- Must visit
Chazen Museum of Art
This campus museum explores social life and human cultures through archaeological and ethnographic collections and changing academic exhibitions.
Cheapest price on 19 Sept
£23
Average ticket price on 19 Sept
£29
Fastest journey on 19 Sept
3 h 5 m
Average journey duration on 19 Sept
3 h 27 m
Buses on 19 Sept
7
Distance
198 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI will cost around £29 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £23.
On Sat 19 Sept, we found 7 buses from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI, including 5 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 198 km distance in an average of 3 h 27 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 5 m .
The slowest buses will take 3 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.
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FlixBusOmio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £25 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 2h 59m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £25, while a flight costs an average of £245.
Distance: 198 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£25 Average Price Cheapest | £49 Average Price | £245 Average Price | £25 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 46m Average total duration 3h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 24m Average total duration 2h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 59m Average total duration Fastest 59m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 25m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI:
A coach is £24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI costing on average £49.
A coach is £220 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI costing on average £245.
Other travel options to Madison, WI take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 54m.
Coach takes on average 3h 16m.
Tickets start at around £25 compared to roughly £25 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £0.10. The journey takes 3h 16m versus 2h 25m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by FlixBus, Infobus, Greyhound, Vangalder Bus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Madison, WI coaches for today, Friday 18 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 12:30 Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3h20 | 15:50 Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 12:30 Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3h05 | 15:35 Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) | 0 changesdirect | |
335 · 8183 | 13:05 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 4h10 | 17:15 Madison, WI | 1 change | |
![]() | 15:00 Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3h40 | 18:40 Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI | 0 changesdirect | |
337 · 8185 | 15:15 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 4h20 | 19:35 Madison, WI | 1 change | |
+ FlixBus | 7:10 Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station, IL | 5h15 | 12:25 Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) | 1 change | |
FlixBus+![]() | 7:10 Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station, IL | 5h35 | 12:45 Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 9:00 Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3h45 | 12:45 Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison), WI | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 9:00 Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3h25 | 12:25 Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, 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 Chicago, IL to Madison, WI run on average 15 times per day, taking around 3h 16m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £17 if you book in advance.
There are 13 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 01:30, the last at 23:15. The fastest coach covers the 198 km distance in 3h 20m.
Distance 198 km |
Average bus duration 3h 16m |
Cheapest ticket price £17 |
Buses per day 15 |
Direct buses 13 |
Fastest bus 3h 20m |
First bus 1:30 |
Last bus 23:15 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Madison, WI — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Madison, WI trip today.
This campus museum explores social life and human cultures through archaeological and ethnographic collections and changing academic exhibitions.
A free contemporary art museum with rotating exhibitions, a sculpture garden and a central location just off Capitol Square.
This university museum presents geology, archaeology and cultural collections, including dinosaur displays and exhibits on Wisconsin’s natural history.
The city’s central square is ringed by historic buildings, shops and civic spaces, and hosts markets, events and easy Capitol views.
A lively downtown street for strolling, shopping and people-watching, connecting the Capitol with the university through a dense urban corridor.
This narrow pedestrian and cycle causeway across Lake Mendota delivers classic water views and links downtown with the university area.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI by coach. 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 coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Madison, WI, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Chicago, IL to Madison, WI buses use the Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station to Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison) station pair, with some services arriving at Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride). Use this guide to compare Chicago, IL and Madison, WI bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station is 2 km from Chicago city centre. Public transport options include:
Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Snack shop and vending machines available
Free Wi-Fi in waiting area. ATMs are located near entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station.
Available at Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station: Wheelchair accessible entrances and seating.
Chicago is 3 km from Chicago city centre. Public transport options include:
Chicago has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Fast food outlets are available.
Free Wi-Fi available in the waiting area. ATMs are aTM located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Chicago.
Available at Chicago: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Chicago: Wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevators.
Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station is 21 km from Chicago city centre. Public transport options include:
Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station. ATMs are available at Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station.
Ticket office support is available at Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station.
Available at Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station: Wheelchair accessible with elevator service.
Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) is 8 km from Madison city centre. Public transport options include:
Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride). ATMs are available at Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride).
Ticket office support is available at Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride).
Available at Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madison, Collins Ct (Dutch Mill Park and Ride): Accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison). ATMs are available at Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison).
Ticket office support is available at Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison).
Available at Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madison, North Lake Street (UW- Madison): Bus station is accessible for wheelchairs.
Madison has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi available in the waiting area. ATMs are available at Madison.
Ticket office support is available at Madison.
Available at Madison: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madison: Wheelchair access available.
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