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Journey Information
There are 4 intercity buses per day from Madison to St Louis. Traveling by bus from Madison to St Louis usually takes around 12 hours and 50 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 310 mi (499 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $48.98 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Madison to St Louis?
Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to St Louis cost $58.43 on average. Tickets cheaper than $58.43 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
If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to St Louis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $55 to $94. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 7, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to St Louis this week, bus tickets are available starting at $59.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
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 27 days in advance to save $115.07 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from Madison to St Louis?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Madison to St Louis that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 10h 11m | $110.11 |
| Greyhound | 3 | 13h 6m | $82.97 |
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 Madison to St Louis, 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 Madison to St Louis every day, with the average journey taking around 13 hours and 6 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to St Louis usually start from $43.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 50 minutes to cover the 310 miles from Madison to St Louis. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 hours and 5 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to St Louis at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to St Louis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to St Louis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madison to St Louis; ticket prices start at $64.00.
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.
St Louis
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Madison?
Main departure station: Phillips 66
Buses to St Louis leave from 3 stations in Madison.
All bus stations in Madison:
Phillips 66
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
Where does the bus arrive in St Louis?
Main arrival station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
All buses from Madison arrive at one main station in St Louis.
All bus stations in St Louis:
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
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