- Must visit
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
World-class children's museum with science, history, dinosaurs, sports, and immersive exhibits. One of Indianapolis's signature attractions for all ages.
Cheapest price
$103
Average price
$103
Fastest journey
10 h 20 m
Average duration
10 h 20 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
539 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Columbia, MO to Indianapolis, IN is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Columbia, MO to Indianapolis, IN will cost around $103 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $103.
Of the 1 buses that leave Columbia, MO for Indianapolis, IN on Thu, Aug 06, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 06 the direct buses cover the 539 km distance in an average of 10 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h 20 m .
On Thu, Aug 06 the slowest buses will take 10 h 20 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Columbia, MO to Indianapolis, IN among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $62. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 28m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $62, and a flight costs an average of $420.
Distance: 334 miles (539 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$88 Average price Cheapest | $988 Average price | $73 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 35m Average total duration 10h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 28m Average total duration Fastest 4h 28m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Columbia, MO to Indianapolis, IN:
A bus is $900 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Columbia, MO to Indianapolis, IN costing on average $988.
Other travel options to Indianapolis, IN take longer:
Bus takes on average 10h 5m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:05AM | Arrival Time 11:25AM | Duration 10h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $103 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:05AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 10h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:40AM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 07:30AM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 14h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:35PM | Arrival Time 07:30AM | Duration 9h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:35PM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 14h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
The table below shows live departures for Columbia, MO to Indianapolis, IN buses for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
· | 8:30 AM Columbia, Wabash Bus Station, MO | 9h50 | 7:20 PM Indianapolis, Illinois St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 1 transfer | |
· | 10:40 AM Columbia, Highway 40 W (Midway Truck Plaza), MO | 7h40 | 7:20 PM Indianapolis, Illinois St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 1 transfer | |
+ FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:05 PM Columbia, Wabash Bus Station, MO | 14h45 | 11:50 AM Indianapolis, E Washington St / N Delaware St (City/County Building), IN | 2 transfers | |
· | 8:05 PM Columbia, Wabash Bus Station, MO | 10h25 | 7:30 AM Indianapolis, Illinois St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 1 transfer | |
| Wednesday, August 5 | |||||
![]() | 1:05 AM Columbia, MO | 10h20 | 11:25 AM Indianapolis, IN | 0 transfersDirect | |
+ FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:35 PM Columbia, Highway 40 W (Midway Truck Plaza), MO | 14h15 | 11:50 AM Indianapolis, E Washington St / N Delaware St (City/County Building), IN | 2 transfers | |
· | 8:35 PM Columbia, Highway 40 W (Midway Truck Plaza), MO | 9h55 | 7:30 AM Indianapolis, Illinois St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Columbia, MO to Indianapolis, IN run on average 4 times per day, taking around 10h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $62 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 03:30, the last at 20:35. The fastest bus covers the 334 miles (539 km) distance in 9h 50m.
Distance 334 miles (539 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price $62 |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 9h 50m |
First bus 3:30 AM |
Last bus 8:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Discover the best of Indianapolis, IN — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Indianapolis, IN trip today.
World-class children's museum with science, history, dinosaurs, sports, and immersive exhibits. One of Indianapolis's signature attractions for all ages.
Leading art museum set on the Newfields campus, with major collections from Europe, Asia, Africa, and America plus temporary exhibitions.
Museum and restored home of the 23rd U.S. president. Guided visits reveal politics, domestic life, and architecture from the late 1800s.
Pedestrian-friendly downtown canal lined with museums, public art, and boats. Ideal for a scenic walk and one of the city's most popular areas.
Historic city center surrounding the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. A signature urban space for architecture, events, and classic downtown views.
Popular cultural trail linking downtown districts with public art, bike lanes, and green streetscape design. Perfect for exploring the city on foot.
Indiana pork tenderloin sandwich is a breaded, fried cutlet served on a bun, often comically oversized. It is a beloved statewide classic common in Indianapolis pubs and diners.
Sugar cream pie is Indiana's state pie, made with cream, sugar, and nutmeg. Its simple farm-pantry origins make it a traditional Hoosier dessert tied closely to local identity.
Shrimp cocktail in Indianapolis style features chilled shrimp with very spicy tomato-horseradish sauce. St. Elmo made this fiery version a city dining icon.
Established fine-dining restaurant serving seasonal Midwestern cuisine with polished service. Known for refined plates and a warm, contemporary atmosphere.
Historic downtown steakhouse famous for aged steaks and the city's iconic fiery shrimp cocktail. Classic, upscale atmosphere with longstanding local prestige.
Long-running Indianapolis institution known for classic steaks, seafood, and old-school service. A traditional downtown choice with historic local character.
Moderate for a U.S. city: hotels and dining are mid-range, while transit is limited so many visitors use rideshare or rental cars.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, $1-$2 per drink at bars, and 10-15% for taxis. Small cafe tips are appreciated but optional.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Columbia, MO to Indianapolis, IN by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Indianapolis, IN, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Columbia, MO to Indianapolis, IN buses use the Columbia, Highway 40 W (Midway Truck Plaza) to Indianapolis, Illinois St (Greyhound Bus Station) station pair, with some services arriving at Indianapolis, E Washington St / N Delaware St (City/County Building). Use this guide to compare Columbia, MO and Indianapolis, IN bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need