Cheap coach tickets from Chicago to Louisville

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Coach from Chicago to Louisville: Journey Information

There are 19 intercity coaches per day from Chicago to Louisville. Travelling by coach from Chicago to Louisville usually takes around 7 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 5 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance
269 mi (433 km)
Shortest duration
5h 40m
Cheapest price
£24.81
Trips per day
19
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Coach lines
4

Millions of travellers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest coach & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most coach & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travellers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Chicago to Louisville Coach Timetable

Wanderu mascot

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on coach & train tickets sent directly to you.

Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for coaches from Chicago to Louisville (Based on 10 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Waliuddin

4 January 2023 - Regular commuter

Miller Transportation
Pros: Excellent trip best service on value for money Cons: All good Tips: Look for offers and deals

5.0

Wendy

29 July 2022 - Holiday

Amtrak Thruway
Pros: The drivers were friendly and so were the people on the bus Cons: The bus was one hour late at Union Station so another bus driver took us to the Greyhound Station where we boarded the bus. Someone should have told us it would be late Tips: No

5.0

Tasha

20 June 2022 - Business

Greyhound
Pros: Great drivers Cons: nothing Tips: be on tkme

4.0

William h.

7 October 2021 - Visiting family

Greyhound
Pros: How the driver was a safe driver. Cons: Seats or bus could be wider and bathrooms could be larger . Tips: The short trips were decent but never took a longer one.

4.0

Ravindrabhai

16 July 2021 - Visiting family

Miller Transportation
Pros: Nice customer service Cons: Nothing Tips: Wear mask and stay safe

How much is a coach ticket from Chicago to Louisville?

Coach tickets for a trip from Chicago to Louisville cost about £44 when you book at the cheapest time, 8 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than £44 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 Chicago to Louisville by travel date

£90£60£30NovNov

If you're planning to travel by coach from Chicago to Louisville in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from £37 to £79. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 5 December 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Louisville this week, coach tickets are available starting at £44.

Average coach ticket prices from Chicago to Louisville by month

£75£60£45£30£15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the coach from Chicago to Louisville is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only £46. If you're planning to take the coach from Chicago to Louisville during June, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £55. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

£75£60£45£30£1501020

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 8 days in advance. This way, you can save up to £15.81 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What coach companies travel from Chicago to Louisville?

There are 4 coach lines from Chicago to Louisville available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 13 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most coaches running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

CoachDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway26h 46m£60.78
Barons Bus Lines113h 55m£103.03
FlixBus US57h 10m£49.11
Greyhound136h 51m£46.81
  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger coaches operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railways. On the coach, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard toilet facilities. Amtrak Thruway coach tickets from Chicago to Louisville start at £60.78. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway coach trips on this route every day.

  • Barons Bus Lines is a ground transport company that serves various cities across the Midwest. The company follows through on its slogan of “ride like royalty” with a fleet of modern coaches boasting enhanced amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, ADA accessible steps, and spacious bathrooms. With a reputation for skilled drivers, top-notch safety, and stellar customer service, it's no wonder Barons Bus won the 2022 Wanderu Passengers' Choice Award for #1 Business Travellers' Favourite.

  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German coach company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern coach travel. The company offers cheap coach tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US coaches include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power sockets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 5 trips per day from Chicago to Louisville, and the average ticket for this route costs only £49.11.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5
  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide coach 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 13 coach trips from Chicago to Louisville every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Coach tickets for Greyhound trips to Louisville usually start from £24.81.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu

Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Chicago to Louisville

There are 19 scheduled coaches that travel from Chicago to Louisville every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 15 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Louisville; ticket prices start at £59.

Trips per day

19

Direct trips

15

The coach takes an average of 7 hours and 12 minutes to cover the 269 miles from Chicago to Louisville. However, the fastest coach only takes 5 hours and 40 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)

269

Distance (km)

433

The first coach leaves at 4:45 and the last coach leaves at 23:55. To see the times for all coaches from Chicago to Louisville, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

4:45am

Latest coach

11:55pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for coaches as people head from Chicago to Louisville 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 coach travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the coach, travelling mid-week is your best bet.

Most crowded

Friday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Chicago

CHI-0CHI-1CHI-2

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.

Louisville

LVL-0LVL-1LVL-2

A mecca for fans of sports, Louisville holds the honour of being the birthplace of many sports legends. Even non-sports fans should not miss out on the Muhammad Ali Center, where tourists can learn more about the life and legacy of the legendary boxer. Aside from permanent galleries dedicated to the boxer himself, the museum also features temporary exhibitions on topics such as race and gender equality. Another top highlight from the city is Churchill Downs, where the famous Kentucky Derby is hosted. Contrary to what people might imagine, the racing track is actually quite idyllic, and if there is one place you must visit in Louisville, this is probably the one. If you are looking for a unique experience, head towards the Louisville Mega Cavern. This cavern system was created out of a 19th-century limestone quarry and it features the world’s only underground zip line course.

Three things dominate the food scene in Louisville: barbecue, bourbon, and mint juleps. Some local favourites are Mark’s Feed Store and Feast BBQ. If you are looking for the finest bourbon, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is certainly a good call.

The central coach station in Louisville is the Bus Terminal on W Muhammad Ali Blvd, connecting the city with near and far destinations such as Cincinnati, Chicago and Nashville. There are no train tracks that run through the city. However, the city is still a part of Amtrak’s network via the carrier’s Thruway coach line. The Louisville International Airport fulfills air services for the city.

Station Information

Where does the coach leave from in Chicago?

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Coaches to Louisville leave from 4 stations in Chicago.

All coach stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
  • Dan Ryan Bus Station
  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
  • Union Station

Where does the coach arrive in Louisville?

Main arrival station: Louisville Bus Station

The Louisville Bus Terminal, located at 720 W Muhammad Ali Blvd, serves interstate Greyhound coach services. The station is equipped with toilets, vending machines, and indoor seating. The station also has an adjoining cafeteria in case vending machine snacks aren't enough to satisfy your hunger. In addition, there is also a customer service and ticket kiosk where station staff can answer any questions you may have. The station is located in Downtown Louisville, only a short walk from the city's most exciting amenities and several nearby restaurants and convenience stores.

Coach stations in Louisville:

  • Louisville Bus Station

Need a return trip from Louisville to Chicago?

Search Coach Tickets

Plan your next adventure

Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train timetables and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.