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Cheap coach tickets from Madison to Chicago

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Madison to Chicago Coach Timetable

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Madison to Chicago?

There are usually 2 daily train trips from Madison to Chicago.

Coach
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
RON 174.14
Avg. Price
RON 240.23
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
95
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
3h 25m
Duration
16h 36m

Coach from Madison to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 85 intercity coaches per day from Madison to Chicago. Traveling by coach from Madison to Chicago usually takes around 3 hours and 18 minutes, but the fastest Coach USA coach can make the trip in 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance122 mi (197 km)
Shortest duration2h 40m
Cheapest priceRON 107.93
Trips per day90
Most frequent serviceCoach USA
Coach lines4

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Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for coaches from Madison to Chicago

(Based on 71 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Alexis

21 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.

5.0

Andy

7 June 2025- Solo travel

FlixBus US

Fast and arrived early!

5.0

Roderick

21 February 2025- Solo travel

FlixBus US

Bigger seats

How much is a coach ticket from Madison to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Chicago cost RON 166.78 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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 Madison to Chicago by travel date

RON 198RON 132RON 66NovNov

If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from RON 163 to RON 176. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 7 November 2025.

If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at RON 163.

Average coach ticket prices from Madison to Chicago by month

RON 220RON 176RON 132RON 88RON 44DJFMAMJJASON
Traveling from Madison to Chicago by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around RON 172 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

RON 220RON 176RON 132RON 88RON 443020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 17 days in advance. This way, you can save up to RON 12.26 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What coach companies travel from Madison to Chicago?

There are 4 bus lines from Madison to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 60 daily trips, Coach USA 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
Amtrak Thruway123h 53mRON 189.57
Coach USA602h 59mRON 167.97
FlixBus US114h 30mRON 180.67
Greyhound24h 28mRON 162.20
  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Madison to Chicago start at RON 190. On average, there are 12 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Coach USA from Madison to Chicago from RON 168. There are 60 Coach USA schedules from Madison to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Coach USA ticket to Chicago. In Madison, Coach USA departs to Chicago from University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center and 1 other station. In Chicago, Coach USA arrives at Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport and 1 other station.

    An average trip on Coach USA from Madison to Chicago takes 2 hours and 59 minutes , while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Chicago in 2 hours and 40 minutes .

    On weekends, Coach USA offers 60 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway to Chicago.

  • 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 11 trips per day from Madison to Chicago, 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 2 bus trips from Madison to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 28 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from RON 110.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by coach from Madison to Chicago

The cheapest bus 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 traveling 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.
Bus 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, bus tickets for this route average just $25.08.

The coach takes an average of 3 hours and 18 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 movie. 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.

Saturday is usually the day when coaches are busiest, as many travelers take the coach to enjoy the weekend in Chicago. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

The first coach leaves at 01:00 and the last coach leaves at 17:00. To see the times for all coaches from Madison to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 85 scheduled coaches that travel from Madison to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 90 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 RON 189.57.

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 Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful 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 bus/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 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.

Station Information

Where does the coach leave from in Madison?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Coaches to Chicago leave from 5 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

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West 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 traveling 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

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Chicago to Madison?

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