Cheap bus tickets from Columbus to Chicago
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Columbus to Chicago: Journey Information
There are 21 intercity buses per day from Columbus to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Columbus to Chicago usually takes around 9 hours and 50 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 10 minutes.
- Distance
- 276 mi (444 km)
- Shortest duration
- 7h 10m
- Cheapest price
- NOK 417.81
- Trips per day
- 7
- Most frequent service
- Greyhound
- Bus lines
- 3
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:
Columbus to Chicago Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Columbus to Chicago (Based on 27 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
3.0
There are several bus options that can take you from Columbus to Chicago:
- Barons Bus Lines: 8 daily buses from NOK 523
- FlixBus US: 5 daily buses from NOK 418
- Greyhound: 8 daily buses from NOK 470
How much is a bus ticket from Columbus to Chicago?
Bus tickets for a trip from Columbus to Chicago cost NOK 498.47 on average. Tickets cheaper than NOK 498.47 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 Columbus to Chicago by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Columbus to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from NOK 523 to NOK 675. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 5, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at NOK 523.
Average bus ticket prices from Columbus to Chicago by month
Taking the bus from Columbus to Chicago is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only NOK 570. If you're planning to take the bus from Columbus to Chicago during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 703. 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 26 days in advance. This way, you can save up to NOK 301.06 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Columbus to Chicago?
There are 3 bus lines from Columbus to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 8 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 | 8 | 9h 5m | NOK 571.32 |
| FlixBus US | 5 | 8h 52m | NOK 647.08 |
| Greyhound | 8 | 10h 45m | NOK 791.62 |
Book Barons Bus Lines from Columbus to Chicago from NOK 522.50. There are 8 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Columbus to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay NOK 571.32 for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Chicago. In Columbus, Barons Bus Lines departs to Chicago from Columbus (E Mound St) and 2 other stations. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St.
An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Columbus to Chicago takes 9 hours and 5 minutes, while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Chicago in 7 hours and 15 minutes.
On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 8 trips per day. A one way ticket costs NOK 522.50 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 5 trips per day from Columbus to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only NOK 647.08.






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 8 bus trips from Columbus to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 10 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from NOK 469.87.






Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Columbus to Chicago
There are 21 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 7 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Trips per day
21
Direct trips
7
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 50 minutes to cover the 276 miles from Columbus to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 10 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)
276
Distance (km)
444
The first bus leaves at 4:15am and the last bus leaves at 11:50pm. To see the times for all buses from Columbus to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
4:15am
Latest bus
11:50pm
With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
Most crowded
Wednesday
Least crowded
Saturday
City Information
Columbus



Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.
As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.
Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.
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 Columbus?
Main departure station: Columbus (E Mound St)
Buses to Chicago leave from 5 stations in Columbus.
All bus stations in Columbus:
- Columbus (E Mound St)
- 100 E Rich St
- Columbus (E Mound St)
- 845 N Wilson Rd
- Columbus (Airport)
Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?
Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

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
- Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Need a return trip from Chicago to Columbus?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from Columbus
- Columbus to Philadelphia BusNOK 561+
- Columbus to Louisville BusNOK 466+
- Columbus to Cincinnati BusNOK 209+
- Columbus to Parkersburg BusNOK 618+
- Columbus to Ann Arbor BusNOK 504+
- Columbus to Indianapolis BusNOK 504+
- Columbus to Mt Gilead BusNOK 48+
- Columbus to Detroit BusNOK 409+
- Columbus, OH to Dallas, TX BusNOK 1,055+
- Columbus to Buffalo BusNOK 456+
- Columbus to Toronto BusNOK 741+
- Columbus, OH to Newark, OH BusNOK 48+
- Columbus to Orlando BusNOK 1,083+
- Columbus to Cleveland BusNOK 276+
- Columbus to Fort Wayne BusNOK 532+
- Columbus, OH to Bloomington, IN BusNOK 333+
- Columbus, OH to Athens, OH BusNOK 95+
- Columbus to New York BusNOK 846+
Continue by bus from Chicago
- Chicago to St Louis BusNOK 494+
- Chicago to Madison BusNOK 380+
- Chicago to Minneapolis BusNOK 998+
- Chicago to Milwaukee BusNOK 219+
- Chicago to Cleveland BusNOK 532+
- Chicago to Ann Arbor BusNOK 342+
- Chicago, IL to Bloomington, IN BusNOK 361+
- Chicago to Detroit BusNOK 409+
- Chicago to Lafayette BusNOK 257+
- Chicago to Atlanta BusNOK 741+
- Chicago to New York BusNOK 1,064+
- Chicago to Indianapolis BusNOK 418+
- Chicago to Champaign BusNOK 437+
- Chicago to Cincinnati BusNOK 599+
- Chicago to Iowa City BusNOK 380+
- Chicago to Columbus BusNOK 589+
- Chicago to South Bend BusNOK 228+
- Chicago to Grand Rapids BusNOK 1,520+
Check out these popular routes
- New York to Philadelphia BusNOK 276+
- Calgary to Edmonton BusNOK 257+
- Toronto to Ottawa BusNOK 323+
- Baltimore to New York BusNOK 304+
- Philadelphia to Brooklyn Bus
- Washington DC to Brooklyn Bus
- Philadelphia to New York BusNOK 266+
- New York to Baltimore BusNOK 314+
- New York to Montreal BusNOK 798+
- New York, NY to Washington DC BusNOK 333+
- Boston to New York BusNOK 352+
- New York to Boston BusNOK 380+
- Edmonton to Calgary BusNOK 257+
- Brooklyn, NY to Washington DC Bus
- Vancouver to Seattle BusNOK 428+
- Washington DC to New York, NY BusNOK 314+
- Seattle to Vancouver BusNOK 399+
- Providence to New York BusNOK 323+

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.




