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Cheap coach tickets from Chicago to Columbus

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Chicago to Columbus Coach Timetable

Coach from Chicago to Columbus: Journey Information

There are 24 intercity coaches per day from Chicago to Columbus. Traveling by coach from Chicago to Columbus usually takes around 11 hours and 42 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 7 hours,

Distance276 mi (444 km)
Shortest duration7h 0m
Cheapest priceUS$41.97
Trips per day8
Most frequent serviceBarons Bus Lines
Coach lines3

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Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for coaches from Chicago to Columbus

(Based on 23 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

RASHMIKANT

17 October 2025- Visiting family

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: Good. Cons: Fine.

5.0

Durene

27 July 2025- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: The driver was awesome and we got to Columbus ahead of schedule. Cons: Everything was excellent.

4.0

Katie

16 May 2025

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: Driver was extremely nice and professional. Did a great job of making sure we could get to our stops on time. Cons: The seats could be improved and the leg room I extremely limited.

5.0

Robert

21 April 2025- Visiting family

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: driver was serious about staying on time, but also took the time to tell us about the best food deals at certain stops. Cons: too many stops. Tips: the driver's mic wasn't working. I thought my mom would have had a difficult time hearing the announcements if she was with me.

5.0

RASHMIKANT

8 April 2025- Visiting friends

Barons Bus Lines

Good service in Economy prise

How much is a coach ticket from Chicago to Columbus?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Columbus cost US$63.33 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average coach ticket prices from Chicago to Columbus by travel date

US$105US$70US$35NovNov

If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Columbus in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from US$56 to US$101. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 13 November 2025.

If you’re looking to travel to Columbus this week, bus tickets are available starting at US$56.

Average coach ticket prices from Chicago to Columbus by month

US$100US$80US$60US$40US$20DJFMAMJJASON
Taking the bus from Chicago to Columbus is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only US$62. If you're planning to take the bus from Chicago to Columbus during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$81. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

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

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 24 days in advance to save up to US$26.31.

What coach companies travel from Chicago to Columbus?

There are 3 bus lines from Chicago to Columbus available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 12 daily trips, Barons Bus Lines usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

CoachDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Barons Bus Lines1215h 13mUS$85.24
FlixBus US89h 49mUS$69.83
Greyhound49h 22mUS$68.03
  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Columbus from US$55. There are 12 Barons Bus Lines schedules from Chicago to Columbus and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Columbus. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines departs to Columbus from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St and no other station. In Columbus, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Columbus (E Mound St) and 2 other stations.

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Columbus takes 15 hours and 13 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Columbus in 7 hours and 0 minutes .

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 12 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway to Columbus.

  • 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 8 trips per day from Chicago to Columbus, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • 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 4 bus trips from Chicago to Columbus every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 22 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbus usually start from US$42.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by coach from Chicago to Columbus

The coach takes an average of 11 hours and 42 minutes to cover the 276 miles from Chicago to Columbus. However, the fastest coach only takes 7 hours. 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.

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

The first coach leaves at 05:00 and the last coach leaves at 19:00. To see the times for all coaches from Chicago to Columbus, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 24 scheduled coaches that travel from Chicago to Columbus every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 8 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip.

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.

Columbus

Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.

As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.

Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.

Station Information

Where does the coach leave from in Chicago?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Coaches to Columbus leave from 3 stations in Chicago.

All coach stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

Where does the coach arrive in Columbus?

Main arrival station: Columbus (E Mound St)

Coaches arrive in Columbus at 5 stations, depending on which coach line you are traveling with.

Coach stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus (E Mound St)

  • 100 E Rich St

  • Columbus (E Mound St)

  • Columbus (Airport)

  • 845 N Wilson Rd

Get around town with Moovit

Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in Columbus. Download here

Need a return trip from Columbus to Chicago?

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