- Must visit
Columbus Museum of Art
Major art museum known for American and European modern art, rotating exhibitions, and a strong local reputation. A core cultural stop in Columbus.
Cheapest price
$63
Average price
$68
Fastest journey
7 h 20 m
Average duration
8 h 21 m
Buses per day
10
Distance
444 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to Columbus, OH 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 Columbus, OH will cost around $68 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $63.
Of the 10 buses that leave Chicago, IL for Columbus, OH on Tue, May 26, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct buses cover the 444 km distance in an average of 8 h 21 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 20 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest buses will take 9 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.
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Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Columbus, OH among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $45. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 27m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $45, and a flight costs an average of $52.
Distance: 275 miles (444 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$73 Average price Cheapest | $332 Average price | $78 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 22m Average total duration 7h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 27m Average total duration Fastest 1h 27m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Columbus, OH:
A bus is $259 (€209) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Columbus, OH costing on average $332 (€268).
Other travel options to Columbus, OH take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 52m.
Tickets start at around $73 (€59) compared to roughly $78 (€63) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $5 (€4). The journey takes 7h 52m versus 5h 14m 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 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 12:00AM | Arrival Time 10:25AM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:15AM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:15AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:50AM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 14h05 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 9h10 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:15AM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $73 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 10h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:15PM | Arrival Time 03:40AM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:45PM | Arrival Time 04:35AM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $93 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:50PM | Arrival Time 01:55PM | Duration 14h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 09:25AM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $101 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:10PM | Arrival Time 01:55PM | Duration 13h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $66 |
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Columbus, OH buses for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 7:00 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 9h10 | 5:10 PM Columbus, E Town St (Bus Station), OH | 0 transfersDirect | |
· | 10:15 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 9h50 | 9:05 PM Columbus, E Mound St (Akili Christian High School), OH | 1 transfer | |
· + FlixBus | 10:15 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 8h35 | 7:50 PM Columbus, E Town St (Bus Station), OH | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+![]() | 10:30 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 9h35 | 9:05 PM Columbus, E Mound St (Akili Christian High School), OH | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus | 11:30 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 7h20 | 7:50 PM Columbus, E Town St (Bus Station), OH | 0 transfersDirect | |
· | 2:45 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 8h50 | 12:35 AM Columbus, E Mound St (Akili Christian High School), OH | 1 transfer | |
· | 6:00 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 10h15 | 5:15 AM Columbus, E Mound St (Akili Christian High School), OH | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 7:15 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 7h25 | 3:40 AM Columbus, E Town St (Bus Station), OH | 0 transfersDirect | |
· | 10:50 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 14h05 | 1:55 PM Columbus, E Mound St (Akili Christian High School), OH | 1 transfer | |
· | 11:10 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 13h45 | 1:55 PM Columbus, E Mound St (Akili Christian High School), OH | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Chicago, IL to Columbus, OH run on average 8 times per day, taking around 7h 52m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $45 (€36) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:50, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 275 miles (444 km) distance in 7h 20m.
Distance 275 miles (444 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price $45 (€36) |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 7h 20m |
First bus 3:50 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 77 days |
Discover the best of Columbus — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Columbus trip today.
Major art museum known for American and European modern art, rotating exhibitions, and a strong local reputation. A core cultural stop in Columbus.
Large science museum with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and family-friendly displays. One of the city’s best-known attractions.
Botanical conservatory with glasshouses, seasonal displays, and art installations including works by Dale Chihuly. Very popular for photos and events.
Columbus’s best-known urban neighborhood for galleries, murals, nightlife, and street life. A must for walking, people-watching, and photos.
Downtown riverfront park system with walking paths, fountains, lawns, and skyline views. One of the city’s top public spaces.
Historic brick neighborhood famous for preserved nineteenth-century homes, shaded streets, and a distinct local character.
A baked pasta casserole with ground beef, tomato sauce, and cheese. It is strongly associated with Columbus restaurant history and remains a classic local comfort food.
Thin-crust pizza cut into squares, often topped edge-to-edge. It is one of Columbus's most recognizable local food traditions.
Peanut butter balls partially dipped in chocolate to resemble the Ohio buckeye nut. They are a signature sweet treat tied closely to Columbus and Ohio State culture.
A fine-dining Columbus institution offering French-inspired cuisine, formal service, and one of the city's most established upscale experiences.
A long-established German Village restaurant known for polished American dining, strong brunch, and an elegant patio atmosphere.
An iconic German Village spot famous for sausages, schnitzel, cream puffs, and a lively old-world Columbus atmosphere.
Moderate by U.S. standards. Dining and coffee are reasonable, while hotels vary by season and events.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, 20% at bars, USD 2-5 for hotel staff, and round up or tip 10-15% for taxis.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Columbus, OH 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 Columbus, OH, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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