Cheap coach tickets from Madison to Chicago

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

Coach from Madison to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 67 intercity coaches per day from Madison to Chicago. Travelling by coach from Madison to Chicago usually takes around 3 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Coach USA coach can make the trip in just one hour and 55 minutes.

Distance: 122 mi (197 km)
Shortest duration: 2h 40m
Cheapest price: US$24.48
Trips per day: 90
Most frequent service: Coach USA
Coach lines: 5

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!

Find, compare & book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Helpful info about taking the coach from Madison to Chicago

Travelling from Madison to Chicago? We've got you covered:

In Madison, you have several bus stops to choose from, like the Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot in eastern Madison, but the best travel hub on this route is the Gordon Center at the University of Wisconsin. From here, you'll get the best selection of carriers—like CoachUSA and FlixBus—as well as the most options for where to arrive in Chicago itself.

Depending on traffic and weather conditions, your coach will take I-90, which has you passing by Rockford, or I-94, which takes you near Milwaukee. The route by Rockford tends to be a bit quicker, with most journeys taking around 2 hours, but it can sometimes take closer to 3 or 3 and a half hours when dealing with less-than-ideal weather conditions. Be prepared for occasional longer journeys, but rest assured that the dedicated drivers will prioritize your safety and comfort throughout the trip. Or, if you need a quicker option, Amtrak runs trains from Madison to Chicago—just be sure to book in advance, as train fare tends to be a bit pricier than coach tickets.

Most passengers will likely choose to go to Chicago's Union Station since it's right in the city centre and has plenty of connecting options—both by coach and train. But, if the next leg of your trip takes you skyward, you can book with CoachUSA to drop off right at the Chicago O'Hare airport for ultimate convenience. If neither of those options sounds good, consider booking on Greyhound, which offers additional drop-offs at the Dan Ryan Bus Station and 630 W Harrison St.

Whether you're commuting for business, exploring for pleasure, or visiting loved ones, our coach trips from Madison to Chicago offer a hassle-free and affordable way to travel. Sit back, relax, and let us take you to the vibrant streets of the Windy City.

Madison to Chicago Coach Timetable

Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

When journeying from Madison to Chicago, passengers frequently cite the friendliness of drivers and appreciate the availability of both charging outlets and reliable WiFi. See more of what they have to say: (Based on 74 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Tatoo

2 November 2025 - Solo travel

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: It was quick Cons: Na

4.0

Redet

31 August 2025 - Visiting friends

Coach USA

Pros: The bus driver was very nice and professional Cons: I like when buses are under booked so that there is more of a chance to get a row to myself, but i know that that is not something your company can necessarily plan for. Tips: Get to the station on time and be respectful of the other passengers

5.0

Alexis

20 July 2025 - Solo travel

FlixBus US

Pros: Staff was friendly and helpful. Answered any questions the travelers had. Cons: N/A Tips: N/A

5.0

DeNise

21 June 2025 - Solo travel

Coach USA

Pros: Not driving and being able to nap! Cons: N/A Tips: Make sure u double check drop off and pickup closest to your destination..public transportation is a blessing!

5.0

Alexander

20 June 2025 - Visiting friends

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Loved it! Cons: Nothing ! Keep on the good work Tips: Recommend your company

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

See more details

How much is a coach ticket from Madison to Chicago?

Coach tickets for a trip from Madison to Chicago cost about US$40 when you book at the cheapest time, 8 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than US$40 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 Madison to Chicago by travel date

If you're planning to travel by coach from Madison to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from US$41 to US$45. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 10 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, coach tickets are available starting at US$41.

Average coach ticket prices from Madison to Chicago by month

Travelling from Madison to Chicago by coach will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, coach ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around US$40 whenever you decide to travel.

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 8 days in advance. This way, you can save up to US$3.55 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What coach companies travel from Madison to Chicago?

