background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to Omaha

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Chicago to Omaha Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00

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

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

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$154.53
Avg. Price
$92.46
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
3
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
14h 56m
Duration
12h 16m

Bus from Chicago to Omaha: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Omaha. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Omaha usually takes around 11 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance435 mi (699 km)
Shortest duration9h 30m
Cheapest price$124.50
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceBurlington Trailways
Bus lines2

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Chicago to Omaha

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Ryan

May 10, 2024- Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: It was a very safe and secure ride I loved them I’ll continue to use you guys !! And I would loveeee a free trip with you guys from Chicago to Omaha and back! Cons: I don’t think you have anything to improve on but there is always room! Tips: Stay safe!

5.0

Kevin J.

September 10, 2021- Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: Ease and cost. Cons: Larger seats. Tips: No.

5.0

Victoria

January 14, 2020- Visiting family

Windstar Lines

Pros: I like how efficient it was. Cons: No improvement. Tips: Bring toilet paper just in case they run out.

4.0

Antoinette

July 4, 2019- Visiting family

Windstar Lines

Pros: Driver kind. Cons: better regulate the air conditioning because too cold. Tips: Nothing in particular.

Price trends for buses from Chicago to Omaha

Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to Omaha by travel date

$150$100$50FebFeb

Monthly avg. prices

$150$120$90$60$30MAMJJASONDJF

Prices as travel date approaches

$175$140$105$70$353020100

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Omaha?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Chicago to Omaha that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Burlington Trailways usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways311h 0m$126.82
Tornado Bus11d 18h 31m$350.00
  • Book Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Omaha from $125. There are 3 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Omaha and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Omaha. In Chicago, Burlington Trailways departs to Omaha from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In Omaha, Burlington Trailways arrives at Burlington Trailways Terminal .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Omaha takes 11 hours and 0 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Omaha in 9 hours and 30 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Omaha.

  • 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 Omaha

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 12 minutes to cover the 435 miles from Chicago to Omaha. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours and 30 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Chicago to Omaha 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Omaha, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Omaha every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Omaha; ticket prices start at $61.00.

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.

Omaha

Once known as the “Gateway to the West,” Omaha effortlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern growth. To catch an air of the city’s old-town vibe, head towards the Old Market quarter. Featuring brick-paved streets along with horse-drawn carriages, the area is an idyllic time capsule that offers a glimpse into the past. Also situated within the quarter are the Joslyn Art Museum and the Omaha Children’s Museum. Animal lovers might want to check out Omaha’s Doorly Zoo or the Aquarium, which features cute Rockhopper penguins as well as a 70-foot shark tunnel.

Steakhouses dominate the city’s restaurant scene, but there has been a recent boom of modern eateries. If you wish to enjoy these modern foods, Kitchen Table will offer everything you need.

The busiest bus station in the city is the Burlington Trailways Terminal downtown. For trains, the main Amtrak station is located on S 9th St, not too far from the bus station. Omaha is served by Amtrak’s California Zephyr line. The city’s principal airport is the Eppley Airfield, located 3 miles northeast of downtown.

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

Chicago has two bus stations with service to Omaha.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • 3501 S California Ave

Where does the bus arrive in Omaha?

Main arrival station: Burlington Trailways Terminal

The Burlington Trailways Station on Jackson St, located in east Omaha, provides bus services for several bus carriers: Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Express Arrow, and Burlington Trailways. The station features an indoor waiting area, as well as vending machines and restrooms. The Burlington Trailways station is only a short walk from several cafes and restaurants if you feel like grabbing something more substantial to get you through your bus journey.

All bus stations in Omaha:

  • Burlington Trailways Terminal

  • Tobin Used Musical Instrument Store

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from Omaha to Chicago?

Search Bus Tickets

Plan your next adventure

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

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.