- Must visit
Walker Art Center
Major contemporary art museum with acclaimed architecture, rotating exhibitions, and one of the top collections in the region.
Cheapest price
$43
Average price
$48
Fastest journey
5 h 20 m
Average duration
5 h 33 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
375 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN will cost around $48 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $43.
Of the 3 buses that leave Madison, WI for Minneapolis, MN on Sat, Aug 01, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Aug 01 the direct buses cover the 375 km distance in an average of 5 h 33 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 20 m .
On Sat, Aug 01 the slowest buses will take 5 h 45 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
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $40. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 5h 47m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $40, and a flight costs an average of $223.
Distance: 233 miles (375 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$65 Average price Cheapest | $173 Average price | $507 Average price | $55 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 17m Average total duration Fastest 5h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 11m Average total duration 10h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 0m Average total duration 7h 0m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 10m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN:
A bus is $108 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN costing on average $173.
A bus is $442 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN costing on average $507.
Other travel options to Minneapolis, MN take longer:
Flight takes on average 7h 0m.
Train takes on average 10h 41m.
You'll arrive about -1h -37m sooner (5h 47m by bus vs 5h 10m by car) and save roughly $-10.49 compared to fuel and tolls ($65 vs $55). 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 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 12:10AM | Arrival Time 05:20AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:10AM | Arrival Time 06:20AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:55PM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 12:05AM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $39 |
The table below shows live departures for Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN buses for today, Friday, July 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 12:30 PM Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) | 5h45 | 6:15 PM Minneapolis, 5th St Transit Center (Ramp B), MN | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 12:55 PM Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI | 5h20 | 6:15 PM Minneapolis, 5th St Transit Center (Ramp B), MN | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:30 PM Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI | 5h35 | 12:05 AM Minneapolis, 5th St Transit Center (Ramp B), MN | 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 Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN run on average 7 times per day, taking around 5h 47m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $40 if you book in advance.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 21:10. The fastest bus covers the 233 miles (375 km) distance in 5h 10m.
Distance 233 miles (375 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price $40 |
Buses per day 7 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 5h 10m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 9:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Minneapolis, MN — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Minneapolis, MN trip today.
Major contemporary art museum with acclaimed architecture, rotating exhibitions, and one of the top collections in the region.
Smithsonian-affiliated history museum inside Mill City Museum, exploring Minneapolis industry, flour, and riverfront development.
Leading fine arts museum with global collections, period rooms, and strong Native, Asian, and modern works.
Famous urban sculpture garden with the Spoonbridge and Cherry, linking art, skyline views, and easy walking paths.
Lakeside park with beaches, trails, and classic Minneapolis scenery; ideal for walks, biking, and sunset views.
Historic riverfront district with cobbled character, trails, bridges, and excellent views of the Mississippi and downtown.
The iconic Minnesota hot dish: ground beef, vegetables, cream soup, and tater tots baked until crisp. A beloved Upper Midwest comfort food common at family gatherings.
A Scandinavian potato flatbread central to Minnesota holiday tables. It reflects the region’s strong Nordic heritage and is often served with butter or sugar.
Minnesota’s famous wild rice soup combines nutty native wild rice with cream, vegetables, and often chicken. It highlights an ingredient deeply tied to the state.
Acclaimed fine-dining destination showcasing Minnesota ingredients with refined tasting menus. Elegant, polished, and nationally respected.
Long-running restaurant known for excellent walleye and classic supper-club style. Comfortable setting near Minnehaha Falls.
Legendary South Minneapolis tavern famous for the original Juicy Lucy. Casual, lively, and essential for a classic local burger experience.
Moderate for a major US city. Hotels, dining, and attractions are mid-priced, while transit is affordable and budget eats are easy to find.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, 10-15% for taxis, and spare change or $1 at cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN 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 Minneapolis, MN, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN buses use the Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) to Minneapolis, Hawthorne Ave & 10th St N station pair. Use this guide to compare Madison, WI and Minneapolis, MN 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