolis to Columbus are at their cheapest average price in July. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $55. On the other hand, traveling on this route during January might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for January trips cost $67, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

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 18 days in advance to save up to $26.65.

What bus companies travel from Indianapolis to Columbus?

There are 3 bus lines from Indianapolis to Columbus available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 9 daily trips, Barons Bus Lines 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
Barons Bus Lines917h 16m$87.30
FlixBus US23h 35m$47.69
Greyhound34h 11m$47.28
  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Indianapolis to Columbus from $64. There are 9 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Indianapolis to Columbus and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Columbus. In Indianapolis, Barons Bus Lines departs to Columbus from 350 S Illinois St . In Columbus, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Columbus (Airport) and 2 other stations.

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Indianapolis to Columbus takes 17 hours and 16 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Columbus in 3 hours and 30 minutes .

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 9 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Columbus.

  • 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 2 trips per day from Indianapolis to Columbus, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 3 bus trips from Indianapolis to Columbus every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbus usually start from $44.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 11 hours to cover the 168 miles from Indianapolis to Columbus. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road 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.

Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Columbus, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 14 scheduled buses that travel from Indianapolis to Columbus every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

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.

Columbus

Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.

As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.

Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

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Main 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 bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • E Washington St

Where does the bus arrive in Columbus?

Main arrival station: Columbus (Airport)

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

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus (Airport)

  • Columbus, OH (Bus Station)

  • Columbus

  • Ohio State University

  • 100 E Rich St

Get around town with Moovit

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