- 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
$32
Average price
$40
Fastest journey
2 h 30 m
Average duration
3 h 36 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
199 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Champaign, IL 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 Champaign, IL to Chicago, IL will cost around $40 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 4 buses that leave Champaign, IL for Chicago, IL on Wed, Jul 08, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jul 08 the direct buses cover the 199 km distance in an average of 3 h 36 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 30 m .
On Wed, Jul 08 the slowest buses will take 6 h 35 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
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Champaign, IL to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 40m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $13, and a bus costs an average of $22.
Distance: 123 miles (199 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$40 Average price | $31 Average price Cheapest | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 26m Average total duration 2h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 10m Average total duration Fastest 2h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Champaign, IL to Chicago, IL:
A train is $9 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Champaign, IL to Chicago, IL costing on average $40 (€33).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 56m.
You'll arrive about -1h -55m sooner (2h 56m by bus vs 2h 1m by car) and save roughly $-12.32 (€-10.13) compared to fuel and tolls ($40 (€33) vs $28 (€23)). 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 FlixBus, Greyhound, Peoria Charter Coach Company.
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 FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:10PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $26 |
The table below shows live departures for Champaign, IL to Chicago, IL buses for today, Tuesday, July 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 7:35 PM Champaign, I. T. at Market St. | 2h30 | 10:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, July 8 | |||||
FlixBus | 3:00 AM Champaign, I. T. at Market St. | 2h45 | 5:45 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 12:10 PM Champaign, I. T. at Market St. | 6h35 | 6:45 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 1:30 PM Champaign, I. T. at Market St. | 2h35 | 4:05 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 and bus 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 Champaign, IL to Chicago, IL run on average 4 times per day, taking around 2h 56m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $22 (€18) but you can travel from only $13 (€11) by train.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 21:15. The fastest bus covers the 123 miles (199 km) distance in 2h 30m.
Distance 123 miles (199 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price $22 (€18) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 2h 30m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 9:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 28 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 Champaign, IL 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 Champaign, IL to Chicago, IL buses use the Champaign, I. T. at Market St. to Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Chicago, 95th Red Line Station. Use this guide to compare Champaign, IL 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