Cheap bus tickets from Philadelphia to Chicago

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

Bus from Philadelphia to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 13 intercity buses per day from Philadelphia to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Philadelphia to Chicago usually takes around 20 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 17 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance: 664 mi (1068 km)
Shortest duration: 17h 25m
Cheapest price: NOK 917.33
Trips per day: 13
Most frequent service: Greyhound
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!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Philadelphia to Chicago Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Philadelphia to Chicago (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.0

3.0

Gloria

July 16, 2019 - Business

Greyhound

Pros: The 2nd bus driver was very nice and helpful! He was very stern & direct about others speaking loudly on the phone, which is nice because no one wants to hear others’ vulgar conversations. Cons: Less smoking breaks in between driving. Tips: A passenger brought a big black plastic garbage bag as luggage and was not allowed to put it underneath the bus just an FYI.

There are several bus options that can take you from Philadelphia to Chicago:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Philadelphia to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from Philadelphia to Chicago cost about NOK 1,254 when you book at the cheapest time, 11 days ahead. 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 Philadelphia to Chicago by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Philadelphia to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from NOK 955 to NOK 2,346. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 8, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at NOK 1,050.

Average bus ticket prices from Philadelphia to Chicago by month

Taking the bus from Philadelphia to Chicago is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only NOK 1,258. If you're planning to take the bus from Philadelphia to Chicago during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 1,589. 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 11 days in advance. This way, you can save up to NOK 851.39 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Philadelphia to Chicago?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Philadelphia to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 10 scheduled trips per day.

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
FlixBus US	3	22h 18m	NOK 1,644.99
Greyhound	10	19h 50m	NOK 1,688.21

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 3 trips per day from Philadelphia to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only NOK 1,644.99.
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 10 bus trips from Philadelphia to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 19 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from NOK 898.41.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Philadelphia to Chicago

Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s largest city, with an area of 141.6 square miles (367 square kilometers). Its city population is 1,584,138 and metro population is 6,096,120.

The shortest advertised travel duration by bus from Philadelphia to Chicago is 19 hours by Greyhound. Greyhound offers 10 trips per day on this route.

The earliest bus from Philadelphia to Chicago departs at 12:00 am on Greyhound. The latest departs at 9:00 pm.

There are 13 scheduled buses that travel from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to Chicago; ticket prices start at NOK 1,060.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 20 hours and 34 minutes to cover the 664 miles from Philadelphia to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 17 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.

Distance (mi)

664

Distance (km)

1068

The first bus leaves at 2:15 AM and the last bus leaves at 11:55 PM. To see the times for all buses from Philadelphia to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

2:15am

Latest bus

11:55pm

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, 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

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Philadelphia

We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?

Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Head to Reading Terminal Market to fuel up for a night hitting the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line South Street.

Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.

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 Philadelphia?

Main departure station: Philadelphia (Bus Terminal)

Philadelphia has two bus stations with service to Chicago.

All bus stations in Philadelphia:

Philadelphia (Bus Terminal)
Philadelphia Bus Terminal

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

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 Philadelphia?

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.