The cheapest and fastest buses from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA
Cheapest price
$51
Average price
$51
Fastest journey
7 h 25 m
Average duration
7 h 25 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
323 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA 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 Iowa City, IA will cost around $51 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $51.
Of the 1 buses that leave Chicago, IL for Iowa City, IA on Mon, Jan 19, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jan 19 the direct buses cover the 323 km distance in an average of 7 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 25 m .
On Mon, Jan 19 the slowest buses will take 7 h 25 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.


Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €27. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 12m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €27, and a flight costs an average of €120.
Distance: 200 miles (323 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|
€42 Average price Cheapest | €273 Average price |
5h 50m Average total duration 5h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 12m Average total duration Fastest 1h 12m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA buses for tomorrow, Monday, January 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:10 AM Chicago, IL | 7h25 | 6:35 PM Iowa City, IA | 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 Iowa City, IA 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.
Jan 19
Jan 20
Jan 21
Jan 22
Jan 23
Jan 24
Jan 25
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA
Buses from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 5h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $34 (€27) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:10, the last at 13:55. The fastest bus covers the 200 miles (323 km) distance in 4h 15m.
Distance 200 miles (323 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $34 (€27) |
Buses per day 1 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 4h 15m |
First bus 06:10 |
Last bus 13:55 |
Key Takeaways
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA start from as low as $34 (€27) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $51 (€42) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 1 daily trains from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA with 1 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 4h 15m but the average duration is 5h 20m
Train Operators
- Travel from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA with Greyhound, FlixBus, and Burlington Trailways
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is Greyhound.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station and arrive in Iowa City, S Riverside Dr (Kum & Go), IA
- First train typically departs at 06:10 AM and the last at 01:55 PM
Bus providers: Greyhound, FlixBus, Burlington Trailways from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IAYou can travel by bus between Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA with Greyhound, FlixBus, Burlington Trailways for as low as $34 (€27). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
Burlington Trailways
FAQs: Bus from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA 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 Iowa City, IA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- 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.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
- 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 Iowa City, IA
Most popular bus connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to Iowa City, IA
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