Wanderu Logo
United States flag
  • Canada
€
Log in
background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from Indianapolis to Chicago

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

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.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Indianapolis to Chicago Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from€27.77

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

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Indianapolis to Chicago.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
€44.66
Avg. Price
€52.63
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
34
Daily Trips
3
Duration
Duration
5h 16m
Duration
4h 49m

Bus from Indianapolis to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 36 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Chicago usually takes around 4 hours and 55 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Distance165 mi (265 km)
Shortest duration3h 20m
Cheapest price€24.97
Trips per day27
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines5

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Indianapolis to Chicago

(Based on 54 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Tina

March 2, 2025- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: It was convenient and clean. I arrived on time and the bus was not over crowded. It was perfect! Cons: Maybe indicate during booking that you don't need to check in with the station personnel just check with the driver at the bus, that was the only confusing thing for me as I don't normally travel via tour bus. Tips: Try it, it's not like back in the day!!

5.0

Elizabeth

February 21, 2025- Business

Greyhound

Pros: The bus was on time,. Cons: Nothing to improve, everything was perfect. Tips: I will recommended your bus.

5.0

Jamykle

November 30, 2024- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: Spacious and comfortable fell asleep the whole ride. Cons: The electronic appliances like the charger port hook ups didn’t work. Tips: I recommend the ride.

4.0

Elisabeth

August 25, 2024- Visiting friends

Greyhound

Pros: The bus driver was very helpful and informative. Cons: The staff in the Indianapolis bus station were not very courteous.

4.0

Phoenicia

July 8, 2024- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: Got home fast although the driver was late but it was to be expected. Cons: Updates. Tips: Stay off their phones speaker phone particularly.

Indianapolis to Chicago Route Map

Indianapolis Chicago
See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Indianapolis to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from Indianapolis to Chicago cost €38.82 on average. Tickets cheaper than €38.82 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 Indianapolis to Chicago by travel date

€56€37€19MarApr

If you're planning to travel by bus from Indianapolis to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from €37 to €46. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 3, 2025.

If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at €39.

Average bus ticket prices from Indianapolis to Chicago by month

€69€56€42€28€14AMJJASONDJFM
Traveling from Indianapolis to Chicago 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 €43 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

€69€56€42€28€143020100

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 23 days in advance. This way, you can save up to €21.79 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Indianapolis to Chicago?

There are 5 bus lines from Indianapolis to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 19 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:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway14h 28m€51.84
Barons Bus Lines311h 31m€82.92
Burlington Trailways214h 12m€125.91
FlixBus US124h 2m€42.59
Greyhound194h 27m€42.80

  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Indianapolis to Chicago start at €52. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Indianapolis to Chicago from €69. There are 3 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Indianapolis to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Chicago. In Indianapolis, Barons Bus Lines departs to Chicago from 350 S Illinois St . In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St .

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Indianapolis to Chicago takes 11 hours and 31 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Chicago in 3 hours and 20 minutes .

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Chicago.

  • Book Burlington Trailways from Indianapolis to Chicago from €69. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Indianapolis to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Chicago. In Indianapolis, Burlington Trailways departs to Chicago from 350 S Illinois St . In Chicago, Burlington Trailways arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Indianapolis to Chicago takes 14 hours and 12 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Chicago in 3 hours and 20 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Chicago.

  • 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 12 trips per day from Indianapolis to Chicago, 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 19 bus trips from Indianapolis to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 27 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from €25.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Chicago

An average train ticket from Indianapolis to Chicago costs around $41. The only Amtrak line that covers this route is the Amtrak Cardinal, with a typical travel time of about 5 hours.
The best way to get from Indianapolis to Chicago is by bus. Costing as little as $4.99 per ticket, the bus is both less expensive and usually faster than the train. A flight is technically faster, but with an average cost between $170 and $250 for a nonstop ticket and the additional time required for security, it’s probably not worth it.
Indianapolis to Chicago is a reasonable day-trip if you’re ready for a long day. The fastest bus takes around 3 hours 15 minutes. With over 35 daily buses going in each direction, however, you can arrive in Chicago as early as 6:55 a.m. and leave as late as 11:59 p.m., giving you plenty of time to explore Chicago.

The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 55 minutes to cover the 165 miles from Indianapolis to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 20 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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 Indianapolis to Chicago 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, 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.

The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 36 scheduled buses that travel from Indianapolis to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 27 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 Indianapolis to Chicago; ticket prices start at €25.92.

City Information

Indianapolis

Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.

Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.

Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.

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 Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

Image credit: Panoramio upload bot

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 350 S Illinois St

Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.

All bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • E Washington St

  • Indianapolis Northeast

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Buses arrive in Chicago at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

  • Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Chicago by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from Chicago to Indianapolis?

Search Bus Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More buses from Indianapolis

Continue by bus from Chicago

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.