Cheap bus tickets from South Bend to Chicago

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Bus from South Bend to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 9 intercity buses per day from South Bend to Chicago. Traveling by bus from South Bend to Chicago usually takes around 3 hours and 35 minutes, but the fastest Barons Bus Lines bus can make the trip in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Distance: 72 mi (116 km)
Shortest duration: 1h 45m
Cheapest price: CZK 345.89
Trips per day: 6
Most frequent service: Greyhound
Bus lines: 4

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

South Bend to Chicago Bus Schedule

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

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

	Bus	Train
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCZK 675.77Cheaper	Avg. PriceCZK 783.56
Daily Trips	Daily Trips9	Daily Trips3
Duration	Duration3h 35m	Duration2h 2mFaster

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from South Bend to Chicago (Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

5.0

Humberto

November 23, 2025 - Vacation

Tornado Bus

Pros: It was a nice ride Cons: Arriving in time to pick up passengers Tips: The yellow bus stops in the parking lot of Walmart

5.0

Patricia

February 6, 2025 - Vacation

Barons Bus Lines

Tips: Very safe drivers and bus is very clean and good maintenance up kept appeared

There are several bus options that can take you from South Bend to Chicago:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from South Bend to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from South Bend to Chicago cost CZK 520 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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 South Bend to Chicago by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from South Bend to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from CZK 606 to CZK 779. 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 CZK 606.

Average bus ticket prices from South Bend to Chicago by month

Taking the bus from South Bend to Chicago is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only CZK 628. If you're planning to take the bus from South Bend to Chicago during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CZK 779. 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 28 days in advance. This way, you can save up to CZK 261.26 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from South Bend to Chicago?

There are 4 bus lines from South Bend to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 4 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	2h 3m	CZK 541.13
FlixBus US	3	4h 23m	CZK 648.22
Greyhound	4	3h 51m	CZK 616.71
Tornado Bus	1	2h 15m	CZK 2,056.30

Book Barons Bus Lines from South Bend to Chicago from CZK 541.13. There are 2 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from South Bend to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay CZK 541.13 for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Chicago. In South Bend, Barons Bus Lines departs to Chicago from 100 West South St. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St.
An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from South Bend to Chicago takes 2 hours and 3 minutes, while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Chicago in 1 hour and 45 minutes.
On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs CZK 541.13 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 3 trips per day from South Bend to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only CZK 648.22.
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 4 bus trips from South Bend to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from CZK 345.89.
Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from South Bend to Chicago

There are 9 scheduled buses that travel from South Bend to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 6 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 South Bend to Chicago; ticket prices start at CZK 498.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 35 minutes to cover the 72 miles from South Bend to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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)

Distance (km)

116

The first bus leaves at 7:50 AM and the last bus leaves at 9:35 PM. To see the times for all buses from South Bend to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

7:50am

Latest bus

9:35pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from South Bend 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

South Bend

South Bend is quite a small city in Indiana, but this town offers plenty of beautiful landmarks and outdoor activities that will keep you captivated. When visiting South Bend, don't miss the Century Center, which not only hosts some of the best exhibitions in town but also boasts a great view towards the nearby St Joseph River, making it a particularly photogenic spot. The North/South Continental Divide is one particular point of interest, just a bit further down the US 20 bypass. Immerse yourself in nature at Shiojiri Niwa, a Japanese garden with more than twenty different large plants.

Though a small town, South Bend still has plenty of great dining options on its plate. For the best locally sourced burgers and a killer view of the river, check out Oaken Bucket Restaurant. If you can splurge a little bit, LaSalle Grill offers some of the finest dishes in town!

South Bend is a convenient location to reach from anywhere in the Midwest, with several bus stations in the city and Amtrak service stopping at a station close to downtown. In addition, South Bend International Airport is very close to the city and offers flights to domestic and international destinations.

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 South Bend?

Main departure station: 100 W S St

The South Street Station opened in 1998 as a multi-modal transit center. It is located in downtown South Bend across the street from the renovated Coveleski Stadium and Union Station. On average, about 2.2 million people use the station every year. A public transit bus stop located right outside the station connects it to the surrounding areas, including Notre Dame University and the U.P. Mall in downtown South Bend.

All bus stations in South Bend:

100 W S St
100 West South St.
Walmart - Erskine Commons

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Buses arrive in Chicago at 3 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
3501 S California Ave

Need a return trip from Chicago to South Bend?

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