Cheap coach tickets from Nashville to Chicago

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

Coach from Nashville to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 20 intercity coaches per day from Nashville to Chicago. Travelling by coach from Nashville to Chicago usually takes around 11 hours and 2 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 8 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance
398 mi (640 km)
Shortest duration
8h 55m
Cheapest price
US$50.98
Trips per day
20
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Coach lines
3

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Nashville to Chicago Coach Timetable

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Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for coaches from Nashville to Chicago (Based on 8 ratings and reviews)

4.4

4.0

Taylor

14 July 2024 - Solo travel

FlixBus US
Pros: I like that despite the confirmation giving you an assigned seat, this was not enforced. Cons: The bus claimed to have WiFi but the network wasn’t available. The only way to charge your devices was with a USB cord, which limits what can be charged. I had a computer that needed an actual outlet & my phone uses a USB-c cord. A seat in the back came apart. There was extreme dust on the ceilings & other crevices. Tips: Expect to have a very independent experience. Be willing to take the initiative to have your questions answered.

5.0

Miyani

18 November 2022 - Regular commuter

Greyhound
Pros: My driver Cons: Nothing, very good

4.0

Aknur

7 November 2019 - Solo travel

Greyhound
Cons: The Wi-Fi isn't connected to the Internet but it says it is.

4.0

Patrice

1 July 2019 - Holiday

Greyhound
Pros: The drivers drove smoothly, made excellent lane changes. One driver had to deal with an unruly passenger. He was very professional and dealt with the situation in a manner that left us passengers feeling safe and confident that our driver had the ability to handle difficult situations Tips: Bring earplugs as some passengers talk all night long

3.0

Connie

31 May 2019 - Holiday

Greyhound
Pros: We liked that the bus had outlets to charge our phones Cons: The seats weren’t very comfortable, the bathrooms definitely needed to be cleaned, we arrived to out destination 10 hours late due to bus breaking down a few times and waited on the side of the highway in the hot sun, so a better working bus in general would have been great. Tips: Don’t sit by the bathrooms!!!!!

How much is a coach ticket from Nashville to Chicago?

Coach tickets for a trip from Nashville to Chicago cost about US$86 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 Nashville to Chicago by travel date

US$120US$80US$40NovNov

If you're planning to travel by coach from Nashville to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from US$66 to US$120. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 8 December 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, coach tickets are available starting at US$86.

Average coach ticket prices from Nashville to Chicago by month

US$125US$100US$75US$50US$25JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the coach from Nashville to Chicago is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only US$91. If you're planning to take the coach from Nashville to Chicago during April, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$108. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

US$125US$100US$75US$50US$2501020

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 US$38.43 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What coach companies travel from Nashville to Chicago?

There are 3 coach lines from Nashville to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 16 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 Thruway210h 17mUS$126.00
FlixBus US410h 16mUS$90.34
Greyhound1611h 26mUS$100.13
  • 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 Nashville to Chicago start at US$126. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway coach trips on this route every day.

  • 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 4 trips per day from Nashville to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only US$90.34.

    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 16 coach trips from Nashville to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 26 minutes to complete. Coach tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from US$50.98.

    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 Nashville to Chicago

There are 20 scheduled coaches that travel from Nashville to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 16 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip.

Trips per day

20

Direct trips

16

The coach takes an average of 11 hours and 2 minutes to cover the 398 miles from Nashville to Chicago. However, the fastest coach only takes 8 hours and 55 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)

398

Distance (km)

640

The first coach leaves at 0:05 and the last coach leaves at 22:15. To see the times for all coaches from Nashville to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

12:05am

Latest coach

10:15pm

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for coaches, as many passengers take the coach to Chicago 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

Nashville

Nashville, TN - BNA-0Nashville, TN - BNA-1Nashville, TN - BNA-2

Nashville may be the capital of the state of Tennessee, but it’s actually much more famous as the country music capital of the world. If you are a fan of country music, or music in general, Nashville is a must-visit destination. Here you can visit several one-of-a-kind museums dedicated to the genre and attend amazing live performances every day at pretty much every bar or venue across town.

There are two places that you absolutely must visit while you’re in town: the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum (for obvious reasons), and the legendary Grand Ole Opry House, known as country’s most famous stage. Once you get those out of the way, head over to Broadway and snatch yourself a pair of cowboy boots before embarking on a tour of the many bars and restaurants that make up Nashville’s most famous street.

And if you’re looking to escape the country-ness of it all, you might want to head over to East Nashville where you will find hip new restaurants and bars full of young and artistic crowds. It’s definitely worth checking out the area, if only for the several Insta-ready murals you will find there.

While there is no Amtrak train service that goes to Nashville, there are several coach carriers that serve the city and the main coach station is located very conveniently downtown, not too far from all the hustle and bustle of Music City. The Nashville International Airport is located on the outskirts of the city, but there is a direct coach transit service that will take you from there all the way to the heart of town.

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 Nashville?

Main departure station: Greyhound: Bus Station

The primary coach station in Nashville is in the heart of the SoBro (“South of Broadway”) neighbourhood, surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and music venues. From this station, you can catch Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, and Amtrak Thruway coaches offering trips to destinations throughout the United States. To make travelling stress-free, this station is open 24 hours a day and includes toilets, vending machines, and charging stations for your phone.

All coach stations in Nashville:

  • Greyhound: Bus Station

Where does the coach arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Dan Ryan Bus Station

Coaches arrive in Chicago at 4 stations, depending on which coach line you are travelling with.

Coach stations in Chicago:

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

Need a return trip from Chicago to Nashville?

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