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Cheap bus tickets from Omaha to Chicago

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

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4.8k Reviews

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Omaha to Chicago Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Omaha to Chicago.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
€162.06
Avg. Price
€96.80
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
3
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
17h 2m
Duration
13h 4m

Bus from Omaha to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Omaha to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Omaha to Chicago usually takes around 12 hours and 55 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance435 mi (699 km)
Shortest duration7h 25m
Cheapest price€114.49
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceBurlington Trailways
Bus lines2

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Omaha to Chicago

(Based on 9 ratings and reviews)

4.3

5.0

Jesus

June 7, 2023- Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: Pleased with service and trip was comfortable. Definitely recommended. Cons: Just new applications. Tips: Join the ride!

5.0

Jamelia

January 20, 2020- Visiting family

Windstar Lines

Pros: The ride was smooth and the stops were brief. We had enough time to go to the bathroom but it wasn't too long to prolong our trip to the final destination. Cons: I was too hot. I know I get hot easily so I didn't complain but the heat was blasting and it triggered my asthma a bit. Tips: Just sit back and relax.

3.0

Jacob

August 6, 2019- Solo travel

Windstar Lines

more spacious earlier departure stops in areas with high volume stores

1.0

Matthew

July 30, 2019- Vacation

Burlington Trailways

Pros: It arrived on time. Cons: Maybe use a different type of hand sanitizer. I nearly puked everytime I had to use it.

How much is a bus ticket from Omaha to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from Omaha to Chicago cost €114.49 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Chicago. 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 Omaha to Chicago by travel date

€166€110€55MarMar

Bus tickets from Omaha to Chicago are expected to cost between €117 and €163 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Chicago within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from €118. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

€138€110€83€55€28AMJJASONDJFM
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Omaha to Chicago, mark your calendar for June. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just €116. However, taking the bus from Omaha to Chicago during August is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of €138. The best way to find deals on a trip in August is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

€184€147€110€74€373020100

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 21 days in advance. This way, you can save up to €9.89 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Omaha to Chicago?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Omaha to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Burlington Trailways usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways310h 45m€118.60
Tornado Bus31d 16h 12m€321.85

  • Book Burlington Trailways from Omaha to Chicago from €114. There are 3 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Omaha to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Chicago. In Omaha, Burlington Trailways departs to Chicago from Burlington Trailways Terminal . In Chicago, Burlington Trailways arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Omaha to Chicago takes 10 hours and 45 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Chicago in 7 hours and 25 minutes .

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

  • 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 Omaha to Chicago

The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 55 minutes to cover the 435 miles from Omaha to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 25 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Chicago at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Omaha to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Omaha to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 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 Omaha to Chicago; ticket prices start at €68.05.

City Information

Omaha

Once known as the “Gateway to the West,” Omaha effortlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern growth. To catch an air of the city’s old-town vibe, head towards the Old Market quarter. Featuring brick-paved streets along with horse-drawn carriages, the area is an idyllic time capsule that offers a glimpse into the past. Also situated within the quarter are the Joslyn Art Museum and the Omaha Children’s Museum. Animal lovers might want to check out Omaha’s Doorly Zoo or the Aquarium, which features cute Rockhopper penguins as well as a 70-foot shark tunnel.

Steakhouses dominate the city’s restaurant scene, but there has been a recent boom of modern eateries. If you wish to enjoy these modern foods, Kitchen Table will offer everything you need.

The busiest bus station in the city is the Burlington Trailways Terminal downtown. For trains, the main Amtrak station is located on S 9th St, not too far from the bus station. Omaha is served by Amtrak’s California Zephyr line. The city’s principal airport is the Eppley Airfield, located 3 miles northeast of downtown.

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 Omaha?

Main departure station: Burlington Trailways Terminal

The Burlington Trailways Station on Jackson St, located in east Omaha, provides bus services for several bus carriers: Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Express Arrow, and Burlington Trailways. The station features an indoor waiting area, as well as vending machines and restrooms. The Burlington Trailways station is only a short walk from several cafes and restaurants if you feel like grabbing something more substantial to get you through your bus journey.

All bus stations in Omaha:

  • Burlington Trailways Terminal

  • Tobin Used Musical Instrument Store

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

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • 3501 S California Ave

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