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Chicago to Indianapolis bus

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Chicago - Indianapolis Bus Timetable

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Journey Information

There are 25 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Indianapolis. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Indianapolis usually takes around 3 hours and 56 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 3 hours,

Distance165 mi (265 km)
Shortest duration3h 0m
Cheapest priceUS$28.49
Trips per day22
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines5

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Chicago to Indianapolis

(Based on 61 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Heidi

30 June 2023- Visiting family

OurBus

It was a good ride quiet and calm I slept most of the way

5.0

Marian

17 June 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

The driving and the driver was great!

5.0

Hayden

14 May 2023- Visiting friends

OurBus

Pros: No complaints. Cons: The electric plug ins on the left side of the seating did not work but the right side did. There were not many passengers so it was an easy swap.

5.0

Sofya

5 May 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Comfortable. Cons: Spacing.

5.0

Ebitimi

30 April 2023- Business

OurBus

Arrived on time. Was able to complete my business and returned same day to Chicago.

Chicago to Indianapolis Route Map

Chicago Indianapolis
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How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Indianapolis?

US$35.32 is the average price of a bus ticket from Chicago to Indianapolis. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

US$45US$30US$15AprApr

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Chicago to Indianapolis is expected to range from US$33 to US$44. If you are looking to travel to Indianapolis within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from US$34. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are US$33 and can be found on 7 May 2024.

Monthly average prices

US$50US$40US$30US$20US$10MJJASONDJFMA

The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in February. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just US$39 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Chicago to Indianapolis in March, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to US$47 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

US$75US$60US$45US$30US$153020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 29 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save US$35.34 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Indianapolis?

There are 5 bus lines from Chicago to Indianapolis available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 15 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway23h 50mUS$40.00
Barons Bus Lines16h 50mUS$70.00
Burlington Trailways111h 15mUS$133.87
FlixBus US63h 36mUS$44.98
Greyhound153h 50mUS$48.33

  • 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 Chicago to Indianapolis start at US$40. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Indianapolis from US$70. Typically there is one Barons Bus Lines schedule per day from Chicago to Indianapolis and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Indianapolis. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines departs to Indianapolis from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In Indianapolis, Barons Bus Lines arrives at 350 S Illinois St .

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Indianapolis takes 6 hours and 50 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Indianapolis in 3 hours and 0 minutes .

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Indianapolis.

  • Book Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Indianapolis from US$130. Typically there is one Burlington Trailways schedule per day from Chicago to Indianapolis and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Indianapolis. In Chicago, Burlington Trailways departs to Indianapolis from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In Indianapolis, Burlington Trailways arrives at 350 S Illinois St .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Indianapolis takes 11 hours and 15 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Indianapolis in 3 hours and 0 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Indianapolis.

  • 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 6 trips per day from Chicago to Indianapolis, 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 15 bus trips from Chicago to Indianapolis every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Indianapolis usually start from US$28.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there is a train from Chicago to Indianapolis. The Amtrak Cardinal covers this route 1 time per day. Tickets average about $28, and the trip takes almost 5 hours.
The best way to get from Chicago to Indianapolis is probably by bus. The bus is often both the cheapest and fastest travel option for this particular route, and also has the most schedules per day.
To get from Chicago O’Hare to Indianapolis, you’ll take a 46 minute subway trip from the O’Hare station to the Clinton Blue Line Station. From there, you can travel two blocks north and catch a bus from Union Station, about three blocks south to take a Megabus, or about a block and a half southwest to the Greyhound station.

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 56 minutes to cover the 265 kilometers from Chicago to Indianapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours. 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 bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 06:00 and the last bus leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Indianapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 25 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Indianapolis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 22 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Indianapolis; ticket prices start at US$29.00.

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 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.

Indianapolis

Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.

Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.

Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Buses to Indianapolis leave from 4 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

  • Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

Where does the bus arrive in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

Image credit: Panoramio upload bot

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 350 S Illinois St

Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.

Bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • E Washington St

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