background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to Houston

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 Houston Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from€28.97

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

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Chicago to Houston.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
€150.96
Avg. Price
€198.09
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
25
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
1d 9h 6m
Duration
1d 6h 0m

Bus from Chicago to Houston: Journey Information

There are 26 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Houston. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Houston usually takes around 33 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Tornado Bus bus can make the trip in 20 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance942 mi (1516 km)
Shortest duration20h 45m
Cheapest price€95.06
Trips per day3
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines3

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 Houston

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Stanley

March 23, 2024- Solo travel

Tornado Bus

every thing

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Houston?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Houston cost €140.49 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Houston. 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 Houston by travel date

€174€116€58FebFeb

If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Houston in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from €126 to €164. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on February 18, 2025.

If you’re looking to travel to Houston this week, bus tickets are available starting at €126.

Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to Houston by month

€241€193€145€97€48MAMJJASONDJF
Taking the bus from Chicago to Houston is usually cheapest in June, when the average ticket price is only €145. If you're planning to take the bus from Chicago to Houston during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €226. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

€338€270€203€135€683020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 29 days in advance to save €112.01 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Houston?

There are 3 bus lines from Chicago to Houston available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 22 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
FlixBus US41d 16h 26m€198.94
Greyhound221d 9h 5m€161.89
Tornado Bus122h 54m€231.74
  • 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 4 trips per day from Chicago to Houston, 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 22 bus trips from Chicago to Houston every day, with the average journey taking around 33 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Houston usually start from €95.

  • 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 Houston

The bus takes an average of 33 hours and 11 minutes to cover the 942 miles from Chicago to Houston. However, the fastest bus only takes 20 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Chicago to Houston 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, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

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 Houston, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 26 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Houston every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 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 Houston; ticket prices start at €152.56.

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.

Houston

Houston, TX - HOU-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Houston, TX - HOU-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Houston, TX - HOU-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Houston, Texas is one of the most populous cities and among the most expansive cities in the U.S. As a result, Houston has become the leading commercial center in the Southern United States. Astronomy aficionados recognize Houston as the city where NASA’s Mission Control Center is located, and music fans know Houston as the birthplace of Queen B herself, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

Even though Houston has a relatively small downtown area, it is packed with exciting things you can do while you’re in town. If you’re in the mood for a cultural outing, head to the Theater District where you are sure to find a play or a music performance you’d enjoy, or check out the Museum District that boasts more than 20 different museums and galleries. Since Houston is the most racially and ethnically diverse city in the country, its restaurant scene is one of a kind offering a rich variety of cuisines from all over the world. The many experiences available in Houston make it one of Texas' best vacation destinations.

As one of the main metropolitan cities in the U.S., Houston is very well connected to the rest of the country and the world. The main bus and train stations are both located right in the heart of downtown making it easy to get to your final destination by public transit or car. There are also several airports within the city’s vicinity that provide a good variety of options depending on where you’re flying to or from.

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 Houston leave from 4 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • 3501 S California Ave

Where does the bus arrive in Houston?

Bus Terminal - 2121 Main St -{"city":"Houston","country":"US","postal":"77002","state":"TX","street1":"2121 Main St"} - HOUGLI-0

Image credit: WhispertoMe

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Greyhound Terminal Bus Station

The Bus Terminal at 2121 Main Street is centrally located within downtown Houston and serves as a hub for bus service from Greyhound, Jefferson Lines and Tornado Bus. From Houston’s bus terminal, you might connect to other cities in Texas such as Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, or further afield to Los Angeles and New York. The station is open 24 hours a day, with restrooms, seating, and several food options available onsite. Within a few minutes’ walk from the bus terminal, you’ll find parking, rental car agencies, gas stations, fast food, and a Light Rail station to easily access the rest of Houston.

All bus stations in Houston:

  • Greyhound Terminal Bus Station

  • Downtown - 605 Gray St

  • 2525 Southwest Fwy (Timewise/Shell gas station lot)

  • 6590 Southwest Hwy

  • Love's

  • Tornado Bus Station - Airport

  • Tornado Bus Station - Lockwood

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from Houston 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.