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Buses from Chicago to Champaign

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Chicago - Champaign Bus Schedule

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Bus Route Overview: Chicago to Champaign

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Champaign. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Champaign usually takes around 3 hours and 42 minutes, but the fastest Tornado Bus bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance126 mi (203 km)
Shortest duration2h 15m
Cheapest price$18.00
Trips per day4
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Chicago to Champaign

(Based on 15 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Bangyan

April 6, 2022- Visiting friends

Greyhound

Pros: All good. Cons: All good.

Pros: All good. Cons: All good.

5.0

Holly

December 14, 2021- Business

Greyhound

Pros: I wish I had gotten the drivers name- She was OUTSTANDING and should be recognized for integrity and professionalism. This was for Dec 13 at 6:10 pm from Chicago, #1163 My destination was Champaign, Illinois but she was driving to St Louis. The driver was very ...

Pros: I wish I had gotten the drivers name- She was OUTSTANDING and should be recognized for integrity and professionalism. This was for Dec 13 at 6:10 pm from Chicago, #1163 My destination was Champaign, Illinois but she was driving to St Louis. The driver was very appropriately strict about safety precautions AND courtesy to other passengers regarding noise and phone use. She demonstrated incredible leadership skills. It was also a very comfortable ride. I was so impressed with her. I hope she is my driver agian as I will be using this return bus more often. Cons: Larger and/or more obvious sinage at station regarding departure times and gates. Tips: Arrive early- the bus leaves promplty.

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5.0

Darryl

May 10, 2020- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: I liked the space and the comfortable seating on the greyhound. Cons: Everything is fine. Tips: Practice social distancing.

Pros: I liked the space and the comfortable seating on the greyhound. Cons: Everything is fine. Tips: Practice social distancing.

5.0

Jessamine

November 2, 2019- Visiting family

Peoria Charter

Pros: Even though the bus left a couple minutes late, we arrived to my destination a couple minutes early! Cons: From the ticket, it wasn't very clear where the bus departed from. I wandered around Midway Airport for a while, asking employees where to go, and it took a...

Pros: Even though the bus left a couple minutes late, we arrived to my destination a couple minutes early! Cons: From the ticket, it wasn't very clear where the bus departed from. I wandered around Midway Airport for a while, asking employees where to go, and it took a long time and a lot of stress before I finally found the bus. Tips: The bus departs from Midway Airport in the lower level, outside of gate 6.

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5.0

Gaspard

October 11, 2019- Solo travel

Peoria Charter

Pros: departure from Terminal 5. Cons: Electricity was supposed to be available, but I did not see any USB port.

Pros: departure from Terminal 5. Cons: Electricity was supposed to be available, but I did not see any USB port.

Chicago to Champaign Route Map

Chicago Champaign

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Champaign?

$21.03 is the average price of a bus ticket from Chicago to Champaign. 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

$30$20$10MayMay

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Chicago to Champaign is expected to range from $21 to $25. If you are looking to travel to Champaign within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $21. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $21 and can be found on May 17, 2022.

Monthly average prices

$25$20$15$10$5JJASONDJFMAM
Traveling from Chicago to Champaign by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for that route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $22 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

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 18 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save $8.61 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Champaign?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Chicago to Champaign that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound33h 44m$22.58
Tornado Bus22h 21m$71.42
  • Greyhound

    Greyhound

    Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus 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 bus trips from Chicago to Champaign every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 44 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Champaign usually start from $18.

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  • Tornado Bus

    Tornado Bus

    Tornado Bus is a regional bus company that primarily serves the southern United States and Mexico. Founded in 1993, Tornado Bus Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. For Tornado travel from Chicago to Champaign, Tornado operates 2 scheduled trips per day with prices starting from $70.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest bus from Chicago to Champaign?

The fastest bus from Chicago to Champaign is through M&M Shuttle, which has an average travel time of just 2 hours. However, there is only 1 M&M shuttle per day, so if you miss out on that option you might consider Tornado Bus, which takes 2 hours 15 minutes.

Is there a train from Chicago to Champaign?

There are 3 train lines that travel from Chicago to Champaign: Amtrak City of New Orleans, Amtrak Illini Service and Amtrak Saluki. Train tickets for this route average just $16, and have an average travel time of about 2 hours 15 minutes.

Is Chicago to Champaign a good day-trip?

If you take one of the buses that gets to Champaign in less than 2 hours 30 minutes, then Chicago to Champaign can be a good day-trip. Typically you can find a bus that departs for Champaign around 7:00 a.m., with the latest return bus departing between 11:30 and midnight. Such a trip would give you a full 14 hours in Champaign.

Is it safe to travel by bus from Chicago to Champaign during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our bus partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, bus carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

In addition, federal law requires all bus passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the bus.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

How long is the bus ride from Chicago to Champaign?

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 42 minutes to cover the 126 miles from Chicago to Champaign. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 15 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 bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

What is the busiest day of the week to travel by bus?

Buses departing from Chicago to Champaign tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap bus tickets or just want an emptier bus you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Wednesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

When do the earliest and latest buses leave Chicago?

The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Champaign, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

How many buses are there each day?

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Champaign every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Chicago to Champaign without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Champaign; ticket prices start at $14.00.

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.

Champaign

Champaign, IL - CHM-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Champaign, IL - CHM-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Champaign, IL - CHM-2

Image credit: Pixabay

A significant hub for the Silicone Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.

As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colorful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.

The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, Peoria Charter, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago has two bus stations with service to Champaign.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • 3501 S California Ave

Where does the bus arrive in Champaign?

Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave - CHMAMT-0

Image credit: Beyond My Ken

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport center opened in 1999, and now provides bus and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Peoria Charter, Jefferson Lines, and local mass transit. Make sure to wait in the correct station building; Champaign’s old train station, dating to 1898, is just across the street. The Illinois Terminal offers short-term parking, fast food, and even meeting spaces and banquet halls. Thanks to the station’s convenient location, some of the best restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign are just a short walk away.

All bus stations in Champaign:

  • Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

  • Pilot Travel center

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