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Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to St Louis

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Chicago to St Louis Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Chicago to St Louis.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$71.79
Avg. Price
$73.11
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
9
Daily Trips
6
Duration
Duration
8h 7m
Duration
5h 45m

Bus from Chicago to St Louis: Journey Information

There are 9 intercity buses per day from Chicago to St Louis. Traveling by bus from Chicago to St Louis usually takes around 7 hours and 51 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance262 mi (422 km)
Shortest duration5h 35m
Cheapest price$26.48
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines3

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Chicago to St Louis

(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.3

2.0

Chaoyue

July 7, 2019- Solo travel

Greyhound

Air conditioner is leaking water to the seats

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to St Louis?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to St Louis cost $70.61 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 St Louis by travel date

$135$90$45DecDec

If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to St Louis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $45 to $123. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 10, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to St Louis this week, bus tickets are available starting at $45.

Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to St Louis by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND
Taking the bus from Chicago to St Louis is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $52. If you're planning to take the bus from Chicago to St Louis during August, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $63. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$253020100

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 11 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $44.51 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to St Louis?

There are 3 bus lines from Chicago to St Louis available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 8 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
Burlington Trailways110h 30m$166.00
FlixBus US112h 25m$205.90
Greyhound87h 41m$74.42
  • Book Burlington Trailways from Chicago to St Louis from $166. Typically there is one Burlington Trailways schedule per day from Chicago to St Louis and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to St Louis. In Chicago, Burlington Trailways departs to St Louis from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In St Louis, Burlington Trailways arrives at Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Chicago to St Louis takes 10 hours and 30 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to St Louis in 5 hours and 35 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 St Louis.

  • 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 St Louis, 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 8 bus trips from Chicago to St Louis every day, with the average journey taking around 7 hours and 41 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to St Louis usually start from $26.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Chicago to St Louis

Yes, the Amtrak runs from Chicago to St. Louis. Both the Amtrak Texas Eagle and Amtrak Lincoln Service cover this route.

However, the bus may be a better option. Both the train and the bus take as little as just over 5 hours to reach St. Louis, but bus tickets cost $22 on average, whereas train tickets cost closer to $30. Plus, while there are only 5 daily train trips for this route, there are 15 daily bus trips, so it may be easier to find a bus trip that fits your schedule.

Yes, Megabus does go to St. Louis from Chicago. Megabus offers 1 trip per day for this route, and tickets cost about $25 on average.
The cheapest bus from Chicago to St. Louis is usually Greyhound, with an average price of about $24.50 per ticket. Greyhound also offers the most daily trips for this route.

The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 51 minutes to cover the 262 miles from Chicago to St Louis. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 35 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.

Because many passengers travel from Chicago to St Louis at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to St Louis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 9 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to St Louis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 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 St Louis; ticket prices start at $27.00.

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.

St Louis

St. Louis, MO - STL-0

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis, MO - STL-1

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis, MO - STL-2

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.

Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.

Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.

The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.

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 St Louis leave from 3 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

Where does the bus arrive in St Louis?

Main arrival station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in St Louis.

All bus stations in St Louis:

  • Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

  • Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from St Louis to Chicago?

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