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.
Journey Information
There are 7 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Charleston. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Charleston usually takes around 17 hours and 5 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 | $44.97 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Charleston?
Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Charleston cost $72.62 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.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Chicago to Charleston is expected to be between $69 and $84. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is April 29, 2024, when tickets are available for April 29, 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $69.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
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 $62.65 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from Chicago to Charleston?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Chicago to Charleston that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barons Bus Lines | 4 | 16h 15m | $82.00 |
| Greyhound | 6 | 17h 7m | $83.29 |
Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Charleston from $82. There are 4 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 16 hours and 15 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 4 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Charleston.
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 6 bus trips from Chicago to Charleston every day, with the average journey taking around 17 hours and 7 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Charleston usually start from $42.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 17 hours and 5 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Charleston, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 7 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 $109.00.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?
Main departure station: Dan Ryan Bus Station
Buses to Charleston leave from 3 stations in Chicago.
All bus stations in Chicago:
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Where does the bus arrive in Charleston?
Main arrival station: Bus Station - 300 Reynolds St
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Charleston.
All bus stations in Charleston:
Bus Station - 300 Reynolds St
Charleston (KRT Transit Mall)
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Charleston to Chicago?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from Chicago
- Bus from Chicago to Mexico City
$254+
- Bus from Chicago to Durango
$262+
- Bus from Chicago to Zacatecas City
$260+
- Bus from Chicago to San Francisco
$432+
- Bus from Chicago to Davenport
$40+
- Bus from Chicago to Dubuque
$72+
- Bus from Chicago to Galena
$50+
- Bus from Chicago to Springfield
$40+
- Chicago to Bloomington Bus
$56+
Continue by bus from Charleston
Check out these popular routes
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more