Cheap bus tickets from Indianapolis to Chicago
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Indianapolis to Chicago: Journey Information
There are 32 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Chicago usually takes around 5 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 3 hours.
- Distance
- 165 mi (265 km)
- Shortest duration
- 3h
- Cheapest price
- €26.76
- Trips per day
- 25
- Most frequent service
- FlixBus US
- Bus lines
- 5
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Indianapolis to Chicago Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Indianapolis to Chicago (Based on 63 ratings and reviews)
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Indianapolis to Chicago Route Map

There are several bus options that can take you from Indianapolis to Chicago:
- Amtrak Thruway: 2 daily buses from €47
- Barons Bus Lines: 2 daily buses from €77
- FlixBus US: 18 daily buses from €28
- Greyhound: 9 daily buses from €27
- Jefferson Lines: 2 daily buses from €107
How much is a bus ticket from Indianapolis to Chicago?
Bus tickets for a trip from Indianapolis to Chicago cost €46 on average. Tickets cheaper than €46 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
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 €43 to €66. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 26, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at €43.
Average bus ticket prices from Indianapolis to Chicago by month
Taking the bus from Indianapolis to Chicago is usually cheapest in January, when the average ticket price is only €44. If you're planning to take the bus from Indianapolis to Chicago during May, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €52. 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 19 days in advance. This way, you can save up to €19.12 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 18 daily trips, FlixBus US 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 2 | 4h 4m | €47.30 |
| Barons Bus Lines | 2 | 12h 25m | €97.73 |
| FlixBus US | 18 | 3h 51m | €45.22 |
| Greyhound | 9 | 4h 12m | €49.14 |
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 16h 43m | €149.98 |
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 €47.30. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Barons Bus Lines is a ground transportation company that serves various cities across the Midwest. The company follows through on its slogan of “ride like royalty” with a fleet of modern coaches boasting enhanced amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, ADA accessible steps, and spacious bathrooms. With a reputation for skilled drivers, top-notch safety, and stellar customer service, it's no wonder Barons Bus won the 2022 Wanderu Passengers' Choice Award for #1 Business Travelers' Favorite.
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 18 trips per day from Indianapolis to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only €45.22.






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 9 bus trips from Indianapolis to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 12 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from €26.76.






Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity bus company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest bus service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, restrooms, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their bus tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Indianapolis to Chicago with ticket prices as low as €107.10.
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.
There are 32 scheduled buses that travel from Indianapolis to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 25 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 €34.
Trips per day
32
Direct trips
25
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 3 minutes to cover the 165 miles from Indianapolis to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours. 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)
165
Distance (km)
265
The first bus leaves at 2:15 AM and the last bus leaves at 9:55 PM. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
2:15am
Latest bus
9:55pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Indianapolis 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, 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
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?
Main departure station: Indianapolis (W Vermont St)
Indianapolis has two bus stations with service to Chicago.
All bus stations in Indianapolis:
- Indianapolis (W Vermont St)
- 350 S Illinois St
Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?
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
- Union Station
Need a return trip from Chicago to Indianapolis?
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