- 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
$44
Average price
$44
Fastest journey
6 h 40 m
Average duration
6 h 40 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
374 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Birmingham, MI 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 Birmingham, MI to Chicago, IL will cost around $44 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $44.
Of the 1 buses that leave Birmingham, MI for Chicago, IL on Sat, Jul 04, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jul 04 the direct buses cover the 374 km distance in an average of 6 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 40 m .
On Sat, Jul 04 the slowest buses will take 6 h 40 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.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Birmingham, MI to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $38. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 28m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $38, and a flight costs an average of $108.
Distance: 232 miles (374 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$48 Average price Cheapest | $58 Average price | $293 Average price | $71 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 10m Average total duration 6h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 23m Average total duration 5h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 28m Average total duration Fastest 1h 28m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 13m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham, MI to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $9 (€8) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $58 (€47).
A bus is $245 (€202) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Birmingham, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $293 (€242).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 53m.
Bus takes on average 6h 40m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:45AM | Arrival Time 10:25AM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:45AM | Arrival Time 11:25AM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Southeast Michigan SMART | Departure Time 05:56AM | Arrival Time 11:25AM | Duration 5h29 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Southeast Michigan SMART | Departure Time 07:23AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 6h57 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator Southeast Michigan SMART | Departure Time 09:42AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 7h53 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 01:04PM | Arrival Time 07:02PM | Duration 5h58 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $117 |
Operator Southeast Michigan SMART | Departure Time 02:57PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 6h28 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:20PM | Arrival Time 02:25AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:20PM | Arrival Time 03:25AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator Southeast Michigan SMART | Departure Time 09:42PM | Arrival Time 05:25AM | Duration 7h43 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 05:25AM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $79 |
The table below shows live departures for Birmingham, MI to Chicago, IL buses for today, Thursday, July 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
· | 2:20 PM Southfield, MI (Greyhound Terminal) | 8h05 | 9:25 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 11:45 PM Southfield, MI (Greyhound Terminal) | 6h40 | 5:25 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, July 3 | |||||
![]() | 3:45 AM Birmingham, MI | 6h40 | 10:25 AM Chicago, IL | 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 Birmingham, MI to Chicago, IL run on average 2 times per day, taking around 6h 40m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $38 (€31) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 05:25, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 232 miles (374 km) distance in 5h 58m.
Distance 232 miles (374 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $38 (€31) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 5h 58m |
First bus 5:25 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 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 Birmingham, MI 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.

Most Birmingham, MI to Chicago, IL buses use the Southfield, MI (Greyhound Terminal) to Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Chicago, 95th Red Line Station. Use this guide to compare Birmingham, MI and Chicago, IL bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need