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Cheap bus tickets from Milwaukee to Chicago

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Milwaukee to Chicago Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Milwaukee to Chicago?

There are usually 15 daily train trips from Milwaukee to Chicago.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$48.78
Avg. Price
$38.01
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
80
Daily Trips
15
Duration
Duration
1h 57m
Duration
1h 30m

Bus from Milwaukee to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 95 intercity buses per day from Milwaukee to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Milwaukee to Chicago usually takes around one hour and 53 minutes, but the fastest Coach USA bus can make the trip in just one hour and 20 minutes.

Distance81 mi (131 km)
Shortest duration1h 20m
Cheapest price$28.13
Trips per day84
Most frequent serviceCoach USA
Bus lines4

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Milwaukee to Chicago

(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Jessica

September 28, 2024- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: The driver was very helpful and she was the best!! Cons: Nothing. Tips: Nothing.

4.0

Francisco

May 8, 2024- Vacation

Coach USA

Pros: It was a great trip. Cons: Just the arrival. Tips: Make a reservation with enough time.

5.0

Paula

April 15, 2022- Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: I really like this app so much because the buses are always on time, it has good prices and it is very confortable. Cons: Nothing, everything is excellent. Tips: Be on time and buy your ticket with time. You will find good deals.

5.0

Jesus

September 14, 2019- Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: The seats on this bus were clean and comfortable, the bus arrived on time despite traffic. Cons: NA. Tips: Would recommend this line for a quick trip between Wisconsin-Chicago.

5.0

Joseph

August 13, 2019- Vacation

Greyhound

Pros: I'm a first time traveler... and they made if for me...like a been traveling for years....loved it... Cons: I wish food court stayed open longer...

Milwaukee to Chicago Route Map

Milwaukee Chicago
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How much is a bus ticket from Milwaukee to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from Milwaukee to Chicago cost $41.15 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price

Average bus ticket prices from Milwaukee to Chicago by travel date

$62$41$21JulJul

Bus tickets from Milwaukee to Chicago are expected to cost between $38 and $52 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 $48. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

$69$55$41$27$14ASONDJFMAMJJ
If you're planning on taking a bus from Milwaukee to Chicago, you'll be happy to know that the cost stays pretty stable throughout the year. You can expect to pay around $47 for your ticket regardless of when you plan to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$69$55$41$27$143020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 27 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $11.57 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Milwaukee to Chicago?

There are 4 bus lines from Milwaukee to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 72 daily trips, Coach USA 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
Coach USA721h 41m$52.21
FlixBus US182h 39m$42.66
Greyhound82h 34m$49.78
Tornado Bus12h 0m$143.74

  • Book Coach USA from Milwaukee to Chicago from $52. There are 72 Coach USA schedules from Milwaukee to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Coach USA ticket to Chicago. In Milwaukee, Coach USA departs to Chicago from Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave and 2 other stations. In Chicago, Coach USA arrives at Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport and 1 other station.

    An average trip on Coach USA from Milwaukee to Chicago takes 1 hours and 41 minutes , while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Chicago in 1 hours and 20 minutes .

    On weekends, Coach USA offers 72 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 18 trips per day from Milwaukee 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 8 bus trips from Milwaukee to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 34 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $28.

  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Milwaukee to Chicago

The bus takes an average of one hour and 53 minutes to cover the 131 kilometers from Milwaukee to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 20 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Chicago. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Milwaukee to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 95 scheduled buses that travel from Milwaukee to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 84 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 Milwaukee to Chicago; ticket prices start at $28.86.

City Information

Milwaukee

Nestling on the banks of the great Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has some of the most scenic views around, making it every photographer’s perfect destination. Boasting 85 miles of scenic waterfront bike lanes, Milwaukee is the perfect spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sunset together with your friends. It is also the home of the Harley Davidson Museum, a vast waterfront gallery that offers 11 permanent exhibitions. The museum features not only bikes but also special items such as a whole engine room, making it a must-visit spot for bike enthusiasts. If you are not interested in bikes, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, which is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, offers many wondrous shots.

Milwaukee’s famous German bratwursts are a must-try for all visitors, and the best place to enjoy this dish is Usinger’s. Other similar establishments include Mader’s and Milwaukee Public Market. For authentic American eats, Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-In offers amazing sloppy-joe burgers.

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the city’s main transportation hub. Visitors can catch both buses and trains at this location. The city is served by two airports. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the southern edge of the city handles commercial flights, while the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport in the northwest handles private flights.

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 Milwaukee?

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution
Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-1

Image credit: Payton Chung

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the major transportation hub for rail and bus travel in Wisconsin. The station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the Midwest. It acts as a gateway for long-distance travel into the American West and also connects Milwaukee to the surrounding Midwest states via the Hiawatha service. Renovated in 2007, the Intermodal Station now also offers a range of intercity bus services from carriers, including Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. Local bus routes and The Hop streetcar service provide convenient local travel around Milwaukee. Located in the city’s downtown, The Intermodal Station has vast retail spaces, several museums, and pleasant waterways all on its doorstep.

All bus stations in Milwaukee:

  • Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

  • Mitchell Airport - 5300 S Howell Ave

  • Milwaukee Park & Ride Terminal

  • Agencia De Viajes Mexico

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr

Buses arrive in Chicago at 6 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Chicago:

  • Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr

  • Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • 5800 N Cumberland Ave

  • 3501 S California Ave

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Chicago by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Related reading

Need a return trip from Chicago to Milwaukee?

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