Madison to Green Bay: Ultimate Guide (2024)
Wondering how to get from Madison to Green Bay?
You’re in the right place. Green Bay is a popular beach town in Wisconsin, located right on Lake Michigan and almost 2 hours north of Milwaukee. Its famous for the Green Bay Packers, and several exciting attractions, such as the Lambeau Field and the National Railroad Museum.
Green Bay is a popular weekend getaway destination for Wisconsinites and visitors who want to soak up local culture, and enjoy the beautiful turquoise hue or the lake. There are plenty of water and land activities, and best of all – its easy to get to Green Bay from Madison.
I’ve lived in Wisconsin for almost a decade, and can share with you the easiest ways to get to Green Bay from Madison. You can get there by either car, train, bus or even a flight.
I will go through the details of each option, so you can decide which mode of transportation is best for getting you to Green Bay from Madison.
Wandering Michigan Wisconsin contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of the links below, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we use and trust.
Read our disclaimer for more information.
Madison to Green Bay Distance
Green Bay is 138 miles from Madison, which means you can get there in as little as 2 hours and 40 minutes by car, without stopping.
Having said that, there are a few different public transportation options between Madison and Green Bay besides driving, and the journey between the two cities can be around 3 hours, give or take – depending on the option you choose.
Green Bay from Madison Options
Your options for getting to Green Bay from Madison include car, bus, train and flight.
Let’s go through each of the four options below so you can determine which is best for you, based on your Wisconsin itinerary.
#1: Driving
It’s pretty simple to drive from Madison to Green Bay. The drive would take you approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, and most of it would be along Highway 151.
The drive is scenic and takes you through several towns. You could drive straight there directly, or you could make a road trip out of it and stop at a few of the destinations along the way.
The drive will take you past Lake Winnebago, and there are a few towns you could take a short detour at, such as Fond du Lac or OshKosh.
If you’re short on time, then I recommend driving directly from Madison to Green Bay. If you’re more flexible however, then I recommend seeing a little more of our beautiful and scenic state while you’re at it.
#2: Taking the Train
Amtrak offers rail services between Madison and Green Bay. Travelling by train gives you the ability to relax while you enjoy the scenic beauty of Wisconsin pass you by.
Taking the train from Madison to Green Bay takes a lot longer than it needs to, because currently, there are transfers that the train needs to make.
Amtrak has plans for a one-way route between Madison and Green Bay, but it hasn’t happened yet. Currently, if you want to take the train to Green Bay to Madison, you’ll need to be ok with 1-2 transfers.
A train ticket to Green Bay from Madison can be booked on the Amtrak website, or on a third-party website called Wanderu.
There are both one way, and roundtrip tickets, and the cost is around $30-$40 per person, depending on the day and the route.
The closest train station to Green Bay is called the Green Bay Transportation Center at 901 University Ave, which is right in the heart of town. From the Green Bay train station at 901 University avenue, you’re within walking distance to several hotels and restaurants in the area.
Pro Tip: There are two train stations in Madison, but only one in Green Bay. The train stations in Madison are Dutch Mill Park and Ride and the University of Wisconsin Gordon Center, and the train station in Green Bay is called the Transportation Centre (GBY.)
#3: Taking the Bus
Taking a bus is currently the best way to get from Madison to Green Bay. It’s the fastest public transportation option, and there are two main bus companies that offer services between the two cities:
● Greyhound
● Megabus
Aboard the buses are power outlets, washrooms, and air-conditioning.
Both Greyhound and Megabus are very reputable, and offer reliable services to passengers wanting to travel around Wisconsin and out of state. The one you choose to get you to Green Bay may depend on which offers a route that works best for your schedule.
The bus takes a little longer than driving, however, it is a low-stress way of traveling between the two cities.
The tickets cost between $35-$55 per adult, depending on the route and time of day you choose.
Similar to taking a train to Green Bay, if you take a bus to Green Bay, then you will be dropped off at 901 University Ave in the city center. This is conveniently close to restaurants, hotels and several attractions.
Most buses from Madison arrive in Green Bay close to lunch or dinner time, so this is especially convenient.
Pro Tip: If your reason for going to Green Bay is to attend a Packer’s game, another option to consider is a Rally Ride Share. This is best for people who are going to Green Bay exclusively for the Packers.
#4: Flying
There are flights between Madison and Green Bay, but flying between the two cities is not the option that I would recommend.
The flights between Madison and Green Bay tend to do layovers in Chicago, which takes you in the opposite direction, and it takes longer overall (3-4 hours) then using a ground transportation instead.
Flying from Madison to Green Bay is also pretty costly, an average of $200 per ticket. Its much cheaper and faster to take ground transportation.
However, if you prefer to fly as opposed to driving or taking a bus or train, then you can book your flight on Expedia.
Madison to Green Bay FAQs
Yes, there are a few transportation options between Madison and Green Bay. You can get there by train, car, bus or even a flight. The fastest way to get to Green Bay from Madison via pubic transportation is by bus, which currently only takes 3 hours.
Green Bay is not really near Madison, but it isn’t too far away either. You can get from Madison to Green Bay in about 3 hours, more or less, and there are a few different transportation options.
Green Bay is 138 miles from Madison, and it takes more or less 3 hours to get to Green Bay from Madison, depending on how you decide to get there. If you drive or take a bus, then the journey is about 3 hours, but if you fly or take a train, then it could be much longer because of transfers.
Final Thoughts: How to Get from Madison to Green Bay
By now, you know your options for getting from Madison to Green Bay. The best way to go between the two cities is to drive or take a bus, because these two options take the least amount of time.
Regardless of which option you take to get there, there are many things to do in Green Bay to fill your time there with excitement.
Whether you live in Wisconsin or are visiting from out of state (or country), I hope that this guide has helped you narrow down the best option for you to bring you to Green Bay from Madison.
More Wandering Michigan Wisconsin
23 BEST Things To Do In Fond du Lac Wisconsin 2024
21 Fun Things to Do in Stevens Point Wisconsin for 2024
23 Best Things to Do in Superior Wisconsin
11 Best Things to Do in Genoa City Wisconsin
15 Things to Do in Oxford Wisconsin
23 Things to Do Around Racine Wisconsin
15 Things to Know Before Moving to Wisconsin
13 Best Ice Fishing Lakes in Wisconsin
Pros and Cons of Living in Wisconsin
17 Best Lake Michigan Towns in Wisconsin to Visit in 2024
