Cheap bus tickets from Ithaca to Chicago
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
Ithaca to Chicago Bus Schedule
Bus from Ithaca to Chicago: Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from Ithaca to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Ithaca to Chicago usually takes around 30 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest OurBus bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 571 mi (919 km) |
| Shortest duration | 12h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $72.45 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Ithaca to Chicago?
Bus tickets for a trip from Ithaca to Chicago cost $86.95 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.
Monthly avg. prices
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 12 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $93.37 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Ithaca to Chicago?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Ithaca to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 6 | 1d 7h 24m | $166.75 |
| OurBus | 1 | 12h 15m | $225.00 |
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 Ithaca to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
OurBus is an intercity bus company based in New York City. OurBus provides cheap bus tickets to some of the most popular cities in the United States. All OurBus coaches come equipped with a generous roster of amenities, including extra legroom, freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and complimentary bottled water. With cheap bus tickets starting from $225, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from Ithaca to Chicago if you are looking for comfort at a good price.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Ithaca to Chicago
The bus takes an average of 30 hours and 15 minutes to cover the 571 miles from Ithaca to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 12 hours and 15 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Ithaca 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.
The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Ithaca to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Ithaca to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Ithaca to Chicago; ticket prices start at $85.00.
City Information
Ithaca
Blessed with over 150 waterfalls within 10 miles, Ithaca is every outdoors fan’s petit haven. The most notable, and the tallest of the bunch, is the Taughannock Falls. There are hiking trails located close to the falls that will provide an amazing overlook of the falls itself, but do stay away from the water in the gorges. If hiking is not your cup of tea, perhaps a boat cruise on Lake Cayuga, which is the longest of the Finger Lakes, will offer the tranquility and peace of mind you need. For culturally-inclined tourists, don’t hesitate to take a short detour to the State Theatre of Ithaca, which offers top-tier shows and concerts that charm locals and visitors alike.
Ithaca boasts even more restaurants per capita than New York City, and its amazing food scene seems to have a little bit of everything for everyone. For the best burger in town, check out Ithaca Ale House. If Italian food is your thing, the door at Franco’s is wide open for you.
Several bus carriers conduct trips in and out of Ithaca, including Greyhound, OurBus, Flixbus and New York Trailways. Unfortunately, there are currently no Amtrak trains that go to Ithaca. The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport serves as the town’s main airport. It is located three miles northeast of the city center.
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 Ithaca?
Main departure station: Green Street Pharmacy
Ithaca has two bus stations with service to Chicago.
All bus stations in Ithaca:
Green Street Pharmacy
Cornell University
Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?
Main arrival station: Dan Ryan Bus Station
Buses arrive in Chicago at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Chicago:
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
500 S Desplaines St W (btwn Congress & Tilden)
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Chicago to Ithaca?
Search Bus Tickets
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.