Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to Charleston
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Bus from Chicago to Charleston: Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Charleston. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Charleston usually takes around 14 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 400 mi (643 km) |
| Shortest duration | 12h 40m |
| Cheapest price | $64.96 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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Chicago to Charleston Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Chicago to Charleston?
There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Chicago to Charleston.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$99.89Cheaper | Avg. Price$120.71 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration14h 37m | Duration13h 36mFaster |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Chicago to Charleston (Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
There are several bus options that can take you from Chicago to Charleston:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Charleston?
Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Charleston cost $78.07 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 Charleston by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Charleston in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $71 to $107. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 2, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Charleston this week, bus tickets are available starting at $74.
Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to Charleston by month
Taking the bus from Chicago to Charleston is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $81. If you're planning to take the bus from Chicago to Charleston during January, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $107. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
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 12 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $31.72 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Chicago to Charleston?
There are multiple buses that travel from Chicago to Charleston, including Greyhound, Barons Bus Lines. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 3 | 14h 38m | $102.91 |
| Barons Bus Lines | 2 | 14h 28m | $82.00 |
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 3 bus trips from Chicago to Charleston every day, with the average journey taking around 14 hours and 38 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Charleston usually start from $57.46.
Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Charleston from $82. There are 2 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Charleston and you can expect on average to pay $82 for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Charleston. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines departs to Charleston from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St. In Charleston, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Bus Station - 300 Reynolds St.
An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Charleston takes 14 hours and 28 minutes, while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Charleston in 12 hours and 55 minutes.
On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $82 for a weekend trip to Charleston.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Chicago to Charleston
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Charleston every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Charleston; ticket prices start at $78.
TRIPS PER DAY
5
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 37 minutes to cover the 400 miles from Chicago to Charleston. However, the fastest bus only takes 12 hours and 40 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
400
DISTANCE (KM)
643
The first bus leaves at 6:05am and the last bus leaves at 2:45pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Charleston, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
6:05am
LATEST BUS
2:45pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Chicago to Charleston 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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?
Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Buses to Charleston leave from 3 stations in Chicago.
All bus stations in Chicago:
- Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
- Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
- Dan Ryan Bus Station
Where does the bus arrive in Charleston?
Main arrival station: Bus Station - 300 Reynolds St
All buses from Chicago arrive at one main station in Charleston.
All bus stations in Charleston:
- Bus Station - 300 Reynolds St
Need a return trip from Charleston to Chicago?
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