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Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to Indianapolis

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Chicago to Indianapolis Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Chicago to Indianapolis.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$45.12
Avg. Price
$69.28
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
25
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
4h 25m
Duration
7h 44m

Bus from Chicago to Indianapolis: Journey Information

There are 24 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Indianapolis. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Indianapolis usually takes around 4 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance165 mi (265 km)
Shortest duration2h 55m
Cheapest price$30.97
Trips per day21
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines4

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Chicago to Indianapolis

(Based on 73 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Katrina

December 20, 2025- Visiting friends

FlixBus US

Pros: It was on time and that the driver was very consistent. It clean organized.and peaceful ride. Cons: The spacing. Tips: Be more considering of the of elders.

5.0

Julianah

September 25, 2025- Visiting friends

FlixBus US

Pros: On time. Cons: Driver could be more friendly and helpful. Tips: Give information as necessary in courteous manner.,.

4.0

Heidi

July 31, 2025- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: It was a good the bus driver was polite and helpful . Cons: The seats. Tips: The lady was nice.

4.0

Warren

June 29, 2025- Visiting friends

FlixBus US

Pros: Had enough room to spread out in my seat. Cons: Reinforce to passengers about the volume of their devices while riding. Tips: Keep your belongings with you as much as you can. If you have to put a piece of luggage underneath the bus, it is advisable to get out at a connecting stop and make sure it is not taken.

5.0

farentina

May 26, 2025- Solo travel

FlixBus US

Pros: Take a break. Cons: More phone charger.

Chicago to Indianapolis Route Map

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Indianapolis cost $42.43 on average. Tickets cheaper than $42.43 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to Indianapolis by travel date

$60$40$20JanFeb

If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Indianapolis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $41 to $55. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on February 8, 2026.

If you’re looking to travel to Indianapolis this week, bus tickets are available starting at $42.

Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to Indianapolis by month

$75$60$45$30$15FMAMJJASONDJ
Traveling from Chicago to Indianapolis 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 $46 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $17.94 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Indianapolis?

There are 4 bus lines from Chicago to Indianapolis available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 12 daily trips, FlixBus US 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 42m$53.00
Barons Bus Lines29h 41m$101.21
FlixBus US124h 7m$46.26
Greyhound93h 56m$43.53

  • 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 $53. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Indianapolis from $80. There are 2 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines 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 9 hours and 41 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Indianapolis in 2 hours and 55 minutes .

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend 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 12 trips per day from Chicago to Indianapolis, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • 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 9 bus trips from Chicago to Indianapolis every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 56 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Indianapolis usually start from $33.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Chicago to Indianapolis

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 4 hours and 22 minutes to cover the 165 miles from Chicago to Indianapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 55 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Indianapolis 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, 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 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Indianapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 24 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Indianapolis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 21 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 $34.00.

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

  • Union Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

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.

All bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • E Washington St

  • Indianapolis Northeast

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