Cheap bus tickets from Milwaukee to Chicago

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Bus from Milwaukee to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 114 intercity buses per day from Milwaukee to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Milwaukee to Chicago usually takes around one hour and 47 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in just one hour and 20 minutes.

Distance
81 mi (131 km)
Shortest duration
1h 20m
Cheapest price
$15.98
Trips per day
108
Most frequent service
Coach USA
Bus lines
4

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Milwaukee to Chicago Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 7 daily train trips available from Milwaukee to Chicago.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$37.90Avg. Price$29.77Cheaper
Daily Trips114Daily Trips7
Duration1h 47mDuration1h 28mFaster
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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Milwaukee to Chicago (Based on 7 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Kristina

October 22, 2025 - Solo travel

Coach USA
Pros: Everything Cons: Nothing. Very good

5.0

Jessica

September 28, 2024 - Visiting family

FlixBus US
Pros: The driver was very helpful and she was the best!! Cons: Nothing Tips: Nothing

4.0

Francisco

May 8, 2024 - Vacation

Coach USA
Pros: It was a great trip Cons: Just the arrival Tips: Make a reservation with enough time.

5.0

Paula

April 14, 2022 - Solo travel

Greyhound
Pros: I really like this app so much because the buses are always on time, it has good prices and it is very confortable. Cons: Nothing, everything is excellent Tips: Be on time and buy your ticket with time. You will find good deals

5.0

Jesus

September 14, 2019 - Solo travel

Greyhound
Pros: The seats on this bus were clean and comfortable, the bus arrived on time despite traffic Cons: NA Tips: Would recommend this line for a quick trip between Wisconsin-Chicago

Milwaukee to Chicago Route Map

Route map from Milwaukee to Chicago

How much is a bus ticket from Milwaukee to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from Milwaukee to Chicago cost $36.32 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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 Milwaukee to Chicago by travel date

$105$70$35AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Milwaukee to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $24 to $105. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 14, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at $36.

Average bus ticket prices from Milwaukee to Chicago by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND

Traveling from Milwaukee to Chicago by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $37 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$1001020

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 $2.61 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Milwaukee to Chicago?

There are multiple buses that travel from Milwaukee to Chicago, including Coach USA, FlixBus US, Greyhound, Tornado Bus. Here is what you should know about the 4 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Coach USA961h 41m$38.00
FlixBus US92h 41m$33.92
Greyhound82h 10m$39.00
Tornado Bus12h$105.00
  • Book Coach USA from Milwaukee to Chicago from $38. There are 96 trips per day offered by Coach USA from Milwaukee to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay $38 for a Coach USA ticket to Chicago. In Milwaukee, Coach USA departs to Chicago from Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave and 2 other stations. In Chicago, Coach USA arrives at Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport and one other station.

    An average trip on Coach USA from Milwaukee to Chicago takes 1 hours and 41 minutes, while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Chicago in 1 hours and 20 minutes.

    On weekends, Coach USA offers 96 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $38 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 9 trips per day from Milwaukee to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only $33.92.

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  • 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 Milwaukee to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from $15.98.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu
  • 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 Milwaukee to Chicago

There are 114 scheduled buses that travel from Milwaukee to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 108 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 Milwaukee to Chicago; ticket prices start at $21.

TRIPS PER DAY

114

DIRECT TRIPS

108

The bus takes an average of one hour and 47 minutes to cover the 81 miles from Milwaukee to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 20 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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)

81

DISTANCE (KM)

131

The first bus leaves at 3:25am and the last bus leaves at 8:35pm. To see the times for all buses from Milwaukee to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

3:25am

LATEST BUS

8:35pm

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Chicago. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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.

MOST CROWDED

Saturday

LEAST CROWDED

Monday

City Information

Milwaukee

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Nestling on the banks of the great Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has some of the most scenic views around, making it every photographer’s perfect destination. Boasting 85 miles of scenic waterfront bike lanes, Milwaukee is the perfect spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sunset together with your friends. It is also the home of the Harley Davidson Museum, a vast waterfront gallery that offers 11 permanent exhibitions. The museum features not only bikes but also special items such as a whole engine room, making it a must-visit spot for bike enthusiasts. If you are not interested in bikes, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, which is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, offers many wondrous shots.

Milwaukee’s famous German bratwursts are a must-try for all visitors, and the best place to enjoy this dish is Usinger’s. Other similar establishments include Mader’s and Milwaukee Public Market. For authentic American eats, Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-In offers amazing sloppy-joe burgers.

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the city’s main transportation hub. Visitors can catch both buses and trains at this location. The city is served by two airports. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the southern edge of the city handles commercial flights, while the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport in the northwest handles private flights.

Chicago

CHI-0CHI-1CHI-2

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 Milwaukee?

Main departure station: Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave  - MKEIMS-0Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave  - MKEIMS-1

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the major transportation hub for rail and bus travel in Wisconsin. The station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the Midwest. It acts as a gateway for long-distance travel into the American West and also connects Milwaukee to the surrounding Midwest states via the Hiawatha service. Renovated in 2007, the Intermodal Station now also offers a range of intercity bus services from carriers, including Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. Local bus routes and The Hop streetcar service provide convenient local travel around Milwaukee. Located in the city’s downtown, The Intermodal Station has vast retail spaces, several museums, and pleasant waterways all on its doorstep.

All bus stations in Milwaukee:

  • Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave
  • Mitchell Airport - 5300 S Howell Ave
  • Milwaukee Park & Ride Terminal
  • Agencia De Viajes Mexico

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport

Buses arrive in Chicago at 6 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport
  • Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr
  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
  • Dan Ryan Bus Station
  • 5800 N Cumberland Ave
  • 3501 S California Ave

Need a return trip from Chicago to Milwaukee?

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