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There are 3 intercity buses per day from Cedar Rapids to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Cedar Rapids to Chicago usually takes around 7 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 208 mi (334 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $102.75 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Burlington Trailways |
| Bus lines | 1 |
Overall score for buses from Cedar Rapids to Chicago
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: I enjoyed how quiet it was and how many sites you would be able to see. Cons: Well the bathroom being useable. Tips: Ask the front desk for any questions! They are nice enough to help you! :).
5.0
Pros: I like how we got a meal break. Cons: Nothing! Tips: Bring headphones.
$102.75 is the average price of a bus ticket from Cedar Rapids to Chicago. While it’s on the pricier side for a bus ticket, taking the bus is still a cheaper alternative to flying. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 11 days in advance to save up to $7.80.
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Cedar Rapids to Chicago. Burlington Trailways connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Trailways | 3 | 7h 38m | $107.04 |
Book Burlington Trailways from Cedar Rapids to Chicago from $103. There are 3 Burlington Trailways schedules from Cedar Rapids to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Chicago. In Cedar Rapids, Burlington Trailways departs to Chicago from Cedar Rapids (Airport - CID) and no other station. In Chicago, Burlington Trailways arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St and no other station.
An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Cedar Rapids to Chicago takes 7 hours and 38 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Chicago in 5 hours and 15 minutes .
On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 3 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Chicago.
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to cover the 334 kilometers from Cedar Rapids to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 15 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. 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 Cedar Rapids 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, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go."
The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 3:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Cedar Rapids to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
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.
Most buses depart from the main station in Cedar Rapids.
Cedar Rapids (Airport - CID)
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionAll buses from Cedar Rapids arrive at one main station in Chicago.
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
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