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Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to South Bend

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Chicago to South Bend Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Chicago to South Bend.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$28.93

Avg. Price

$35.52

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

7

Daily Trips

2

Duration

Duration

2h 51m

Duration

1h 28m

Search BusesSearch Trains

Bus from Chicago to South Bend: Journey Information

There are 7 intercity buses per day from Chicago to South Bend. Traveling by bus from Chicago to South Bend usually takes around 2 hours and 48 minutes, but the fastest Barons Bus Lines bus can make the trip in just one hour and 50 minutes.

Distance72 mi (116 km)
Shortest duration1h 50m
Cheapest price$18.48
Trips per day5
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Chicago to South Bend

(Based on 12 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Gabriel

June 17, 2023- Visiting family

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: The Nothing. Everything was? So. OK?driver was so friendly. Cons: Nothing everything was so perfect. Tips: I can't speak for them.

5.0

Hema

September 17, 2022- Business

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: Goin to south bend was great, the driver was very courteous and the bus was clean and timely. Cons: Coming back fro. South bend was a nightmare the first bus left us stranded and took off 10 minutes before time. There was no one at the terminal n no instructions We booked an uber found found out 5 mins before arrival that another bus will come at 830. That bus was dirty and it was difficult to get on because we weren't scheduled for that time but the bus was half empty. Maybe providing instructions before people disembark as to when to return n give information so ppl have someone to call or communicate with. Tips: Went for the Notre Dame game in South bend however you apparently need to book the return trip 2 hours after the game ends to not get stuck!

5.0

Sam

September 17, 2022- Vacation

Barons Bus Lines

Cons: Tvs on. Tips: Arrive early, stay invetween both bays.

5.0

Sanna

March 13, 2022- Visiting friends

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: The driver was so helpful and I really appreciate her kindness. Cons: Seat capacity. Tips: Nor to my knowledge.

5.0

Gloria

October 29, 2019- Business

Barons Bus Lines

Pros: Very comfortable. Cons: Nothing. Tips: None.

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to South Bend?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to South Bend cost $24.93 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 bus ticket prices from Chicago to South Bend by travel date

$45$30$15NovNov

Bus tickets from Chicago to South Bend are expected to cost between $23 and $44 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to South Bend within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $25. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to South Bend by month

$50$40$30$20$10DJFMAMJJASON
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Chicago to South Bend, mark your calendar for September. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $24. However, taking the bus from Chicago to South Bend during November is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $32. The best way to find deals on a trip in November is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 5 days in advance to save up to $2.94.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to South Bend?

There are 4 bus lines from Chicago to South Bend available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 4 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
Barons Bus Lines22h 3m$25.00
FlixBus US13h 54m$27.37
Greyhound42h 50m$27.15
Tornado Bus12h 1m$70.00
  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to South Bend from $25. There are 2 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to South Bend and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to South Bend. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines departs to South Bend from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In South Bend, Barons Bus Lines arrives at 100 West South St. .

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to South Bend takes 2 hours and 3 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to South Bend in 1 hours and 50 minutes .

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to South Bend.

  • 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 1 trips per day from Chicago to South Bend, 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 4 bus trips from Chicago to South Bend every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to South Bend usually start from $18.

  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Chicago to South Bend

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 48 minutes to cover the 72 miles from Chicago to South Bend. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 50 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Chicago to South Bend for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to South Bend, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 7 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to South Bend every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 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 South Bend; ticket prices start at $19.00.

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.

South Bend

South Bend, IN - SOB-0

Image credit: Pixabay

South Bend, IN - SOB-1

Image credit: Unsplash

South Bend, IN - SOB-2

Image credit: Unsplash

South Bend is quite a small city in Indiana, but this town offers plenty of beautiful landmarks and outdoor activities that will keep you captivated. When visiting South Bend, don't miss the Century Center, which not only hosts some of the best exhibitions in town but also boasts a great view towards the nearby St Joseph River, making it a particularly photogenic spot. The North/South Continental Divide is one particular point of interest, just a bit further down the US 20 bypass. Immerse yourself in nature at Shiojiri Niwa, a Japanese garden with more than twenty different large plants.

Though a small town, South Bend still has plenty of great dining options on its plate. For the best locally sourced burgers and a killer view of the river, check out Oaken Bucket Restaurant. If you can splurge a little bit, LaSalle Grill offers some of the finest dishes in town!

South Bend is a convenient location to reach from anywhere in the Midwest, with several bus stations in the city and Amtrak service stopping at a station close to downtown. In addition, South Bend International Airport is very close to the city and offers flights to domestic and international destinations.

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 South Bend leave from 3 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • 3501 S California Ave

Where does the bus arrive in South Bend?

100 W S St  - SOBBSB-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 100 W S St

The South Street Station opened in 1998 as a multi-modal transit center. It is located in downtown South Bend across the street from the renovated Coveleski Stadium and Union Station. On average, about 2.2 million people use the station every year. A public transit bus stop located right outside the station connects it to the surrounding areas, including Notre Dame University and the U.P. Mall in downtown South Bend.

All bus stations in South Bend:

  • 100 W S St

  • 100 West South St.

  • Walmart - Erskine Commons

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in South Bend by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from South Bend to Chicago?

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