- Must visit
Art Institute Of Chicago
One of the world’s leading art museums, famous for Impressionist masterpieces, American art, and major special exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$127
Average price
$149
Fastest journey
14 h 20 m
Average duration
15 h 21 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
945 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL will cost around $149 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $127.
Of the 11 buses that leave Atlanta, GA for Chicago, IL on Sat, Jul 11, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jul 11 the direct buses cover the 945 km distance in an average of 15 h 21 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 14 h 20 m .
On Sat, Jul 11 the slowest buses will take 16 h 5 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus

FlixBus+
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FlixBus+
FlixBus

· Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $73. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 48m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $73, and a train costs an average of $217.
Distance: 587 miles (945 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$147 Average price Cheapest | $153 Average price | $425 Average price | $154 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 39m Average total duration 11h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 48m Average total duration Fastest 4h 48m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 32h 40m Average total duration 32h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 39m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $6 (€5) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL costing on average $153 (€126).
A bus is $278 (€228) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL costing on average $425 (€349).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 11h 9m.
Train takes on average 32h 10m.
Tickets start at around $147 (€121) compared to roughly $154 (€126) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $7 (€6). The journey takes 11h 9m versus 10h 39m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Greyhound, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:15AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 16h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $99 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:50AM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 16h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $94 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:05AM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 16h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $105 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 14h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $96 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 14h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $104 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 15h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:20PM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 16h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $130 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 17h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 16h16 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $104 |
The table below shows live departures for Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL buses for today, Friday, July 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:15 AM Atlanta, Bus Station | 16h00 | 3:15 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:50 AM Atlanta, Bus Station | 16h20 | 8:10 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
· | 5:05 AM Atlanta, Bus Station | 16h05 | 8:10 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 5:05 PM Atlanta, Bus Station | 16h20 | 8:25 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:05 PM Atlanta, Bus Station | 15h55 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:20 PM Atlanta, Bus Station | 16h10 | 11:30 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:40 PM Atlanta, Bus Station | 17h05 | 1:45 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:40 PM Atlanta, Bus Station | 17h30 | 2:10 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL run on average 10 times per day, taking around 11h 9m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $73 (€60) but you can travel from only $35 (€29) by flight.
There are 9 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 587 miles (945 km) distance in 14h 25m.
Distance 587 miles (945 km) |
Average bus duration 11h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price $73 (€60) |
Buses per day 10 |
Direct buses 9 |
Fastest bus 14h 25m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Chicago — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chicago trip today.
One of the world’s leading art museums, famous for Impressionist masterpieces, American art, and major special exhibitions.
A top natural history museum known for Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, fossils, and broad science collections.
A large hands-on science museum with a German submarine, space exhibits, and interactive engineering displays.
Chicago’s signature downtown park, home to Cloud Gate, gardens, public art, and major seasonal events.
The city’s best-known avenue for architecture, shopping, and bustling urban energy along North Michigan Avenue.
A popular pedestrian waterfront with excellent skyline views, bridges, and easy access to boat architecture tours.
A thick, buttery crust pizza baked in a deep pan with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. It is one of Chicago’s most iconic and debated local specialties.
An all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with yellow mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. It is a classic local street food served without ketchup.
Thinly sliced seasoned roast beef piled onto an Italian roll, often dipped in its juices and topped with sweet peppers or giardiniera. It is a defining working-class Chicago sandwich.
Chicago’s world-famous fine-dining restaurant known for highly creative tasting menus and theatrical presentation. It offers one of the city’s most celebrated upscale dining experiences.
A beloved casual institution best known for breaded steak sandwiches and hearty Italian-American comfort food. It has a loyal local following and an old-school atmosphere.
A legendary Chicago chain celebrated for buttery-crust deep-dish pizza and a classic casual atmosphere. One of the city’s best-known places to try this signature dish.
Chicago is pricey for hotels and dining, but budget eats and public transit help keep daily costs manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 15-20% for taxis and rideshares; USD 1-2 per drink at bars; USD 1-2 per bag for bellhops; USD 2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Chicago, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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