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Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from Charleston to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Charleston to Chicago usually takes around 14 hours and 5 minutes, but the fastest Barons Bus Lines bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 400 mi (643 km) |
| Shortest duration | 12h 55m |
| Cheapest price | $72.89 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Charleston to Chicago?
$104.01 is the average price of a bus ticket from Charleston to Chicago. While it’s on the pricier side for a bus ticket, taking the bus is still a cheaper alternative to flying. 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
Bus tickets from Charleston to Chicago are expected to cost between $97 and $123 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 $99. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in August. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $109 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Charleston to Chicago in December, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $153 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 22 days in advance to save up to $111.07.
What bus companies travel from Charleston to Chicago?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Charleston to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barons Bus Lines | 3 | 17h 53m | $132.34 |
| Greyhound | 3 | 13h 52m | $120.71 |
Book Barons Bus Lines from Charleston to Chicago from $113. There are 3 Barons Bus Lines schedules from Charleston to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Chicago. In Charleston, Barons Bus Lines departs to Chicago from Bus Station - 300 Reynolds 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 Charleston to Chicago takes 17 hours and 53 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 3 trips 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 3 bus trips from Charleston to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 13 hours and 52 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $73.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 643 kilometers from Charleston 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.
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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Charleston to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Charleston to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Charleston to Chicago; ticket prices start at $89.72.
City Information
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 Charleston?
Main departure station: Bus Station - 300 Reynolds St
Charleston has two bus stations with service to Chicago.
All bus stations in Charleston:
Bus Station - 300 Reynolds St
Charleston (KRT Transit Mall)
Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionMain 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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Need a return trip from Chicago to Charleston?
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