Cheap bus tickets from St Louis to Chicago

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

Bus from St Louis to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 8 intercity buses per day from St Louis to Chicago. Traveling by bus from St Louis to Chicago usually takes around 7 hours and 44 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance
262 mi (422 km)
Shortest duration
5h 40m
Cheapest price
$36.98
Trips per day
4
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Bus lines
2

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!

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

St Louis to Chicago Bus Schedule

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

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

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$64.25CheaperAvg. Price$92.52
Daily Trips8Daily Trips6
Duration7h 44mDuration6h 8mFaster
Wanderu mascot

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 St Louis to Chicago (Based on 11 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

Ajdin

November 16, 2019 - Vacation

Megabus
Cons: Lower back hurts on the chairs

5.0

Rimas

October 1, 2019 - Solo travel

Megabus
Pros: Other Cons: Other Tips: Good

4.0

Michelle

August 19, 2019 - Visiting family

Greyhound
Pros: Did what it said it would do. Glad for the stop break which was sufficient for a healthy break Cons: Chair was in recline mode which is fine, but not able to adjust which made it a little uncomfortable. That is my only winge Tips: Sit back and enjoy

1.0

Carla

July 7, 2019 - Visiting friends

Megabus
Pros: No comment Cons: Running on time, Tips: It’s was the worse trip on the mega I used to enjoy riding the bus but that was my last kids was crying the hold way back to Chicago people rude talking very loud using bad language it was just to much Done ✅

St Louis to Chicago Route Map

Route map from St Louis to Chicago
See more details

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

Bus tickets for a trip from St Louis to Chicago cost $49.79 on average. Tickets cheaper than $49.79 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 St Louis to Chicago by travel date

$75$50$25AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from St Louis to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $42 to $69. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 14, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at $47.

Average bus ticket prices from St Louis to Chicago by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from St Louis to Chicago is usually cheapest in January, when the average ticket price is only $53. If you're planning to take the bus from St Louis to Chicago during July, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $69. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$2001020

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 $31.46 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from St Louis to Chicago?

There are multiple buses that travel from St Louis to Chicago, including FlixBus US, Greyhound. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US66h 43m$58.38
Greyhound211h 35m$86.73
  • 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 6 trips per day from St Louis to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only $58.38.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5
  • 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 2 bus trips from St Louis to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 35 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $44.47.

    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

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from St Louis to Chicago

There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from St Louis to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 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 Louis to Chicago; ticket prices start at $29.

TRIPS PER DAY

8

DIRECT TRIPS

4

The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 44 minutes to cover the 262 miles from St Louis to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 40 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)

262

DISTANCE (KM)

422

The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:30pm. To see the times for all buses from St Louis to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

2:00am

LATEST BUS

11:30pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from St Louis 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

St Louis

St. Louis, MO - STL-0St. Louis, MO - STL-1St. Louis, MO - STL-2

St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.

Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.

Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.

The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.

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 Louis?

Main departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Most buses depart from the main station in St Louis.

All bus stations in St Louis:

  • Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Dan Ryan Bus Station

Buses arrive in Chicago at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station
  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

Need a return trip from Chicago to St Louis?

Search Bus Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.