- 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
$74
Average price
$91
Fastest journey
16 h 20 m
Average duration
19 h 25 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
359 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from East Lansing, MI 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 East Lansing, MI to Indianapolis, IN will cost around $91 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $74.
Of the 2 buses that leave East Lansing, MI for Indianapolis, IN on Thu, Jul 23, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 23 the direct buses cover the 359 km distance in an average of 19 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 16 h 20 m .
On Thu, Jul 23 the slowest buses will take 22 h 30 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 train as it is the most popular option from East Lansing, MI to Indianapolis, IN among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $60. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 6h 25m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $60, and a flight costs an average of $208.
Distance: 223 miles (359 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$97 Average price | $81 Average price Cheapest | $360 Average price | $42 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
13h 23m Average total duration 12h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 15m Average total duration 8h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 25m Average total duration Fastest 6h 25m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from East Lansing, MI to Indianapolis, IN:
A train is $17 (€17) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from East Lansing, MI to Indianapolis, IN costing on average $97 (€97).
A train is $280 (€280) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from East Lansing, MI to Indianapolis, IN costing on average $360 (€360).
Other travel options to Indianapolis, IN take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 45m.
Bus takes on average 12h 53m.
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 FlixBus | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 18h45 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $95 |
Operator Capital Area Transportation Authority | Departure Time 06:03PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 28h22 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $86 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 16h20 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 16h20 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $108 |
The table below shows live departures for East Lansing, MI to Indianapolis, IN buses for today, Wednesday, July 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:05 PM East Lansing, MI | 16h20 | 12:25 PM Indianapolis, IN | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 East Lansing, MI to Indianapolis, IN run on average 3 times per day, taking around 12h 53m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $74 (€74) but you can travel from only $60 (€60) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 03:15, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 223 miles (359 km) distance in 12h 5m.
Distance 223 miles (359 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 53m |
Cheapest ticket price $74 (€74) |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 12h 5m |
First bus 3:15 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Discover the best of Indianapolis — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Indianapolis 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 East Lansing, MI 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 East Lansing, MI to Indianapolis, IN buses use the to Indianapolis, E Washington St / N Delaware St (City/County Building) station pair, with some services arriving at Indianapolis, Illinois St (Greyhound Bus Station). Use this guide to compare East Lansing, MI 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