How much is the bus ticket from Madison to Milwaukee?

The cheapest bus tickets from Madison to Milwaukee start from $21. The average price for this route is around $27. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

How long is the bus ride from Madison to Milwaukee?

The average bus trip duration from Madison to Milwaukee is 1h 45m, covering a distance of 74 miles (119 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 1h 5m and is operated by FlixBus .

Which bus companies service the Madison to Milwaukee route?

Several major bus companies operate on this route with 44 buses available per day, including services from Badger Bus , Amtrak , FlixBus , Jefferson Lines , Megabus , Greyhound .

What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Madison to Milwaukee?

The earliest bus departs from Madison to Milwaukee at 6:30am. And the latest bus departs at 8:45pm.

What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Madison to Milwaukee?

A bus trip from Madison to Milwaukee generates an estimated 3 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.

What is the best bus company from Madison to Milwaukee?

According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Badger Bus , with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 47 reviews.

Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Madison to Milwaukee?

Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Amtrak has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.

Which bus company has the most timely service from Madison to Milwaukee?

According to Busbud traveler reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is Badger Bus , with a punctuality rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Madison to Milwaukee?

According to Busbud traveler reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Badger Bus , with a cleanliness rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Bus Madison to Milwaukee from $16 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

More dates

Next departures for Madison to Milwaukee on February 9
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
5:50pm	University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center	1h 40m	7:30pm	St. Paul & N5th	Cheapest
1:45pm	Dutch Mill Park & Ride	1h 5m	2:50pm	Goerke's Corners Park & Ride (Brookfield)	Fastest
2:45am	Dutch Mill Park & Ride	6h 53m	9:38am	MKE Airport - Trains	No tags
1:25pm	North Lake St	1h 45m	3:10pm	Milwaukee Bus Station, St. Paul & N6th road.	No tags
6:33am	Madison Stop - East Johnson-East Johnson Street corner of E. Johnson St and N. Pinckney	1h 57m	8:30am	Milwaukee Mitchell MKE Airport	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 4:57 PM CST.

View all departures

Get from Madison to Milwaukee

This route is served by bus only

The journey takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and with fares starting at just $21, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

44bus per day

1h 45mAverage Duration

74 milesDistance

3kgCO₂ emissions

Where are the popular stops in Madison and Milwaukee?

Stops in Madison

A
UW Memorial Union
800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53715, USA
B
Dutch Mill Park & Ride
4 Collins Ct, Madison, WI 53716, USA

Stops in Milwaukee

A
Milwaukee Airport
Visit page
B
Intermodal Station
433 W St Paul Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA
Visit page
C
S Cesar Chavez
1016 S Cesar E Chavez Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA

Compare bus companies

Badger Bus

4/547 reviews

Staff4.5

Timeliness4.9

Cleanliness4.7

Wifi3.1

Passengers generally appreciate the comfortable and clean rides, with buses arriving and departing on time. The drivers are often described as friendly, helpful, and informative during trips. However, some users mentioned minor issues such as a rattling window area or non-functional electricity. Additionally, there were concerns about certain bus stop locations being less than ideal for waiting passengers.

Badger Bus Madison Milwaukee recent customer reviews

Large seats with ample leg room. Smooth ride, on time in good weather. Pleasant and helpful driver.

Wanda H.

October 27, 2025

I spent 30 min waiting in the drizzling rain only to be driven right past me. I ran after the bus, only to have it turn away from me. It circled back around the block and the driver blamed me saying I wasn't standing waiting for him, which was a lie, I got up as soon as I saw the bus headlights.

Jeffrey W.

October 23, 2025

I enjoyed the fact that our driver was on time and kept us informed about when he’d be stopping to pick up another passenger and where

Brenda H.

February 25, 2025

Amtrak

4/55,757 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

Based on 5757 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $38

Amtrak Madison Milwaukee recent customer reviews

We waited two hours but never showed call customer service they couldn’t answer any questions for us end up paying someone to take us to a destination will never use the service again

Justice N.

June 25, 2024

The driver was very friendly and helpful.

William W.

