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Cheap bus tickets from Erie to Chicago

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Erie to Chicago Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Erie to Chicago.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$85.85
Avg. Price
$119.28
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
5
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
16h 22m
Duration
8h 55m

Bus from Erie to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from Erie to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Erie to Chicago usually takes around 16 hours and 20 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance388 mi (624 km)
Shortest duration11h 15m
Cheapest price$50.97
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines1

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What bus companies travel from Erie to Chicago?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Erie to Chicago. Greyhound connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound516h 21m$81.80
  • 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 5 bus trips from Erie to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 16 hours and 21 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $51.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Erie to Chicago

The bus takes an average of 16 hours and 20 minutes to cover the 388 miles from Erie to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 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 Erie 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.

The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 12:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Erie to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Erie to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Erie to Chicago; ticket prices start at $77.00.

City Information

Erie

Erie, PA, US - ERP-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Named for the Great Lake it sits upon, Erie is one of Pennsylvania's most picturesque cities. Erie is about halfway between Buffalo and Cleveland and about two hours north of Pittsburgh.

One of the most popular spots to visit, Presque Isle State Park, is a curved peninsula that extends into Lake Erie and creates 11 miles of beaches. Swim on the beaches, birdwatch near some of its lagoons, or tour the Presque Isle Lighthouse for a full day of lakeside exploring. Then, head up to the Port Erie Bicentennial Tower on the bayfront for epic panoramic views of the park and lake beyond.

Discover the city's buzzing nightlife by visiting downtown Erie, where you'll find numerous restaurants, bars, and clubs. Go big with a concert at Erie Insurance Arena, or watch a horse race at the Presque Isle Downs & Casino.

Barons Bus Lines and Jefferson Lines provide affordable bus transportation from Erie to Cleveland, Columbus, Buffalo, and beyond. The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited runs from Chicago through Erie, onward to Boston and New York City. Erie International Airport has a handful of flights to Charlotte and Chicago, but if you're flying from Erie, you'll find more destinations available from Buffalo or Cleveland's 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 Erie?

Main departure station: Bus Terminal - 208 E Bayfront Pkwy

Most buses depart from the main station in Erie.

All bus stations in Erie:

  • Bus Terminal - 208 E Bayfront Pkwy

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

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Need a return trip from Chicago to Erie?

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