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Champaign to Chicago bus

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Champaign - Chicago Bus Schedule

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from$41.41

Journey Information

There are 7 intercity buses per day from Champaign to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Champaign to Chicago usually takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance126 mi (203 km)
Shortest duration2h 30m
Cheapest price$33.80
Trips per day5
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Champaign to Chicago

(Based on 9 ratings and reviews)

4.4

4.0

Aleksandra

December 27, 2019- Solo travel

Greyhound

Seats

5.0

Cade

November 17, 2019- Solo travel

Pros: Loved the outlets! Cons: It was kind of cold on the bus, but not your fault at all!

5.0

Daniela

October 11, 2019- Visiting family

M&M Shuttle

Pros: The driver was very nice! And we arrived on time so that was great! Cons: Everything was perfect.

5.0

Loretta

September 28, 2019- Visiting family

Pros: The seats were comfortable and roomy. The ride felt safe and I didn't have to worry about feeling uncomfortable with other passengers on the bus. The driver of the bus was very friendly. It was nice not to have to navigate and figure out where to go, since I am not from Illinois. Cons: Nothing. Tips: None.

5.0

Sivaraman

July 31, 2019- Solo travel

Greyhound

Cleanliness, WLAN Wifi network

Champaign to Chicago Route Map

Champaign Chicago

How much is a bus ticket from Champaign to Chicago?

Champaign to Chicago bus tickets cost an average of $44.28. The bus is a fantastic option for those looking for a wallet-friendly alternative to make this trip. Use the search function on Wanderu, tailor the dates according to your trip, and start booking in advance. You may find tickets at an even lower cost if you're booking in advance!

Average prices by travel date

$62$41$21AprApr

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Champaign to Chicago is expected to range from $41 to $59. If you are looking to travel to Chicago within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $50. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $41 and can be found on May 7, 2024.

Monthly average prices

$69$55$41$28$14MJJASONDJFMA
Over the next four weeks, bus tickets from Champaign to Chicago will likely cost about $44.28. The cheapest bus tickets are $41 if you plan in advance. The longer you wait, the more expensive bus tickets get. Avoid paying higher prices by booking soon!

Prices as travel date approaches

$69$55$41$28$143020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 23 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C$30.57 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Champaign to Chicago?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Champaign to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways112h 11m$156.65
Greyhound63h 43m$48.37

  • Book Burlington Trailways from Champaign to Chicago from $150. There are 1 Burlington Trailways schedules from Champaign to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Chicago. In Champaign, Burlington Trailways departs to Chicago from Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave 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 Champaign to Chicago takes 12 hours and 11 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Chicago in 2 hours and 30 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Chicago.

  • 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 Champaign to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 43 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $34.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 30 minutes to cover the 203 kilometers from Champaign to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Champaign to Chicago for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 3:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Champaign to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 7 scheduled buses that travel from Champaign to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 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 Champaign to Chicago; ticket prices start at $15.18.

City Information

Champaign

Champaign, IL - CHM-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Champaign, IL - CHM-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Champaign, IL - CHM-2

Image credit: Pixabay

A significant hub for the Silicone Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.

As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colorful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.

The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, Peoria Charter, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.

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 Champaign?

Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave - CHMAMT-0

Image credit: Beyond My Ken

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport center opened in 1999, and now provides bus and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Peoria Charter, Jefferson Lines, and local mass transit. Make sure to wait in the correct station building; Champaign’s old train station, dating to 1898, is just across the street. The Illinois Terminal offers short-term parking, fast food, and even meeting spaces and banquet halls. Thanks to the station’s convenient location, some of the best restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign are just a short walk away.

All bus stations in Champaign:

  • Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Chicago.

Bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

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Related reading

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