background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Chicago to Champaign bus

chiku-mobile
Available on iOS & Android
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.

Chicago - Champaign Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00

Journey Information

There are 6 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Champaign. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Champaign usually takes around 4 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours,

Distance126 mi (203 km)
Shortest duration2h 0m
Cheapest price$18.99
Trips per day4
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Chicago to Champaign

(Based on 15 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Bangyan

April 6, 2022- Visiting friends

Greyhound

Pros: All good. Cons: All good.

5.0

Holly

December 14, 2021- Business

Greyhound

Pros: I wish I had gotten the drivers name- She was OUTSTANDING and should be recognized for integrity and professionalism. This was for Dec 13 at 6:10 pm from Chicago, #1163 My destination was Champaign, Illinois but she was driving to St Louis. The driver was very appropriately strict about safety precautions AND courtesy to other passengers regarding noise and phone use. She demonstrated incredible leadership skills. It was also a very comfortable ride. I was so impressed with her. I hope she is my driver agian as I will be using this return bus more often. Cons: Larger and/or more obvious sinage at station regarding departure times and gates. Tips: Arrive early- the bus leaves promplty.

5.0

Darryl

May 10, 2020- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: I liked the space and the comfortable seating on the greyhound. Cons: Everything is fine. Tips: Practice social distancing.

5.0

Jessamine

November 2, 2019- Visiting family

Pros: Even though the bus left a couple minutes late, we arrived to my destination a couple minutes early! Cons: From the ticket, it wasn't very clear where the bus departed from. I wandered around Midway Airport for a while, asking employees where to go, and it took a long time and a lot of stress before I finally found the bus. Tips: The bus departs from Midway Airport in the lower level, outside of gate 6.

5.0

Gaspard

October 11, 2019- Solo travel

Pros: departure from Terminal 5. Cons: Electricity was supposed to be available, but I did not see any USB port.

Chicago to Champaign Route Map

Chicago Champaign

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Champaign?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Champaign cost $36.13 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 prices by travel date

$120$80$40MarMar

If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Champaign in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $32 to $107. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 3, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Champaign this week, bus tickets are available starting at $39.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10AMJJASONDJFM
Taking the bus from Chicago to Champaign is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $26. If you're planning to take the bus from Chicago to Champaign during May, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $50. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

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 23 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $12.81 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Champaign?

There are 4 bus lines from Chicago to Champaign available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 3 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:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways19h 10m$110.60
FlixBus US22h 13m$25.01
Greyhound34h 5m$32.85
Tornado Bus31d 17h 1m$270.00
  • Book Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Champaign from $109. Typically there is one Burlington Trailways schedule per day from Chicago to Champaign and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Champaign. In Chicago, Burlington Trailways departs to Champaign from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In Champaign, Burlington Trailways arrives at Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Champaign takes 9 hours and 10 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Champaign in 2 hours and 0 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Champaign.

  • 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 2 trips per day from Chicago to Champaign, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • 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 3 bus trips from Chicago to Champaign every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Champaign usually start from $19.

  • 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

The fastest bus from Chicago to Champaign is through M&M Shuttle, which has an average travel time of just 2 hours. However, there is only 1 M&M shuttle per day, so if you miss out on that option you might consider Tornado Bus, which takes 2 hours 15 minutes.
There are 3 train lines that travel from Chicago to Champaign: Amtrak City of New Orleans, Amtrak Illini Service and Amtrak Saluki. Train tickets for this route average just $16, and have an average travel time of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
If you take one of the buses that gets to Champaign in less than 2 hours 30 minutes, then Chicago to Champaign can be a good day-trip. Typically you can find a bus that departs for Champaign around 7:00 a.m., with the latest return bus departing between 11:30 and midnight. Such a trip would give you a full 14 hours in Champaign.

The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 126 miles from Chicago to Champaign. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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.

Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Champaign, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Champaign every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 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 Chicago to Champaign; ticket prices start at $9.00.

City Information

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.

Champaign

Champaign, IL - CHM-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Champaign, IL - CHM-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Champaign, IL - CHM-2

Image credit: Pixabay

A significant hub for the Silicone Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.

As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colorful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.

The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Buses to Champaign leave from 3 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • 3501 S California

Where does the bus arrive in Champaign?

Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave  - CHMAMT-0

Image credit: Beyond My Ken

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport center opened in 1999, and now provides bus and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, and local mass transit. Make sure to wait in the correct station building; Champaign’s old train station, dating to 1898, is just across the street. The Illinois Terminal offers short-term parking, fast food, and even meeting spaces and banquet halls. Thanks to the station’s convenient location, some of the best restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign are just a short walk away.

All bus stations in Champaign:

  • Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

  • 3604 N Mattis Ave

  • Pilot Travel center

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Champaign by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Champaign to Chicago?

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.

Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android