- Must visit
Florida Museum of Natural History
The state’s official natural history museum, known for Florida fossils, biodiversity exhibits, and family-friendly displays. A top cultural stop near the university.
Cheapest price
$149
Average price
$163
Fastest journey
5 h 30 m
Average duration
6 h 28 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
432 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Margate, FL to Gainesville, FL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Margate, FL to Gainesville, FL will cost around $163 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $149.
Of the 2 buses that leave Margate, FL for Gainesville, FL on Sun, May 31, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 31 the direct buses cover the 432 km distance in an average of 6 h 28 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 30 m .
On Sun, May 31 the slowest buses will take 7 h 25 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 bus as it is the most popular option from Margate, FL to Gainesville, FL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $77. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 19m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $77, and a flight costs an average of $532.
Distance: 268 miles (432 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$77 Average price Cheapest | $77 Average price | $532 Average price | $63 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 27m Average total duration 7h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 1m Average total duration 8h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration Fastest 1h 19m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Margate, FL to Gainesville, FL:
A bus is 0 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Margate, FL to Gainesville, FL costing on average $77 (€62).
A bus is $455 (€367) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Margate, FL to Gainesville, FL costing on average $532 (€428).
Other travel options to Gainesville, FL take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 57m.
Train takes on average 8h 31m.
You'll arrive about -4h -33m sooner (7h 57m by bus vs 4h 24m by car) and save roughly $-13.59 (€-10.94) compared to fuel and tolls ($77 (€62) vs $63 (€51)). 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, RedCoach.
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 Jet Set Express | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $178 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator RedCoach | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $149 |
The table below shows live departures for Margate, FL to Gainesville, FL buses for today, Saturday, May 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:30 PM Margate, FL | 5h30 | 12:00 AM Gainesville, FL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, May 31 | |||||
![]() | 6:45 AM Margate, FL | 7h25 | 2:10 PM Gainesville, FL | 1 transfer | |
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 Margate, FL to Gainesville, FL run on average 14 times per day, taking around 7h 57m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $77 (€62) if you book in advance.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 16:00, the last at 16:00. The fastest bus covers the 268 miles (432 km) distance in 8h 0m.
Distance 268 miles (432 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 57m |
Cheapest ticket price $77 (€62) |
Buses per day 14 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 8h 0m |
First bus 4:00 PM |
Last bus 4:00 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Discover the best of Gainesville — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Gainesville trip today.
The state’s official natural history museum, known for Florida fossils, biodiversity exhibits, and family-friendly displays. A top cultural stop near the university.
A major university art museum with Asian, African, contemporary, and photography collections. Widely regarded for its strong exhibitions and free admission.
A hands-on museum focused on science, invention, and creativity, inspired by the inventor of Gatorade. Popular with families and visitors seeking interactive exhibits.
The city’s main walkable district, known for historic streetscapes, public art, events, and nightlife. A priority area for first-time visitors.
A highly popular urban park with lawns, water features, trails, and scenic views. Frequently featured on social media and excellent for a relaxed walk.
A vast natural preserve south of the city with trails, wildlife viewing, and broad prairie views. One of the area’s signature outdoor destinations.
A North Florida specialty made from alligator tail meat, usually fried or blackened. It is a regional dish strongly associated with Florida's hunting and swamp-food traditions.
A classic in North Central Florida and the wider South, typically cornmeal-coated and fried. It is popular at local fish camps and casual family restaurants.
Slow-smoked pork with regional Southern barbecue flavors, often served with beans, slaw, and sauce. Barbecue is a staple comfort food in Gainesville and inland Florida.
A well-known higher-end steakhouse featuring wood-grilled meats, seafood, and an elegant setting. Suitable for a polished dinner out.
One of Gainesville's most recognizable local restaurants, famous for pizza, salads, and quirky artistic decor. It has a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.
An established upscale-casual restaurant in downtown Gainesville, known for creative sushi, Japanese small plates, and a lively social atmosphere.
Moderate for U.S. travel. Student-focused dining keeps casual meals affordable, while hotels and upscale dining cost more on busy weekends and event dates.
Tip 15-20% at restaurants; 20% for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis or add 10-15%, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5 as appropriate.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Margate, FL to Gainesville, FL 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 Gainesville, FL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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