Cheap coach tickets from Chicago to Charleston

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Coach from Chicago to Charleston: Journey Information

There are 5 intercity coaches per day from Chicago to Charleston. Travelling by coach from Chicago to Charleston usually takes around 14 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound coach can make the trip in 12 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance: 400 mi (643 km)
Shortest duration: 12h 40m
Cheapest price: US$57.46
Trips per day: 5
Most frequent service: Greyhound
Coach lines: 2

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Chicago to Charleston Coach Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Chicago to Charleston?

There is usually 1 daily train trip from Chicago to Charleston.

	Coach	Train
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceUS$89.55Cheaper	Avg. PriceUS$145.67
Daily Trips	Daily Trips5	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration14h 37m	Duration13h 36mFaster

Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for coaches from Chicago to Charleston (Based on 1 rating and review)

5.0

Linda

17 October 2024 - Visiting family

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: Prompt arrival Cons: Everything was good. Tips: Blanket

There are several coach options that can take you from Chicago to Charleston:

See more details

How much is a coach ticket from Chicago to Charleston?

Coach tickets for a trip from Chicago to Charleston cost about US$71 when you book at the cheapest time, 11 days ahead. While it’s a bit pricey for a coach ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 Charleston by travel date

If you're planning to travel by coach from Chicago to Charleston in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from US$70 to US$92. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 6 December 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Charleston this week, coach tickets are available starting at US$74.

Average coach ticket prices from Chicago to Charleston by month

Taking the coach from Chicago to Charleston is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only US$82. If you're planning to take the coach from Chicago to Charleston during March, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$107. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

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 11 days in advance. This way, you can save up to US$30.96 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What coach companies travel from Chicago to Charleston?

There are two coach lines that have daily service from Chicago to Charleston that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 4 scheduled trips per day.

Coach	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Barons Bus Lines	2	14h 26m	US$82.00
Greyhound	4	14h 39m	US$91.32

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.
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 coach trips from Chicago to Charleston every day, with the average journey taking around 14 hours and 39 minutes to complete. Coach tickets for Greyhound trips to Charleston usually start from US$57.46.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Chicago to Charleston

There are 5 scheduled coaches that travel from Chicago to Charleston every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which coach you take, you will have to transfer coaches at least once during your journey. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Charleston; ticket prices start at US$133.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The coach takes an average of 14 hours and 37 minutes to cover the 400 miles from Chicago to Charleston. However, the fastest coach only takes 12 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)

400

Distance (km)

643

The first coach leaves at 6:05 and the last coach leaves at 14:45. To see the times for all coaches from Chicago to Charleston, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

6:05am

Latest coach

2:45pm

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for coaches, as many passengers take the coach to Charleston at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, 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

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

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 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 Chicago?

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Coaches to Charleston leave from 3 stations in Chicago.

All coach stations in Chicago:

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

Where does the coach arrive in Charleston?

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 300 Reynolds St

All coaches from Chicago arrive at one main station in Charleston.

Coach stations in Charleston:

Bus Station - 300 Reynolds St

Need a return trip from Charleston to Chicago?

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