Cheap bus tickets from St Paul to Chicago

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Bus from St Paul to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 17 intercity buses per day from St Paul to Chicago. Traveling by bus from St Paul to Chicago usually takes around 11 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 7 hours,

Distance
347 mi (558 km)
Shortest duration
7h
Cheapest price
$50.98
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

Chiku

St Paul to Chicago Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from St Paul to Chicago.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$118.82CheaperAvg. Price$208.64
Daily Trips17Daily Trips6
Duration11h 24mDuration8h 45mFaster
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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from St Paul to Chicago (Based on 8 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

John

December 4, 2025 - Visiting family

FlixBus US
Pros: Comfortable Cons: Nothing Tips: No

5.0

Nathaniel

July 19, 2025 - Visiting family

Greyhound
Pros: Over all it was one of my better trips with Greyhound. Thank you

5.0

Clintine

January 2, 2024 - Visiting friends

Greyhound
Pros: Good bus drivers Cons: Cleaner buses Tips: Buy tickets on line

4.0

Lino

June 30, 2022 - Vacation

Jefferson Lines
Pros: Ir mirando los diferentes lugares por dónde unonpasaa Cons: Los outlets para recargar el teléfono no servían Tips: Recomdado

How much is a bus ticket from St Paul to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from St Paul to Chicago cost $96.75 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 bus ticket prices from St Paul to Chicago by travel date

$135$90$45AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from St Paul to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $92 to $126. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 27, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at $92.

Average bus ticket prices from St Paul to Chicago by month

$125$100$75$50$25JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from St Paul to Chicago is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $80. If you're planning to take the bus from St Paul to Chicago during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $101. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$150$120$90$60$3001020

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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $38.98 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from St Paul to Chicago?

There are multiple buses that travel from St Paul to Chicago, including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, FlixBus US, Tornado Bus. Here is what you should know about the 4 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound99h 32m$100.88
Jefferson Lines615h 15m$169.27
FlixBus US29h 46m$90.61
Tornado Bus148h 28m$375.00
  • 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 St Paul to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 32 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $49.97.

    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 St Paul to Chicago from $168. There are 6 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from St Paul to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay $169.27 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Chicago. In St Paul, Jefferson Lines departs to Chicago from Union Depot. In Chicago, Jefferson Lines arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St.

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from St Paul to Chicago takes 15 hours and 15 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Chicago in 11 hours and 10 minutes.

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 6 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $168 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 2 trips per day from St Paul to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only $90.61.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5
  • 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 St Paul to Chicago

There are 17 scheduled buses that travel from St Paul 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 St Paul to Chicago; ticket prices start at $44.

TRIPS PER DAY

17

DIRECT TRIPS

6

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 24 minutes to cover the 347 miles from St Paul to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 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)

347

DISTANCE (KM)

558

The first bus leaves at 12:50am and the last bus leaves at 10:15pm. To see the times for all buses from St Paul to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

12:50am

LATEST BUS

10:15pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from St Paul 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, 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.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Monday

City Information

St Paul

St. Paul, MN - STP-0St. Paul, MN - STP-1St. Paul, MN - STP-2

Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.

For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.

Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.

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 St Paul?

Main departure station: Union Depot

Union Depot - STPAMT2-0

Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Union Depot has a remarkable history dating back to 1881. It remains the major transport hub of Saint Paul, as well as the designated station for Amtrak service in the Twin Cities. Besides the long-haul Empire Builder train, the station serves Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity buses and connects to local public transit. Within the Union Depot complex, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop, rental car agency, and can even join a public tour to admire the architecture and learn about the station’s storied past.

All bus stations in St Paul:

  • Union Depot
  • 178 Cesar Chavez St

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 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
  • 5800 N Cumberland Ave
  • 3501 S California Ave

Need a return trip from Chicago to St Paul?

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