- Must visit
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The world's largest children's museum, known for immersive science, history, and culture exhibits for all ages.
Cheapest price
$66
Average price
$81
Fastest journey
10 h
Average duration
10 h
Buses per day
2
Distance
213 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from South Bend, IN 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 South Bend, IN to Indianapolis, IN will cost around $81 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $66.
Of the 2 buses that leave South Bend, IN for Indianapolis, IN on Thu, May 28, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, May 28 the direct buses cover the 213 km distance in an average of 10 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h .
On Thu, May 28 the slowest buses will take 10 h 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 South Bend, IN to Indianapolis, IN among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $42. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 15m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $42, and a flight costs an average of $256.
Distance: 132 miles (213 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$78 Average price Cheapest | $387 Average price | $90 Average price | $29 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 57m Average total duration 5h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 15m Average total duration Fastest 2h 15m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 15h 17m Average total duration 14h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from South Bend, IN to Indianapolis, IN:
A bus is $12 (€10) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from South Bend, IN to Indianapolis, IN costing on average $90 (€73).
A bus is $309 (€249) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from South Bend, IN to Indianapolis, IN costing on average $387 (€312).
Other travel options to Indianapolis, IN take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 27m.
Train takes on average 14h 47m.
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 08:50AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 10h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 9h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $95 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 9h25 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $85 |
The table below shows live departures for South Bend, IN to Indianapolis, IN buses for today, Wednesday, May 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:50 PM South Bend, IN | 9h25 | 10:15 PM Indianapolis, IN | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:50 PM South Bend, IN | 9h25 | 11:15 PM Indianapolis, IN | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, 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 South Bend, IN to Indianapolis, IN run on average 2 times per day, taking around 5h 27m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $42 (€34) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 02:15, the last at 20:00. The fastest bus covers the 132 miles (213 km) distance in 6h 10m.
Distance 132 miles (213 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $42 (€34) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 6h 10m |
First bus 2:15 AM |
Last bus 8:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
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, history, and culture exhibits for all ages.
A major art campus featuring the Indianapolis Museum of Art, gardens, and rotating exhibitions in a scenic setting.
A must for racing fans, with historic cars, Indianapolis 500 artifacts, and motorsport heritage.
Downtown's central circle and gathering place, lined with historic buildings and anchored by the city's iconic monument.
Major urban park linking museums, trails, green space, and canal-side walks in the heart of the city.
Trendy cultural district known for independent shops, theaters, murals, and strong day-to-night energy.
A Hoosier classic: a breaded and fried pork cutlet served on a bun, often much larger than the bread. It is one of Central Indiana's most iconic comfort foods.
Indianapolis is famous for steakhouse-style shrimp cocktail topped with very spicy cocktail sauce, especially associated with old-school downtown dining.
Often called Hoosier pie, this simple custard-like pie made with cream, sugar, and flour is one of Indiana's signature desserts.
Historic downtown steakhouse best known for dry-aged steaks and its legendary spicy shrimp cocktail. Classic, upscale, and one of Indianapolis's most famous dining rooms.
Well-regarded New American restaurant in Fletcher Place, known for seasonal menus, thoughtful cocktails, and a stylish neighborhood setting.
Historic no-frills tavern famous for old-school burgers and a classic local atmosphere. A beloved casual stop with deep Indianapolis roots.
Moderate by U.S. city standards. Hotels vary by events, while casual dining, coffee, and transport are generally manageable.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis 10-15%, hotel staff USD 2-5, and round up for casual services.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from South Bend, IN 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need