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Columbus to Chicago bus

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Columbus - Chicago Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 15 intercity buses per day from Columbus to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Columbus to Chicago usually takes around 9 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest Barons Bus Lines bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance276 mi (444 km)
Shortest duration7h 15m
Cheapest price$42.74
Trips per day4
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines3

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Columbus to Chicago

(Based on 16 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Khytul

January 17, 2023- Solo travel

Miller Transportation

Pros: Multiple stops were convenient during the journey. Cons: The seats could use an upgrade. Tips: Road trips are fun. Remember to enjoy the view outside!

4.0

Elizabeth

January 10, 2023- Visiting family

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: Comfortable bus. It was a cold day in January but the bus was warm. Cons: I didn't realize that the bus would make so many local stops between Columbus and Chicago. I didn't realize that we would be on state routes--not interstate highways. This made the trip feel slow. In terms of avoiding feeling carsick, I do better with maintaining a constant speed and fewer stops. Tips: You will pick up the bus in Columbus INSIDE the bus depot--not outside at the curb. I'm used to riding buses to/from New York City & Washington, D.C. Except for Greyhound and sometimes Peter Pan, buses (like Megabus) just pick up and drop off in the middle of a city block in New York.

5.0

AGATHA

April 9, 2022- Visiting friends

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: Fun. Cons: N/a. Tips: Good deal.

5.0

Weiwei

January 3, 2020- Solo travel

Miller Transportation

great!

4.0

Anna

August 15, 2019- Vacation

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: Funny driver. Cons: WiFi wasn't working.

How much is a bus ticket from Columbus to Chicago?

$64.21 is the average price of a bus ticket from Columbus to Chicago. Any tickets cheaper than $64.21 can be considered a great deal. 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

$102$68$34MarApr

Bus tickets from Columbus to Chicago are expected to cost between $58 and $96 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Chicago within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $64. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

$68$54$41$27$14AMJJASONDJFM
Traveling from Columbus 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 $67 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$136$109$81$54$273020100

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 29 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C$69.33 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Columbus to Chicago?

There are 3 bus lines from Columbus to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 7 daily trips, Greyhound 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
Barons Bus Lines59h 11m$76.26
FlixBus US48h 34m$81.14
Greyhound710h 15m$90.09
  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Columbus to Chicago from $52. There are 5 Barons Bus Lines schedules from Columbus to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Chicago. In Columbus, Barons Bus Lines departs to Chicago from Columbus and 2 other stations. 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 Columbus to Chicago takes 9 hours and 11 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Chicago in 7 hours and 15 minutes .

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 5 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway 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 4 trips per day from Columbus 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 7 bus trips from Columbus to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 10 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $43.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 39 minutes to cover the 444 kilometers from Columbus to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Columbus 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, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Columbus to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 15 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

City Information

Columbus

Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.

As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.

Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.

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 Columbus?

Bus Terminal - 111 E Town St  - CMHGLI2-0

Image credit: Antony-22

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Columbus, OH (Bus Station)

The Bus Terminal at 111 E Town St is Columbus’ hub for intercity bus service on a variety of carriers including Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, Barons Bus Lines, and Amtrak Thruway. Conveniently located in downtown Columbus, the station’s area features several parking lots, hotels, and fast food restaurants. The waiting area within the station building includes restrooms, vending machines, and even arcade-style games if you’re prone to boredom while waiting for the bus. From this station, you can travel to destinations including Cincinnati, Chicago, and New York.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus, OH (Bus Station)

  • Columbus

  • Ohio State University

  • 100 E Rich St

  • Columbus (Airport)

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

Buses arrive in Chicago at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

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