Cheap coach tickets from Iowa City to Chicago
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Coach from Iowa City to Chicago: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity coaches per day from Iowa City to Chicago. Travelling by coach from Iowa City to Chicago usually takes around 6 hours and 47 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines coach can make the trip in 4 hours and 10 minutes.
- Distance
- 202 mi (324 km)
- Shortest duration
- 4h 10m
- Cheapest price
- £33.35
- Trips per day
- 3
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Coach lines
- 1
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Iowa City to Chicago Coach Timetable

Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for coaches from Iowa City to Chicago (Based on 14 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5 May 2023 - Visiting friends
Burlington Trailways5.0
10 January 2022 - Solo travel
Burlington Trailways5.0
12 September 2021
Burlington Trailways5.0
7 May 2021
Burlington Trailways4.0
8 April 2021 - Visiting friends
Burlington Trailways4.0
4 November 2019 - Visiting family
Burlington TrailwaysThere are several coach options that can take you from Iowa City to Chicago:
See more detailsHow much is a coach ticket from Iowa City to Chicago?
Coach tickets for a trip from Iowa City to Chicago cost about £33 when you book at the cheapest time, 16 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than £33 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find coach tickets at or below this price.
Average coach ticket prices from Iowa City to Chicago by travel date
If you're planning to travel by coach from Iowa City to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from £33 to £39. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 28 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, coach tickets are available starting at £34.
Average coach ticket prices from Iowa City to Chicago by month
Travelling from Iowa City to Chicago by coach will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, coach ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around £36 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most coach companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your coach tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest coach tickets, book your trip at least 16 days in advance. This way, you can save up to £7.41 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What coach companies travel from Iowa City to Chicago?
There is one intercity coach company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Iowa City to Chicago. Jefferson Lines connects the two cities by coach, it offers multiple scheduled coaches per day for you to choose from.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 6h 47m | £34.15 |
Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity coach company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest coach service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, toilets, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their coach tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Iowa City to Chicago with ticket prices as low as £33.35.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Iowa City to Chicago
There are 3 scheduled coaches that travel from Iowa City to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct coach. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different coach at any point during your trip. Direct coaches also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
Trips per day
3
Direct trips
1
The coach takes an average of 6 hours and 47 minutes to cover the 202 miles from Iowa City to Chicago. However, the fastest coach only takes 4 hours and 10 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Distance (mi)
202
Distance (km)
324
The first coach leaves at 1:35 and the last coach leaves at 15:00. To see the times for all coaches from Iowa City to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest coach
1:35am
Latest coach
3:00pm
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when coaches are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your coach travel for the beginning of the week.
Most crowded
Tuesday
Least crowded
Monday
City Information
Iowa City



The old capital city of Iowa, Iowa City, is a historic area with plenty of quaint old buildings and beautiful landmarks. The most notable attraction is the Old Capitol Building in the middle of the University of Iowa's campus. The building's first floor is a museum dedicated to the state's history so that you can brush up on your Hawkeye State knowledge (we'll get you started: the Iowa state rock is the geode!). For more history and culture, hit up Plum Grove, the home of the first Governor of Iowa, and the University of Iowa Art Museum.
Thanks to its lively cultural scene, Iowa City's food scene is vibrant and diverse. One of the must-try establishments in the city is Short's Burger and Shine, which features a wide variety of burgers made from locally sourced meat. In addition, the Hamburg Inn No. 2 is an award-winning restaurant, with visitors including many past presidents.
Coach service to Iowa City arrives right downtown for easy access to Iowa City's highlights. Although there is a small municipal airport in Iowa City, most commercial flights will depart from nearby Cedar Rapids Airport or even from Des Moines, about 100 miles away.
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 holiday 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 neighbourhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theatre, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.
Chicago is one of the biggest transport 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 coach and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in Iowa City?
Main departure station: Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
The Burlington Trailways Station in Iowa City is part of the Court St Transportation Center near downtown. Coaches usually board outside the multi-storey car park on Court Street. The station includes a large indoor waiting area with seating, toilets, and even a charging station for your devices. You can walk to three hotels, a sushi restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a Starbucks, and a bar in the immediate area, so you definitely won't have to travel hungry or thirsty. Greyhound and Burlington Trailways coaches depart from this station and connect Iowa City to Des Moines, Chicago, Omaha, and more cities throughout the Midwest.
All coach stations in Iowa City:
- Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
Where does the coach arrive in Chicago?
Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

All coaches from Iowa City arrive at one main station in Chicago.
Coach stations in Chicago:
- Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Need a return trip from Chicago to Iowa City?
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