The cheapest and fastest buses from Washington, DC to Madison, WI
Cheapest price
$148
Average price
$154
Fastest journey
23 h
Average duration
1 d 1 h 32 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
1136 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Washington, DC to Madison, WI is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Washington, DC to Madison, WI will cost around $154 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $148.
It's difficult to get from Washington, DC to Madison, WI without transferring at least once.
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus1:30 PM23h55Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station12:25 PMMadison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride)$1481One-way2 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus1:30 PM24h15Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station12:45 PMMadison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI$1511One-way2 transfers
+
FlixBus5:35 PM23h00Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station3:35 PMMadison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride)$1511One-way1 transfer
+
FlixBus5:35 PM23h15Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station3:50 PMMadison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI$1511One-way1 transfer
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus+
11:35 PM37h50Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station12:25 PMMadison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride)$1541One-way4 transfers
+
FlixBus5:35 PM23h00Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station3:35 PMMadison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride)$1511One-way1 transfer
+
FlixBus5:35 PM23h15Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station3:50 PMMadison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI$1511One-way1 transfer
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus1:30 PM23h55Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station12:25 PMMadison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride)$1481One-way2 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus1:30 PM24h15Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station12:45 PMMadison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI$1511One-way2 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus+
10:05 AM33h15Washington, DuPont Circle (Connecticut Ave. NW / 20th St. NW)6:20 PMMadison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI$1691One-way3 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Washington, DC to Madison, WI
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Madison, WI among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $210. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 32m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $210, and a flight costs an average of $398.
Distance: 705 miles (1136 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$219 Average price Cheapest | $448 Average price | $278 Average price | $169 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
26h 14m Average total duration 25h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 32m Average total duration Fastest 3h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 23h 23m Average total duration 22h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 53m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to Madison, WI:
A bus is $59 (€48) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Madison, WI costing on average $278 (€227).
A bus is $229 (€187) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Madison, WI costing on average $448 (€367).
Other travel options to Madison, WI take longer:
Train takes on average 22h 53m.
Bus takes on average 25h 44m.
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.
Washington, DC to Madison, WI Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:05AM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 33h15 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $131 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 26h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $125 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 23h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $127 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 23h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $126 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 37h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $128 |
Live departures
Washington, DC to Madison, WI bus times
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Madison, WI buses for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus+![]() | 10:05 AM Washington, DuPont Circle (Connecticut Ave. NW / 20th St. NW) | 33h15 | 6:20 PM Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI | 3 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:30 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 24h15 | 12:45 PM Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:30 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 23h55 | 12:25 PM Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) | 2 transfers | |
+ FlixBus | 5:35 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 23h00 | 3:35 PM Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) | 1 transfer | |
+ FlixBus | 5:35 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 23h15 | 3:50 PM Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+ · + FlixBus | 11:35 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 37h50 | 12:25 PM Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) | 4 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Washington, DC to Madison, WI by bus, train, or flight
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.
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27
Why should you book Washington, DC to Madison, WI buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Greyhound with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Washington, DC to Madison, WI.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Washington, DC to Madison, WI.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Washington, DC to Madison, WI
Buses from Washington, DC to Madison, WI run on average 8 times per day, taking around 25h 44m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $210 (€172) but you can travel from only $208 (€170) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 06:30, the last at 20:00. The fastest bus covers the 705 miles (1136 km) distance in 23h 0m.
Distance 705 miles (1136 km) |
Average bus duration 25h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $210 (€172) |
Buses per day 8 |
Fastest bus 23h 0m |
First bus 6:30 AM |
Last bus 8:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Bus providers: Greyhound from Washington, DC to Madison, WIYou can travel by bus between Washington, DC to Madison, WI with Greyhound for as low as $208 (€170). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Washington, DC to Madison, WI
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Madison, WI 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 Madison, WI, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Wisconsin State Capitol, an iconic building with a stunning dome and guided tours available
- Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a 16-acre garden featuring diverse plant collections and a Thai pavilion
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, a research facility with extensive trails and ecological communities
- Chazen Museum of Art, a museum with a vast collection of artworks from different periods and cultures
- Henry Vilas Zoo, a family-friendly zoo with a variety of animal exhibits and free admission.
- Stroll through the Dane County Farmers' Market, the largest producer-only farmers' market in the U.S., offering fresh local produce and artisanal goods
- Enjoy outdoor activities at Lake Mendota, where you can kayak, sail, or relax by the lakeside
- Attend a performance at the Overture Center for the Arts, featuring a variety of shows from Broadway productions to local performances
- Explore the vibrant Monroe Street, known for its unique shops, cafes, and local eateries
- Take a bike ride along the Capital City State Trail, offering scenic views and a connection to other regional trails.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Washington, DC to Madison, WI
- 05:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- McDonald's (in the station)
- Shake Shack (in the station)
- Available outside the main entrance
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station
- Bus: 96, 97, D6 Metro: Red Train: Amtrak, MARC, VRE
More options for your journey from Washington, DC to Madison, WI
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
