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.
Journey Information
There are 10 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Erie. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Erie usually takes around 16 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 388 mi (624 km) |
| Shortest duration | 11h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $39.34 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |
What bus companies travel from Chicago to Erie?
There are 3 bus lines from Chicago to Erie available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 9 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:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barons Bus Lines | 2 | 14h 36m | $110.27 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 14h 5m | $75.97 |
| Greyhound | 9 | 16h 42m | $73.87 |
Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Erie from $103. There are 2 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Erie and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Erie. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines departs to Erie from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In Erie, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Bus Terminal - 208 E Bayfront Pkwy .
An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Erie takes 14 hours and 36 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Erie in 11 hours and 10 minutes .
On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Erie.
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 1 trips per day from Chicago to Erie, 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 9 bus trips from Chicago to Erie every day, with the average journey taking around 16 hours and 42 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Erie usually start from $38.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 16 hours and 40 minutes to cover the 388 miles from Chicago to Erie. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 hours and 10 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.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Erie. 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, 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.
The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Erie, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 10 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Erie 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 Chicago to Erie; ticket prices start at $54.00.
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.
Erie
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Buses to Erie leave from 3 stations in Chicago.
All bus stations in Chicago:
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Where does the bus arrive in Erie?
Main arrival station: Bus Terminal - 208 E Bayfront Pkwy
All buses from Chicago arrive at one main station in Erie.
All bus stations in Erie:
Bus Terminal - 208 E Bayfront Pkwy
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Erie to Chicago?
Search Bus Tickets
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