Travel from Chicago to Saint Louis
There are a variety of ways to get from Chicago to St. Louis other than having to drive there yourself. Primary methods of travel include riding a bus, taking a train or flying. Deciding between these options will depend on what you value most between price, speed and comfort. Here is what you need to know:
Fastest time
5h 20m
Cheapest ticket
$25
Daily trips
5
Traveling by Amtrak train is the most comfortable way to get from Chicago to St. Louis. Fares start at about US$25, with 5 trains departing each day.
This route is serviced by Amtrak Lincoln Service and Amtrak Texas Eagle, though the Lincoln service tends to be just a little bit faster and cheaper. Both offer comfortable seats with extra legroom.
Fastest time
5h 10m
Cheapest ticket
$1
Daily trips
14
With ticket prices as low as US$1, and 14 trips departing at different times throughout the day, traveling by bus between Chicago and St. Louis is a solid, budget-friendly option.
The bus carriers servicing this route — Megabus and Greyhound — offer amenities like power outlets, on-board bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. Greyhound also has a direct bus to St. Louis’s Lambert International Airport.
Fastest time
1h 13m
Cheapest ticket
$76
Daily trips
249
With a typical travel time of about 1 hour 30 minutes for nonstop flights, taking a plane is definitely the fastest way to get from Chicago to St. Louis.
O’Hare International Airport suggests arriving 2 hours prior to your scheduled flight, so make sure you plan accordingly. ORD is easily accessible from downtown Chicago via the CTA’s Blue Line, though the commute takes about 45 minutes from The Loop.
Fastest time
5h 20m
Cheapest ticket
$25
Daily trips
5
Traveling by Amtrak train is the most comfortable way to get from Chicago to St. Louis. Fares start at about US$25, with 5 trains departing each day.
This route is serviced by Amtrak Lincoln Service and Amtrak Texas Eagle, though the Lincoln service tends to be just a little bit faster and cheaper. Both offer comfortable seats with extra legroom.
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