5.0
Pros: Everything very nice. Thanks. Cons: No. Thanks. Tips: No. Thanks.
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There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Chicago to St Louis.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceMX$1,100.36 | Avg. PriceMX$1,118.57 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips11 | Daily Trips6 |
Duration | Duration8h 6m | Duration6h 3m |
You can pick from 10 daily bus trips between Chicago and St Louis. The average bus journey from Chicago to St Louis takes 7 hours and 56 minutes, but some FlixBus US bus trips are as short as 5 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 262 mi (422 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 45m |
| Cheapest price | MX$623.60 |
| Trips per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |

Average score for buses from Chicago to St Louis
(Based on 7 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Everything very nice. Thanks. Cons: No. Thanks. Tips: No. Thanks.
Over the past month, a train ticket between Chicago and St Louis cost MX$918.67, on average. Booking your trip at least 29 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around MX$351.24 more.
For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way bus trip from Chicago to St Louis will range from MX$849 to MX$1,491. If you're planning to travel by bus to St Louis in the upcoming week, the cheapest bus ticket from Chicago you can find in the next 7 days is MX$867. Be sure to book your trip in advance as bus ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.
If you're looking to save on your bus trip from Chicago to St Louis, book online with Wanderu at least 29 days in advance. That way, you’ll save MX$351.24 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Chicago to St Louis that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 5 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 5 | 6h 45m | MX$958.20 |
| Greyhound | 5 | 9h 0m | MX$1,299.73 |
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 5 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 5 bus trips from Chicago to St Louis every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 0 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to St Louis usually start from MX$624.
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.
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 56 minutes to cover the 262 miles from Chicago to St Louis. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 45 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.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking buses from Chicago to St Louis. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the bus and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to St Louis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 10 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to St Louis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 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 MX$468.09.



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.

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

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.

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionBuses to St Louis leave from 3 stations in Chicago.
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
All buses from Chicago arrive at one main station in St Louis.
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
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With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.