Cheap coach tickets from Cincinnati to Chicago

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

Coach from Cincinnati to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 13 intercity coaches per day from Cincinnati to Chicago. Travelling by coach from Cincinnati to Chicago usually takes around 9 hours and 45 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 5 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance
252 mi (406 km)
Shortest duration
5h 45m
Cheapest price
£29.63
Trips per day
13
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Coach lines
3

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Cincinnati to Chicago Coach Timetable

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

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

Coach
Train
Avg. Price£72.43CheaperAvg. Price£82.72
Daily Trips13Daily Trips1
Duration9h 45mDuration9h 4mFaster
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Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for coaches from Cincinnati to Chicago (Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.8

4.0

Jared

7 July 2026 - Visiting friends

FlixBus US
Pros: Bus arrived on time, the driver was professional, and there was no bad behavior on the bus. Cons: The bus bathroom did not have any toilet paper and was dirty. Tips: Bring your own toilet paper.

5.0

Benjamin

1 December 2019 - Holiday

OurBus
Pros: Best bus trip experience in awhile! Cons: WiFi was password protected with no password posted anywhere Tips: Recommend ourBus over megabus/greyhound based on this trip.

5.0

Elena

3 November 2019 - Business

Megabus
Pros: Fast and really good deal Cons: Put WiFi code on the window Tips: It’s affordable, fast and convenient

5.0

Evan

25 October 2019 - Visiting family

Megabus
Pros: Marvelous mix of kind souls! Cons: WiFi & USB ports fell short of expectations Tips: Smiles make miles seem like seconds

5.0

Alissa

12 July 2019 - Visiting friends

Megabus
Pros: Was my first time traveling by bus to Chicago. Was pretty easy and love that drop off is right downtown! Cons: A little more leg room Tips: Great way to go to Chicago!

How much is a coach ticket from Cincinnati to Chicago?

Coach tickets for a trip from Cincinnati to Chicago cost about £58 when you book at the cheapest time, 7 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 Cincinnati to Chicago by travel date

£90£60£30NovNov

If you're planning to travel by coach from Cincinnati to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from £56 to £88. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 7 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, coach tickets are available starting at £56.

Average coach ticket prices from Cincinnati to Chicago by month

£100£80£60£40£20JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the coach from Cincinnati to Chicago is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only £61. If you're planning to take the coach from Cincinnati to Chicago during April, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £80. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

£100£80£60£40£2001020

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 7 days in advance. This way, you can save up to £25.39 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What coach companies travel from Cincinnati to Chicago?

There are 3 coach lines from Cincinnati to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 9 daily trips, FlixBus US 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
Barons Bus Lines415h 28m£114.55
FlixBus US97h 25m£56.98
Greyhound211h 57m£55.21
  • 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 9 trips per day from Cincinnati to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only £56.98.

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  • 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 2 coach trips from Cincinnati to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 57 minutes to complete. Coach tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from £38.52.

    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 Cincinnati to Chicago

There are 13 scheduled coaches that travel from Cincinnati to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 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 Cincinnati to Chicago; ticket prices start at £48.

Trips per day

13

Direct trips

4

The coach takes an average of 9 hours and 45 minutes to cover the 252 miles from Cincinnati to Chicago. However, the fastest coach only takes 5 hours and 45 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)

252

Distance (km)

406

The first coach leaves at 5:35 and the last coach leaves at 14:00. To see the times for all coaches from Cincinnati to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

5:35am

Latest coach

2:00pm

Thursday is usually the day of the week when coaches are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, 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.

Most crowded

Thursday

Least crowded

Tuesday

City Information

Cincinnati

CIN-0CIN-1CIN-2

A city famous for its idyllic beauty and quaint quarters, Cincinnati is the destination for tourists who wish to stay away from a large crowd. On a bright sunny day in Cincinnati, head over to Eden Park. Encompassing over 183 acres of green space and tree groves, the park lives up to its name, and there are some scenic ponds where you can unwind as well as take a few amazing pictures. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum might sound like a scary place to visit, but its tranquillity and amazing landscape design, which was ahead of its time, will make it worth the while to check it out. For those who still crave some liveliness, watching a game at the Great American Ball Park, home of the oldest professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, will be an unforgettable experience.

Cincinnati features a very diverse food scene in spite of its German roots. If you are looking to try out some refreshing Mediterranean dishes, head over to Abigail Street, one of the local favourites. For authentic German dishes, the door at Mecklenburg Gardens welcomes you.

There’s not a central coach station in the city, as each of the different coach carriers serving Cincinnati operates out of a different location. The principal Amtrak train station is the Union Terminal on Western Ave. Cincinnati is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line. The city’s main airport is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is located in Hebron, Kentucky.

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.

Station Information

Where does the coach leave from in Cincinnati?

Main departure station: Downtown 466-436 E Court St

Cincinnati has two coach stations with service to Chicago.

All coach stations in Cincinnati:

  • Downtown 466-436 E Court St
  • University of Cincinnati - 2985 Short Vine St

Where does the coach arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

These are the two stations where coaches may stop when they arrive in Chicago.

Coach stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

Need a return trip from Chicago to Cincinnati?

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