Cheap bus tickets from Normal to Chicago

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Bus from Normal to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from Normal to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Normal to Chicago usually takes around 7 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance
118 mi (190 km)
Shortest duration
5h 35m
Cheapest price
$28.48
Trips per day
1
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
2

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Normal to Chicago Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Normal to Chicago.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$63.96Avg. Price$40.47Cheaper
Daily Trips5Daily Trips5
Duration7h 40mDuration2h 28mFaster
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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Normal to Chicago

5.0

Lisa

January 7, 2020 - Solo travel

Peoria Charter
Pros: Timely departure and early arrival at airport Cons: Nothing Tips: None

3.0

Maria

June 19, 2019 - Visiting family

Peoria Charter
Pros: It got me from A to B without having to drive myself Tips: Bring a blanket or a cover to not be cold and have to complain endlessly if the driver needs to lower the air conditioning to get the windows to defrost
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How much is a bus ticket from Normal to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from Normal to Chicago cost $51.69 on average. Tickets cheaper than $51.69 are an excellent bargain. 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 Normal to Chicago by travel date

$90$60$30OctOct

If you're planning to travel by bus from Normal to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $34 to $81. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 21, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at $57.

Average bus ticket prices from Normal to Chicago by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Normal to Chicago is usually cheapest in November, when the average ticket price is only $47. If you're planning to take the bus from Normal to Chicago during September, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $60. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$1501020

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 6 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $21.59 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Normal to Chicago?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Normal to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 4 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound46h 46m$47.93
Jefferson Lines113h 15m$163.35
  • 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 4 bus trips from Normal to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 46 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $28.48.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu
  • Book Jefferson Lines from Normal to Chicago from $140. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Normal to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay $163.35 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Chicago. In Normal, Jefferson Lines departs to Chicago from Bloomington. In Chicago, Jefferson Lines arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St.

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Normal to Chicago takes 13 hours and 15 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Chicago in 13 hours and 15 minutes.

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay $140 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Chicago.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Normal to Chicago

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Normal to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Normal to Chicago; ticket prices start at $15.

Trips per day

5

Direct trips

1

The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 40 minutes to cover the 118 miles from Normal to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 35 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)

118

Distance (km)

190

The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 2:30pm. To see the times for all buses from Normal to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

9:00am

Latest bus

2:30pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Normal to Chicago 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.

Most crowded

Friday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Normal

Normal is a town in North Bloomington, adjacent to Bloomington. The town got its unique name in 1865 from the Illinois State Normal University, a normal school that is a teacher-training institution. Normal features the Children's Discovery Museum, Illinois State University Planetarium and Carden Park for children, and the David Davis Mansion and McLean County Museum of History for history buffs. If you're interested in exploring the outdoors, you can take a walk on the Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary or Constitution Trail or play on the Ironwood Golf Course. Sports lovers can also check out the Redbird Arena, where basketball games are held.

Normal features a vibrant entertainment scene with different breweries and beer halls. You can participate in the Illinois Shakespeare Festival or watch shows at the Normal Theater. Normal also has a vineyard and wine bars, with most activities available in Uptown Normal, the micro-urban city center. The Uptown area has different entertainment venues, dining, and retail establishments.

You can visit Normal, Illinois, by train or bus. The city is accessible from many other cities by train, including Amtrak, Amtrak Texas Eagle, and Amtrak Lincoln Service. As for the bus lines, you can access the city from over 80 other cities onboard buses from Jefferson Lines, Amtrak Thruway, and Burlington Trailways.

Chicago

CHI-0CHI-1CHI-2

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 Normal?

Main departure station: Burlington Trailways

Normal has two bus stations with service to Chicago.

All bus stations in Normal:

  • Burlington Trailways
  • Bloomington

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

Need a return trip from Chicago to Normal?

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