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Madison to Chicago bus

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Madison - Chicago Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 62 intercity buses per day from Madison to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Madison to Chicago usually takes around 3 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest Coach USA bus can make the trip in just one hour and 55 minutes.

Distance122 mi (197 km)
Shortest duration1h 55m
Cheapest price$22.99
Trips per day70
Most frequent serviceCoach USA
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Madison to Chicago

(Based on 62 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Chinenye

January 18, 2024- Business

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: The driver was nice and courteous. We did not encounter any problems along the way. Cons: N/A.

5.0

Eden

December 28, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Nice. Cons: I used bus for travel.i don't have any problems. Tips: It's safety and clean.

4.0

Todd

December 22, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Convenient. Cons: Bus overbooked standing room only for part of the trip and was an hour late getting to destination. Tips: Arrive early, seats are limited and you may be standing.

5.0

Anna

September 21, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: All of the passengers were very respectful, and I was able to get all my work done for my job. I enjoyed how music was played at the end of the trip because it signaled that we were almost there. Cons: The travel time was very long and I had wished we didn’t pick up other passengers on the way there. Tips: Be as respectful as possible toward one another.

5.0

Marilyn

August 23, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Drivers were cordial. Emergency equipment pointed out. Bus was very quiet. Cons: Nothing really!

How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Chicago cost $36.95 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average prices by travel date

$60$40$20MarMar

If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $35 to $50. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 2, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at $36.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10AMJJASONDJFM
Taking the bus from Madison to Chicago is usually cheapest in June, when the average ticket price is only $36. If you're planning to take the bus from Madison to Chicago during September, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $40. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 22 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $16.13 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Madison to Chicago?

There are 4 bus lines from Madison to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 48 daily trips, Coach USA usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway113h 52m$39.00
Coach USA483h 11m$38.10
FlixBus US35h 3m$40.50
Greyhound64h 9m$41.87
  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Madison to Chicago start at $39. On average, there are 11 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Coach USA from Madison to Chicago from $38. There are 48 trips per day offered by Coach USA from Madison to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Coach USA ticket to Chicago. In Madison, Coach USA departs to Chicago from Phillips 66 and one other station. In Chicago, Coach USA arrives at Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr and one other station.

    An average trip on Coach USA from Madison to Chicago takes 3 hours and 11 minutes , while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Chicago in 1 hours and 55 minutes .

    On weekends, Coach USA offers 45 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Chicago.

  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 3 trips per day from Madison to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 6 bus trips from Madison to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 9 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $23.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cheapest bus carrier you can take from Madison to Chicago is Greyhound, which has an average ticket price of $24.40. That said, Greyhound also averages the longest travel time at 5 hours and 54 minutes. To arrive in Chicago sooner, consider traveling on a Megabus, with an average travel time of 3 hours and 43 minutes. Megabus tickets average a few dollars more than Greyhound, but may be worth it to save you almost two hours.
Bus carriers such as Megabus and Van Galder depart from Langdon Street just outside of the Memorial Union building on the east side of the UW-Madison campus. The Memorial Union is on the south shore of Lake Mendota, next to the Helen C. White Hall and across from the Wisconsin Historical Society.
The fastest you can expect to arrive in Chicago from Madison is about 3 hours, though the average time is closer to 3 hours and 45 minutes. Nonstop flights from Madison to Chicago take about an hour, but are far more expensive, averaging about $229. For comparison, bus tickets for this route average just $25.08.

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 54 minutes to cover the 122 miles from Madison to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 55 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Because many passengers travel from Madison to Chicago at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Chicago, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

The first bus leaves at 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 62 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 70 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madison to Chicago; ticket prices start at $39.00.

City Information

Madison

Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

Chicago

Known for its innovative architecture, cultural contributions to jazz and house music, and of course that irresistible deep-dish pizza, the many sights and experiences in Chicago make it one of the best urban vacation destinations for millennials and a top destination in Illinois.

You can't beat the views of the city and Lake Michigan from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower; at over 1,300 feet, this is the highest observation deck in the U.S. Snap that classic selfie with the Bean in Millennium Park, then wander the many museums in nearby Grant Park. Navy Pier is a popular tourist hotspot for its parks, restaurants, and attractions right on Lake Michigan, and baseball fans will find paradise in Wrigleyville, home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and sports bars galore.

Chicago's enormous parks offer plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in gorgeous urban settings. Many companies offer kayak rentals or boat tours on the Chicago River, with special tours running on Saint Patrick's Day, when the entire river is dyed green. When you’re ready to buy some souvenirs from your epic trip, hit the big brand stores on the Magnificent Mile, or shop local in neighborhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theater, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.

Chicago is one of the biggest transportation hubs in the Midwest, and provides easy access to nearby destinations ideal for day trips, as well as international travel from two airports. Thanks to plenty of bus and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Madison?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Buses to Chicago leave from 5 stations in Madison.

All bus stations in Madison:

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

  • Phillips 66

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Chicago, IL - Union Station - CHIUST-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

The historic Chicago Union Station is the United States' third busiest train station and a hub for 15 Amtrak train lines with destinations throughout the country. The station also serves bus carriers like Greyhound, Indian Trails and Jefferson Lines, and offers connections to Metra commuter lines. Union Station is also just a quick walk to the nearest Chicago L lines. The current station was built in 1925, to replace the original one dating back to 1881, and today wows visitors with its impressive facade, massive columns, and opulent Great Hall. Located right in downtown and adjacent to the Chicago Loop, Union Station is equipped with many services and amenities, including phone charging stations, shops, and various food and drink options.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

  • Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport

  • Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • 5800 N Cumberland Ave

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

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