June 7, 2022

FlixBus

3.5/512,192 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.7

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

FlixBus Madison Milwaukee recent customer reviews

I missed my bus because the bus didn't have the correct nnumber.The bus number indicated on the ticket and the actual number of the bus i didn't ride were different.

Abdurrahman W.

October 16, 2025

First off the bus was late arriving at the pickup point. The pickup was 8 pm and he showed up after 8:30 pm. The driver seemed incompetent to figure out his route either via his navigation on his phone or whatever he was using. Every stop was an adventure. We arrived at our destination over an hour late because of his incompetence

Kurt C.

June 10, 2024

The bus was on time. However, I was looking for bus 2548 (think that was the number) although a different bus showed up. How would I know that was bus I was supposed to take since it’s not what my ticket said. Thankfully a bus driver who I asked a question from on another company told me to ask

Carol I.

March 6, 2024

Jefferson Lines

4/5766 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness3.7

Cleanliness4.4

Wifi2.3

Founded in 1919, Jefferson Lines provides bus services across the Midwest in the US. Their buses have WiFi, USB plugs, bathrooms, reclining seats, reading lights and GPS tracking. Tickets are non-refundable, but you can change the date by paying a fee. Known for their affordable prices and convenient schedules, if you're looking to travel in the Midwest, Jefferson Lines is the way to go.

Jefferson Lines Madison Milwaukee recent customer reviews

Great service.

Nickolas N.

February 21, 2022

Megabus

3.5/5419 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness3.7

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi2.4

Traveling with Megabus from Madison to Milwaukee is an affordable and reliable way to reach your destination. The company provides amenities like comfortable seats and free Wi-Fi (on most buses), ensuring a comfortable journey. Discover an easy and budget-friendly travel option to Milwaukee with Megabus. Tickets start at just $27, with an average price of around $27, making it an accessible choice for travelers.

Megabus US Madison Milwaukee recent customer reviews

The bus never appeared

Leidy L.

February 21, 2025

Greyhound

3.5/587,521 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.9

Cleanliness3.4

Wifi2.5

Greyhound Lines offers the most comprehensive intercity bus services in the United States. They operate a modern, environmentally friendly fleet that serves more than 2400 destinations and carries nearly 16 million passengers annually. When traveling with them, you can expect free WiFi, onboard entertainment, bathrooms, power outlets and decent legroom. One of the great perks of Greyhound is that they connect big cities and smaller towns in the US, where you usually can't get to by train or plane. If you're looking for safe and affordable transportation, Greyhound is a great choice.

US bus companies:FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Greyhound, ALSA, Intercape, Trenitalia, Big Sky

Frequently asked questions about traveling from Madison, WI to Milwaukee by bus

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

How much is the bus ticket from Madison to Milwaukee?
The cheapest bus tickets from Madison to Milwaukee start from $21. The average price for this route is around $27. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Madison to Milwaukee?
The average bus trip duration from Madison to Milwaukee is 1h 45m, covering a distance of 74 miles (119 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 1h 5m and is operated by FlixBus.
Which bus companies service the Madison to Milwaukee route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 44 buses available per day, including services from Badger Bus, Amtrak, FlixBus, Jefferson Lines, Megabus, Greyhound.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Madison to Milwaukee?
The earliest bus departs from Madison to Milwaukee at 6:30am. And the latest bus departs at 8:45pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Madison to Milwaukee?
A bus trip from Madison to Milwaukee generates an estimated 3 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Madison to Milwaukee?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Badger Bus, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 47 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Madison to Milwaukee?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Amtrak has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.
Which bus company has the most timely service from Madison to Milwaukee?
According to Busbud traveler reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is Badger Bus, with a punctuality rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Madison to Milwaukee?
According to Busbud traveler reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Badger Bus, with a cleanliness rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

02/06

$22

02/07

$22

Today

$22

02/09

$19

02/10

$18

02/11

$16

02/12

$17

02/13

$21

The cheapest trip from Madison, WI to Milwaukee was searched and found on Feb 11, 2026 with a price of $16

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Madison, WI to Milwaukee, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $16 to $81 for a bus ticket from Madison, WI to Milwaukee based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $16 which is on 2026-02-11.

Usually Amtrak will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.