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Cincinnati to Chicago bus

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Cincinnati - Chicago Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Cincinnati to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Cincinnati to Chicago usually takes around 14 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest Barons Bus Lines bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance252 mi (406 km)
Shortest duration12h 55m
Cheapest price€84.98
Most frequent serviceBarons Bus Lines
Bus lines1

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Cincinnati to Chicago

(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Benjamin

December 1, 2019- Vacation

OurBus

Pros: Best bus trip experience in awhile! Cons: WiFi was password protected with no password posted anywhere. Tips: Recommend ourBus over megabus/greyhound based on this trip.

5.0

Elena

November 3, 2019- Business

Megabus

Pros: Fast and really good deal. Cons: Put WiFi code on the window. Tips: It’s affordable, fast and convenient.

5.0

Evan

October 25, 2019- Visiting family

Megabus

Pros: Marvelous mix of kind souls! Cons: WiFi & USB ports fell short of expectations. Tips: Smiles make miles seem like seconds.

5.0

Alissa

July 12, 2019- Visiting friends

Megabus

Pros: Was my first time traveling by bus to Chicago. Was pretty easy and love that drop off is right downtown! Cons: A little more leg room. Tips: Great way to go to Chicago!

Price trends for buses from Cincinnati to Chicago

Average prices by travel date

€111€74€37MarApr

Monthly average prices

€92€74€55€37€18AMJJASONDJFM

Prices as travel date approaches

€115€92€69€46€233020100

What bus companies travel from Cincinnati to Chicago?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Cincinnati to Chicago. Barons Bus Lines is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Barons Bus Lines214h 54m€100.55
  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Cincinnati to Chicago from €85. There are 2 Barons Bus Lines schedules from Cincinnati to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Chicago. In Cincinnati, Barons Bus Lines departs to Chicago from University of Cincinnati - 2985 Short Vine St and 1 other station. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St and no other station.

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Cincinnati to Chicago takes 14 hours and 54 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Chicago in 12 hours and 55 minutes .

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 2 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Chicago.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 54 minutes to cover the 406 kilometers from Cincinnati to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 12 hours and 55 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.

With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00am. To see the times for all buses from Cincinnati to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Cincinnati to Chicago. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Cincinnati to Chicago; ticket prices start at €48.95.

City Information

Cincinnati

A city famous for its idyllic beauty and quaint quarters, Cincinnati is the destination for tourists who wish to stay away from a large crowd. On a bright sunny day in Cincinnati, head over to Eden Park. Encompassing over 183 acres of green space and tree groves, the park lives up to its name, and there are some scenic ponds where you can unwind as well as take a few amazing pictures. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum might sound like a scary place to visit, but its tranquility and amazing landscape design, which was ahead of its time, will make it worth the while to check it out. For those who still crave some liveliness, watching a game at the Great American Ball Park, home of the oldest professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, will be an unforgettable experience.

Cincinnati features a very diverse food scene in spite of its German roots. If you are looking to try out some refreshing Mediterranean dishes, head over to Abigail Street, one of the local favorites. For authentic German dishes, the door at Mecklenburg Gardens welcomes you.

There’s not a central bus station in the city, as each of the different bus carriers serving Cincinnati operates out of a different location. The principal Amtrak train station is the Union Terminal on Western Ave. Cincinnati is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line. The city’s main airport is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is located in Hebron, Kentucky.

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 Cincinnati?

Main departure station: University of Cincinnati - 2985 Short Vine St

Cincinnati has two bus stations with service to Chicago.

All bus stations in Cincinnati:

  • University of Cincinnati - 2985 Short Vine St

  • 109 Seventh St W

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

All buses from Cincinnati arrive at one main station in Chicago.

Bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

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Need a return trip from Chicago to Cincinnati?

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