5.0
Pros: Prompt arrival. Cons: Everything was good. Tips: Blanket.
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There are 5 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Charleston. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Charleston usually takes around 14 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 400 mi (643 km) |
| Shortest duration | 12h 45m |
| Cheapest price | PLN 266.11 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |

Average score for buses from Chicago to Charleston
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Prompt arrival. Cons: Everything was good. Tips: Blanket.
Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Charleston cost PLN 286.62 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.
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 20 days in advance to save PLN 107.80 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
There are 3 bus lines from Chicago to Charleston available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 3 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:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barons Bus Lines | 2 | 14h 30m | PLN 301.16 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 22h 42m | PLN 636.10 |
| Greyhound | 3 | 14h 32m | PLN 378.66 |
Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Charleston from PLN 295. There are 2 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Charleston and you can expect on average to pay 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 30 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Charleston in 12 hours and 45 minutes .
On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Charleston.
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 2 trips per day from Chicago to Charleston, 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 3 bus trips from Chicago to Charleston every day, with the average journey taking around 14 hours and 32 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Charleston usually start from PLN 266.
The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 400 miles from Chicago to Charleston. However, the fastest bus only takes 12 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.
Because many passengers travel from Chicago to Charleston at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Charleston, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
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 PLN 359.81.



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: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionBuses to Charleston 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 Charleston.
Bus Station - 300 Reynolds 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.