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Buses from Indianapolis to Chicago

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Indianapolis - Chicago Bus Schedule

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Bus Trip Information: Indianapolis to Chicago

There are 19 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Chicago usually takes around 4 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Miller Transportation bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance165 mi (265 km)
Shortest duration3h 15m
Cheapest price$23.35
Trips per day11
Most frequent serviceMiller Transportation
Bus lines5

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Indianapolis to Chicago

(Based on 37 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Ibianga

April 24, 2022- Solo travel

Miller Transportation

Pros: The driver was friendly and helpful. Cons: The bus was really smelly because of the bathroom at the back. The bathroom should be cleaned regularly or else, it might be better to stop at different bus stops for people to get down and use the bathroom.

Pros: The driver was friendly and helpful. Cons: The bus was really smelly because of the bathroom at the back. The bathroom should be cleaned regularly or else, it might be better to stop at different bus stops for people to get down and use the bathroom.

5.0

Sarah

March 26, 2022- Visiting family

OurBus

Pros: The convenience of not having to drive. Our driver was super nice and helpful. Cons: WiFi wasn’t working and water was not offered to us. The bus was late arriving at our original pick up, though we were told to arrive 15-30 mins early… leaving us sitting in the ...

Pros: The convenience of not having to drive. Our driver was super nice and helpful. Cons: WiFi wasn’t working and water was not offered to us. The bus was late arriving at our original pick up, though we were told to arrive 15-30 mins early… leaving us sitting in the cold for more than 30mins. Tips: Only arrive 15 mins early.

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5.0

Christina

January 27, 2022- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: The ease and convenience of booking & traveling. Cons: Nothing, everything was good!

Pros: The ease and convenience of booking & traveling. Cons: Nothing, everything was good!

5.0

Rachel

January 7, 2022- Visiting family

OurBus

Pros: The driver was pleasant abd cheerful. Cons: The toilet. Have it wiped every time. It had drops and drips.

Pros: The driver was pleasant abd cheerful. Cons: The toilet. Have it wiped every time. It had drops and drips.

4.0

Jeff

January 2, 2022- Solo travel

OurBus

Pros: Clean bus. Safe driver. Cons: No WiFi even though it is advertised as available. Tips: Don’t trust the WiFi statement.

Pros: Clean bus. Safe driver. Cons: No WiFi even though it is advertised as available. Tips: Don’t trust the WiFi statement.

Indianapolis to Chicago Route Map

Indianapolis Chicago

Buses from Indianapolis to Chicago

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How much is a bus ticket from Indianapolis to Chicago?

$36.96 is the average price of a bus ticket from Indianapolis to Chicago. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. 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.

Average prices by travel date

$58$39$19MayMay

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Indianapolis to Chicago is expected to range from C$40 to C$47. If you are looking to travel to Chicago within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from C$42. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are C$40 and can be found on June 4, 2022.

Monthly average prices

$65$52$39$26$13JJASONDJFMAM
Traveling from Indianapolis to Chicago by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for that route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around C$47 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$65$52$39$26$133020100

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 26 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C$17.12 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Indianapolis to Chicago?

There are 5 bus lines from Indianapolis to Chicago available for you to search and book on Wanderu. With 11 daily trips, Miller Transportation 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 Thruway14h 45m$42.81
FlixBus US13h 30m$33.03
Greyhound54h 7m$42.55
Miller Transportation114h 47m$50.93
OurBus23h 45m$34.66
  • Amtrak Thruway

    Amtrak Thruway

    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 Indianapolis to Chicago start at $43. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • FlixBus US

    FlixBus US

    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 1 trips per day from Indianapolis to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound

    Greyhound

    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 5 bus trips from Indianapolis to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 7 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $38.

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  • Miller Transportation

    Miller Transportation

    Miller Transportation, through its popular bus service Hoosier Ride, connects a number of cities across six states in the Midwest via intercity bus travel. Miller buses keep you connected throughout your journey with free WiFi and power outlets on board. The carrier is consistently rated well for on-time bus arrivals. The trip from Indianapolis to Chicago usually lasts 4 hours and 47 minutes on Miller Transportation, and ticket prices start at $40.

  • OurBus

    OurBus

    OurBus is an intercity bus company based in New York City. OurBus provides cheap bus tickets to some of the most popular cities in the United States. All OurBus coaches come equipped with a generous roster of amenities, including extra legroom, freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and complimentary bottled water. With cheap bus tickets starting from $23, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from Indianapolis to Chicago if you are looking for comfort at a good price.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Indianapolis to Chicago?

An average train ticket from Indianapolis to Chicago costs around $41. The only Amtrak line that covers this route is the Amtrak Cardinal, with a typical travel time of about 5 hours.

What is the best way to get from Indianapolis to Chicago?

The best way to get from Indianapolis to Chicago is by bus. Costing as little as $4.99 per ticket, the bus is both less expensive and usually faster than the train. A flight is technically faster, but with an average cost between $170 and $250 for a nonstop ticket and the additional time required for security, it’s probably not worth it.

Is Indy to Chicago a good day-trip?

Indianapolis to Chicago is a reasonable day-trip if you’re ready for a long day. The fastest bus takes around 3 hours 15 minutes. With over 35 daily buses going in each direction, however, you can arrive in Chicago as early as 6:55 a.m. and leave as late as 11:59 p.m., giving you plenty of time to explore Chicago.

Is it safe to travel by bus from Indianapolis to Chicago during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our bus partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, bus carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

In addition, federal law requires all bus passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the bus.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

How long is the bus ride?

The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 17 minutes to cover the 265 kilometers from Indianapolis to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 15 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.

What is the busiest day of the week to travel by bus?

Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking buses from Indianapolis to Chicago. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the bus and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

When do the earliest and latest buses leave Indianapolis?

The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

How many buses are there each day?

There are 19 scheduled buses that travel from Indianapolis to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 11 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 Indianapolis to Chicago; ticket prices start at $29.84.

City Information

Indianapolis

Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.

Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.

Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.

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 Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

Image credit: Panoramio upload bot

Link to image attribution

Departure stations

Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.

All bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • Intl Airport - Zone 1 Ground Transp Ctr

  • E Washington St

  • 230 E Washington St- Curbside Bus Stop

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Arrival stations

Buses arrive in Chicago at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Canal St

  • Union Station

  • 355 S Canal St

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