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Chicago to Louisville bus

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Chicago - Louisville Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 15 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Louisville. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Louisville usually takes around 6 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 29 minutes.

Distance269 mi (433 km)
Shortest duration5h 29m
Cheapest price$31.99
Trips per day14
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Chicago to Louisville

(Based on 10 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Waliuddin

January 4, 2023- Regular commuter

Miller Transportation

Pros: Excellent trip best service on value for money. Cons: All good. Tips: Look for offers and deals.

5.0

Wendy

July 29, 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: The drivers were friendly and so were the people on the bus. Cons: The bus was one hour late at Union Station so another bus driver took us to the Greyhound Station where we boarded the bus. Someone should have told us it would be late. Tips: No.

5.0

Tasha

June 21, 2022- Business

Greyhound

Pros: Great drivers. Cons: nothing. Tips: be on tkme.

4.0

William h.

October 7, 2021- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: How the driver was a safe driver. Cons: Seats or bus could be wider and bathrooms could be larger . Tips: The short trips were decent but never took a longer one.

4.0

Ravindrabhai

July 16, 2021- Visiting family

Miller Transportation

Pros: Nice customer service. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Wear mask and stay safe.

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How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Louisville?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Louisville cost $49.50 on average. Tickets cheaper than $49.50 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 prices by travel date

$75$50$25AprMay

Bus tickets from Chicago to Louisville are expected to cost between $43 and $66 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Louisville within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $47. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

$75$60$45$30$15MJJASONDJFMA
Taking the bus from Chicago to Louisville is usually cheapest in May, when the average ticket price is only $45. If you're planning to take the bus from Chicago to Louisville during August, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $55. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

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 23 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $35.62 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Louisville?

There are 4 bus lines from Chicago to Louisville available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 10 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 Thruway26h 32m$77.00
Barons Bus Lines111h 56m$107.00
FlixBus US27h 3m$60.03
Greyhound106h 20m$57.20

  • 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 Chicago to Louisville start at $77. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Louisville from $107. Typically there is one Barons Bus Lines schedule per day from Chicago to Louisville and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Louisville. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines departs to Louisville from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In Louisville, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Louisville Bus Station .

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Louisville takes 11 hours and 56 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Louisville in 5 hours and 29 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 Louisville.

  • 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 2 trips per day from Chicago to Louisville, 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 10 bus trips from Chicago to Louisville every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 20 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Louisville usually start from $32.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 37 minutes to cover the 269 miles from Chicago to Louisville. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 29 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. 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, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday 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 Louisville, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 15 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Louisville every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 14 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 Louisville; ticket prices start at $74.00.

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.

Louisville

A mecca for fans of sports, Louisville holds the honor of being the birthplace of many sports legends. Even non-sports fans should not miss out on the Muhammad Ali Center, where tourists can learn more about the life and legacy of the legendary boxer. Aside from permanent galleries dedicated to the boxer himself, the museum also features temporary exhibitions on topics such as race and gender equality. Another top highlight from the city is Churchill Downs, where the famous Kentucky Derby is hosted. Contrary to what people might imagine, the racing track is actually quite idyllic, and if there is one place you must visit in Louisville, this is probably the one. If you are looking for a unique experience, head towards the Louisville Mega Cavern. This cavern system was created out of a 19th-century limestone quarry and it features the world’s only underground zip line course.

Three things dominate the food scene in Louisville: barbecue, bourbon, and mint juleps. Some local favorites are Mark’s Feed Store and Feast BBQ. If you are looking for the finest bourbon, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is certainly a good call.

The central bus station in Louisville is the Bus Terminal on W Muhammad Ali Blvd, connecting the city with near and far destinations such as Cincinnati, Chicago and Nashville. There are no train tracks that run through the city. However, the city is still a part of Amtrak’s network via the carrier’s Thruway bus line. The Louisville International Airport fulfills air services for the city.

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 Louisville 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 Louisville?

Main arrival station: Louisville Bus Station

The Louisville Bus Terminal, located at 720 W Muhammad Ali Blvd, serves interstate Greyhound bus services. The station is equipped with restrooms, vending machines, and indoor seating. The station also has an adjoining cafeteria in case vending machine snacks aren't enough to satisfy your hunger. In addition, there is also a customer service and ticket kiosk where station staff can answer any questions you may have. The station is located in Downtown Louisville, only a short walk from the city's most exciting amenities and several nearby restaurants and convenience stores.

All bus stations in Louisville:

  • Louisville Bus Station

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