- Must visit
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The world's largest children's museum, known for immersive science, culture, and history exhibits and strong family appeal.
Cheapest price
$52
Average price
$83
Fastest journey
3 h 30 m
Average duration
4 h 2 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
270 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Columbus, OH 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 Columbus, OH to Indianapolis, IN will cost around $83 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $52.
Of the 6 buses that leave Columbus, OH for Indianapolis, IN on Thu, Jul 02, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 02 the direct buses cover the 270 km distance in an average of 4 h 2 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 30 m .
On Thu, Jul 02 the slowest buses will take 4 h 40 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus

FlixBus
FlixBus


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Columbus, OH to Indianapolis, IN among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $32. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 56m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $32, and a flight costs an average of $134.
Distance: 167 miles (270 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$43 Average price Cheapest | $380 Average price | $35 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 26m Average total duration Fastest 3h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 46m Average total duration 5h 46m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 46m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Columbus, OH to Indianapolis, IN:
A bus is $337 (€278) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Columbus, OH to Indianapolis, IN costing on average $380 (€313).
Other travel options to Indianapolis, IN take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 46m.
You'll arrive about -2h -10m sooner (3h 56m by bus vs 2h 46m by car) and save roughly $-7.84 (€-6.46) compared to fuel and tolls ($43 (€35) vs $35 (€29)). 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 Greyhound, FlixBus.
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 FlixBus | Departure Time 03:30AM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:40AM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:50AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 01:15PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 03:00AM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:50PM | Arrival Time 04:10AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
The table below shows live departures for Columbus, OH to Indianapolis, IN buses for today, Wednesday, July 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 11:30 PM Columbus, E Town St (Bus Station), OH | 3h30 | 3:00 AM Indianapolis, E Washington St / N Delaware St (City/County Building), IN | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:50 PM Columbus, E Mound St (Akili Christian High School), OH | 4h20 | 4:10 AM Indianapolis, Illinois St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, July 2 | |||||
![]() | 4:40 AM Columbus, E Mound St (Akili Christian High School), OH | 4h40 | 9:20 AM Indianapolis, Illinois St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:45 AM Columbus, E Town St (Bus Station), OH | 3h30 | 1:15 PM Indianapolis, E Washington St / N Delaware St (City/County Building), IN | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:00 AM Columbus, E Town St (Bus Station), OH | 5h00 | 4:00 PM Indianapolis, E Washington St / N Delaware St (City/County Building), IN | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:00 PM Columbus, E Mound St (Akili Christian High School), OH | 4h10 | 6:10 PM Indianapolis, Illinois St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Columbus, OH to Indianapolis, IN run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 56m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $32 (€27) if you book in advance.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 167 miles (270 km) distance in 3h 30m.
Distance 167 miles (270 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 (€27) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 3h 30m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Indianapolis — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Indianapolis trip today.
The world's largest children's museum, known for immersive science, culture, and history exhibits and strong family appeal.
A major art museum with global collections, contemporary works, and landscaped grounds that make it one of the city's top cultural visits.
A famous motorsports museum showcasing Indy 500 history, winning cars, and racing heritage tied closely to the city.
The symbolic heart of downtown, centered on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and surrounded by historic buildings and city energy.
A lively cultural corridor known for independent shops, murals, nightlife, and a walkable urban atmosphere popular with locals.
A well-designed urban trail connecting neighborhoods, public art, and major attractions, especially popular for walking and cycling.
A Hoosier classic: a breaded and fried pork cutlet served on a bun, often comically larger than the bread. It is one of Central Indiana’s most iconic comfort foods.
Indiana’s unofficial state pie, made with a simple custard-style filling of cream, sugar, and vanilla, often finished with cinnamon or nutmeg. It is a longtime regional dessert tradition.
Indianapolis is famous for a fiery version of shrimp cocktail served with extra-spicy tomato-horseradish sauce. It became a signature steakhouse starter in the city.
Historic downtown steakhouse best known for classic steaks, old-school service, and its famous spicy shrimp cocktail. A landmark Indianapolis dining experience.
Well-regarded modern American restaurant in the Fletcher Place area, known for seasonal cooking, creative small plates, and a stylish setting.
Classic, old-school tavern famous for thin griddled burgers and a no-frills neighborhood feel. It is one of the city’s most beloved casual food spots.
Generally affordable by major U.S. city standards. Hotels vary by events; dining and transport are usually moderate.
Tip 18-20% at full-service restaurants; 15-20% for taxis and rideshares. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, USD 2-5 for hotel staff, and round up for casual service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Columbus, OH 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 Columbus, OH to Indianapolis, IN buses use the Columbus, E Town St (Bus Station) 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 Columbus, OH 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