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Iowa City to Chicago coach

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Iowa City - Chicago Coach Timetable

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Journey Information

There are 3 intercity coaches per day from Iowa City to Chicago. Traveling by coach from Iowa City to Chicago usually takes around 4 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways coach can make the trip in 3 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance202 mi (324 km)
Shortest duration3h 5m
Cheapest priceUS$68.00
Trips per day3
Most frequent serviceBurlington Trailways
Coach lines1

Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for coaches from Iowa City to Chicago

(Based on 14 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Senabou

5 May 2023- Visiting friends

Burlington Trailways

Pros: Good driver. Cons: Seat.

5.0

Andre

10 January 2022- Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: Inexpensive and zero transfers. Cons: More conveniently scheduled times. Tips: First under-carriage is free, following pieces are $20 each.

5.0

Kimberly

12 September 2021

Burlington Trailways

Bus was on time and I got to see my family.

5.0

Kellie

7 May 2021

Burlington Trailways

Such a great bus company!!

4.0

Bobby

8 April 2021- Visiting friends

Burlington Trailways

Pros: Times available for the trip was good. Cons: Sitting should be space out on the bus like two seats skip a seat. Tips: Good price.

How much is a coach ticket from Iowa City to Chicago?

US$68.00 is the average price of a bus ticket from Iowa City 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

US$75US$50US$25MarApr

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Iowa City to Chicago is expected to be between US$68 and US$70. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is 30 March 2024, when tickets are available for 30 March 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just US$68.

Monthly average prices

US$50US$40US$30US$20US$10AMJJASONDJFM

The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in March. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just US$34 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Iowa City to Chicago in September, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to US$48 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

US$100US$80US$60US$40US$203020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 16 days in advance to save US$11.61 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What coach companies travel from Iowa City to Chicago?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Iowa City to Chicago. Burlington Trailways connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

CoachDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways34h 39mUS$70.72
  • Book Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to Chicago from US$68. There are 3 Burlington Trailways schedules from Iowa City to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Chicago. In Iowa City, Burlington Trailways departs to Chicago from Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St and no other station. In Chicago, Burlington Trailways arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St and no other station.

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to Chicago takes 4 hours and 39 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Chicago in 3 hours and 5 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 3 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway to Chicago.

Frequently Asked Questions

The coach takes an average of 4 hours and 38 minutes to cover the 202 miles from Iowa City to Chicago. However, the fastest coach only takes 3 hours and 5 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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.

"Friday is the busiest travel day for coaches as people head from Iowa City 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go."

The first coach leaves at 01:00 and the last coach leaves at 16:00. To see the times for all coaches from Iowa City to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

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. Furthermore, all of these are direct coaches which you can take the entire route from Iowa City to Chicago without transferring.

City Information

Iowa City

Iowa City, IA - IOW-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Iowa City, IA - IOW-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Iowa City, IA - IOW-2

Image credit: Pixabay

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.

Bus 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 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 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. Buses usually board outside the multi-story parking garage on Court Street. The station includes a large indoor waiting area with seating, restrooms, 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 buses 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?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

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

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