There are 4 coach carriers from Madison to Chicago, each offering multiple trips per day available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. CoachUSA has the most trips on a given day, while Amtrak Thruway tends to have more reliable WiFi. Greyhound has the most options for departure and arrival but with fewer trips overall. With Wanderu, you can compare timetables, fares, and amenities all in one place to book with the carrier that meets your needs.

Coach	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak Thruway	12	3h 54m	US$43.00
Coach USA	76	2h 58m	US$38.10
FlixBus US	7	4h 36m	US$45.51
Greyhound	3	3h 46m	US$46.35
Jefferson Lines	1	19h 25m	US$182.97

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 Madison to Chicago start at US$43. On average, there are 12 Amtrak Thruway coach trips on this route every day.
Book Coach USA from Madison to Chicago from US$38.10. There are 76 trips per day offered by Coach USA from Madison to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay US$38.10 for a Coach USA ticket to Chicago. In Madison, Coach USA departs to Chicago from University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center and one other station. In Chicago, Coach USA arrives at Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport and one other station.
An average trip on Coach USA from Madison to Chicago takes 2 hours and 58 minutes, while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Chicago in 2 hours and 40 minutes.
At weekends, Coach USA offers 76 trips per day. A single ticket costs US$38.10 for a weekend trip to Chicago.
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 7 trips per day from Madison to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only US$45.51.
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 3 coach trips from Madison to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 46 minutes to complete. Coach tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from US$24.48.
Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity coach company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest coach service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, toilets, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their coach tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Madison to Chicago with ticket prices as low as US$179.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Madison to Chicago

The cheapest coach carrier you can take from Madison to Chicago is Greyhound, which has an average ticket price of $24.40. That said, Greyhound also averages the longest travel time at 5 hours and 54 minutes. To arrive in Chicago sooner, consider travelling on a Megabus, with an average travel time of 3 hours and 43 minutes. Megabus tickets average a few dollars more than Greyhound, but may be worth it to save you almost two hours.

Coach carriers such as Megabus and Van Galder depart from Langdon Street just outside of the Memorial Union building on the east side of the UW-Madison campus. The Memorial Union is on the south shore of Lake Mendota, next to the Helen C. White Hall and across from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

The fastest you can expect to arrive in Chicago from Madison is about 3 hours, though the average time is closer to 3 hours and 45 minutes. Nonstop flights from Madison to Chicago take about an hour, but are far more expensive, averaging about $229. For comparison, coach tickets for this route average just $25.08.

For travel between Madison and Chicago, the coach is almost always the right choice. Coaches cover the 122-mile trip in about 3 to 4 hours, with Greyhound starting around $25, Megabus and Van Galder (Coach USA) typically a few dollars more, and FlixBus also serving the route. Amtrak's nearest passenger-rail stations are in Milwaukee and Columbus, so “train” trips from Madison are sold by Amtrak as Thruway connections — about 3 daily options that combine a connecting coach with a train and take roughly 12 hours end-to-end. Nonstop flights from Madison's Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) to Chicago O'Hare take about an hour in the air but average around $229 versus roughly $25 for a coach ticket, and airport check-in and security usually erase the in-flight time savings. For most travellers, especially those headed to downtown Chicago or O'Hare, the coach wins on price, total travel time, and convenience.

There are 90 scheduled coaches that travel from Madison to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 84 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 Madison to Chicago; ticket prices start at US$49.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The coach takes an average of 3 hours and 28 minutes to cover the 122 miles from Madison to Chicago. However, the fastest coach only takes 2 hours and 40 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a film. 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)

122

Distance (km)

197

The first coach leaves at 0:30 and the last coach leaves at 19:00. To see the times for all coaches from Madison to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

12:30am

Latest coach

7:00pm

Because many passengers travel from Madison to Chicago at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for coaches. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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

Monday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Madison

Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colourful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest coach/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

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 Madison?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Coaches to Chicago leave from 4 stations in Madison.

All coach stations in Madison:

University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Phillips 66
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

Where does the coach arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport

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

Coach stations in Chicago:

Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport
Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr
Union Station
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Dan Ryan Bus Station

Need a return trip from Chicago to Madison?

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.