The cheapest and fastest buses from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI
Cheapest price
$63
Average price
$64
Fastest journey
4 h 20 m
Average duration
4 h 20 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
275 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI will cost around $64 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $63.
Of the 2 buses that leave Chicago, IL for Appleton, WI on Wed, Jun 17, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 17 the direct buses cover the 275 km distance in an average of 4 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 20 m .
On Wed, Jun 17 the slowest buses will take 4 h 20 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.
6:05 PM4h20Chicago, IL10:25 PMAppleton, WI$631One-way0 transfers
7:05 PM4h20Chicago, IL11:25 PMAppleton, WI$651One-way0 transfers
7:05 PM4h20Chicago, IL11:25 PMAppleton, WI$651One-way0 transfers
6:05 PM4h20Chicago, IL10:25 PMAppleton, WI$631One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $32. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 39m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $32, and a flight costs an average of $164.
Distance: 170 miles (275 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$49 Average price Cheapest | $335 Average price | $42 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 44m Average total duration 4h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 39m Average total duration Fastest 1h 39m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI:
A bus is $286 (€231) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI costing on average $335 (€271).
Other travel options to Appleton, WI take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 14m.
You'll arrive about -2h -9m sooner (4h 14m by bus vs 3h 5m by car) and save roughly $-7.16 (€-5.80) compared to fuel and tolls ($49 (€40) vs $42 (€34)). 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.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 05:25PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 05:25PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $69 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:05PM | Arrival Time 11:25PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $65 |
Live departures
Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI bus times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI buses for today, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:05 PM Chicago, IL | 4h20 | 10:25 PM Appleton, WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI by bus or flight
Compare 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.
Jun 17
Jun 18
Jun 19
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Why should you book Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of Greyhound to find the best option for your trip from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Greyhound to find the best option for your trip from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI
Buses from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI run on average 2 times per day, taking around 4h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $32 (€26) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 05:31, the last at 17:08. The fastest bus covers the 170 miles (275 km) distance in 4h 20m.
Distance 170 miles (275 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 (€26) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 4h 20m |
First bus 5:31 AM |
Last bus 5:08 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Bus providers: FlixBus, Greyhound from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WIYou can travel by bus between Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI with FlixBus, Greyhound for as low as $32 (€26). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI 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 Appleton, WI, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Hearthstone Historic House Museum, a preserved Victorian mansion showcasing original Thomas Edison light fixtures
- The Building for Kids Children's Museum, an interactive museum offering hands-on exhibits for children
- Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a venue hosting Broadway shows, concerts, and other live performances
- Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, a natural area with trails for hiking and wildlife observation
- History Museum at the Castle, a museum featuring exhibits on local history and the life of magician Harry Houdini.
- Fox River Mall, a large shopping center with a wide range of retail stores and dining options
- High Cliff State Park, offering scenic views, hiking trails, and opportunities for picnicking and camping
- Appleton Beer Factory, a local brewery offering tours and tastings of craft beers
- Trout Museum of Art, showcasing contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events
- Badger Sports Park, featuring mini-golf, go-karts, and other family-friendly activities.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI
Most popular bus connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to Appleton, WI
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