Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to Milwaukee

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Bus from Chicago to Milwaukee: Journey Information

There are 63 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Milwaukee. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Milwaukee usually takes around 2 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 40 minutes.

Distance: 81 mi (131 km)
Shortest duration: 40m
Cheapest price: CHF 11.68
Trips per day: 63
Most frequent service: Coach USA
Bus lines: 5

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chicago to Milwaukee Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 8 daily train trips available from Chicago to Milwaukee.

	Bus	Train
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCHF 27.64	Avg. PriceCHF 24.86Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips63	Daily Trips8
Duration	Duration2h 4m	Duration1h 23mFaster

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Chicago to Milwaukee (Based on 17 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Jeannette

September 28, 2024 - Visiting friends

Greyhound

Pros: I got there 3 min before departure time and the staffs were amazing, the driving was super nice, we left at exactly 5:55 and got to our destination a whole hour earlier. I was able to get a seat by myself Tips: Use bathroom before hand

5.0

Abdul

July 21, 2024 - Visiting friends

Greyhound

Pros: The scenic route Cons: More leg room maybe Tips: Get to the bus stop early

5.0

Aditya

October 2, 2023 - Visiting friends

Coach USA

Pros: On Time, Safe, Secure, Easy Booking Cons: Bus routes can be extended Tips: Happy Journey

5.0

Patricia

July 24, 2022 - Business

Amtrak Thruway

Cons: Put the pickup location on tickets, that can be confusing as to where to meet the bus.

5.0

Chelsea

November 23, 2019 - Couples trip

Megabus

Pros: Easy trip Cons: Bus on the way back was 1000 degrees

There are several bus options that can take you from Chicago to Milwaukee:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Milwaukee?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Milwaukee cost about CHF 16 when you book at the cheapest time, 15 days ahead. This is an excellent value for the trip. 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 Milwaukee by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Milwaukee in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from CHF 15 to CHF 28. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 7, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Milwaukee this week, bus tickets are available starting at CHF 17.

Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to Milwaukee by month

Traveling from Chicago to Milwaukee by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around CHF 30 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

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 15 days in advance. This way, you can save up to CHF 16.51 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Milwaukee?

There are 5 bus lines from Chicago to Milwaukee available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 32 daily trips, Coach USA usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Coach USA	32	2h 28m	CHF 31.74
Coach USA	22	1h 42m	CHF 29.10
FlixBus US	9	2h 26m	CHF 23.23
Greyhound	11	2h 31m	CHF 23.52
Tornado Bus	1	1h 45m	CHF 88.56

Book Coach USA from Chicago to Milwaukee from CHF 31.74. There are 32 trips per day offered by Coach USA from Chicago to Milwaukee and you can expect on average to pay CHF 31.74 for a Coach USA ticket to Milwaukee. In Chicago, Coach USA departs to Milwaukee from Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility. In Milwaukee, Coach USA arrives at Milwaukee Park & Ride Terminal and 2 other stations.
An average trip on Coach USA from Chicago to Milwaukee takes 2 hours and 28 minutes, while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Milwaukee in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
On weekends, Coach USA offers 28 trips per day. A one way ticket costs CHF 31.74 for a weekend trip to Milwaukee.
Book Coach USA from Chicago to Milwaukee from CHF 11.68. There are 22 trips per day offered by Coach USA from Chicago to Milwaukee and you can expect on average to pay CHF 29.10 for a Coach USA ticket to Milwaukee. In Chicago, Coach USA departs to Milwaukee from Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility. In Milwaukee, Coach USA arrives at Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave and one other station.
An average trip on Coach USA from Chicago to Milwaukee takes 1 hour and 42 minutes, while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Milwaukee in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
On weekends, Coach USA offers 22 trips per day. A one way ticket costs CHF 11.68 for a weekend trip to Milwaukee.
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 9 trips per day from Chicago to Milwaukee, and the average ticket for this route costs only CHF 23.23.
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 11 bus trips from Chicago to Milwaukee every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 31 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Milwaukee usually start from CHF 13.35.
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 Milwaukee

There are 63 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Milwaukee every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 57 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 Milwaukee; ticket prices start at CHF 18.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 4 minutes to cover the 81 miles from Chicago to Milwaukee. However, the fastest bus only takes 40 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.

Distance (mi)

Distance (km)

131

The first bus leaves at 12:30 AM and the last bus leaves at 10:00 PM. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Milwaukee, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

12:30am

Latest bus

10:00pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Chicago to Milwaukee 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

Most crowded

Friday

Least crowded

Tuesday

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.

Milwaukee

Nestling on the banks of the great Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has some of the most scenic views around, making it every photographer’s perfect destination. Boasting 85 miles of scenic waterfront bike lanes, Milwaukee is the perfect spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sunset together with your friends. It is also the home of the Harley Davidson Museum, a vast waterfront gallery that offers 11 permanent exhibitions. The museum features not only bikes but also special items such as a whole engine room, making it a must-visit spot for bike enthusiasts. If you are not interested in bikes, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, which is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, offers many wondrous shots.

Milwaukee’s famous German bratwursts are a must-try for all visitors, and the best place to enjoy this dish is Usinger’s. Other similar establishments include Mader’s and Milwaukee Public Market. For authentic American eats, Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-In offers amazing sloppy-joe burgers.

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the city’s main transportation hub. Visitors can catch both buses and trains at this location. The city is served by two airports. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the southern edge of the city handles commercial flights, while the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport in the northwest handles private flights.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?

Main departure station: Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility

Buses to Milwaukee leave from 5 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Dan Ryan Bus Station
5800 N Cumberland Ave
3501 S California Ave

Where does the bus arrive in Milwaukee?

Main arrival station: Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-0

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-1

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the major transportation hub for rail and bus travel in Wisconsin. The station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the Midwest. It acts as a gateway for long-distance travel into the American West and also connects Milwaukee to the surrounding Midwest states via the Hiawatha service. Renovated in 2007, the Intermodal Station now also offers a range of intercity bus services from carriers, including Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. Local bus routes and The Hop streetcar service provide convenient local travel around Milwaukee. Located in the city’s downtown, The Intermodal Station has vast retail spaces, several museums, and pleasant waterways all on its doorstep.

All bus stations in Milwaukee:

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave
Mitchell Airport - 5300 S Howell Ave
Milwaukee Park & Ride Terminal
Agencia De Viajes Mexico

Need a return trip from Milwaukee to Chicago?

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