- Must visit
Milwaukee Art Museum
Iconic lakefront art museum known for its Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion and strong collections of American and decorative arts.
Cheapest price
$27
Average price
$59
Fastest journey
1 h 20 m
Average duration
1 h 37 m
Buses per day
12
Distance
134 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI will cost around $59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $27.
Of the 12 buses that leave Chicago, IL for Milwaukee, WI on Mon, May 25, 12 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, May 25 the direct buses cover the 134 km distance in an average of 1 h 37 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 20 m .
On Mon, May 25 the slowest buses will take 1 h 45 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 Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $23. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 41m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $23, and a bus costs an average of $21.
Distance: 83 miles (134 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$31 Average price | $29 Average price Cheapest | $22 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 15m Average total duration 1h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 11m Average total duration Fastest 1h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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 Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI:
A train is $2 (€2) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI costing on average $31 (€25).
Other travel options to Milwaukee, WI take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 45m.
You'll arrive about -1h -12m sooner (1h 45m by bus vs 1h 33m by car) and save roughly $-8.76 (€-7.09) compared to fuel and tolls ($31 (€25) vs $22 (€18)). 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.
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 12:30AM | Arrival Time 02:10AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:35AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 10:55AM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 2h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 11:45PM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $21 |
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI buses for today, Sunday, May 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 12:00 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2h10 | 2:10 PM Milwaukee, Intermodal Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 12:00 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1h50 | 1:50 PM Milwaukee, General Mitchell International Airport (Wisconsin Coach ORD-MKE Bus Stop), WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:00 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2h05 | 5:05 PM Milwaukee, Intermodal Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:00 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1h45 | 4:45 PM Milwaukee, General Mitchell International Airport (Wisconsin Coach ORD-MKE Bus Stop), WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:30 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2h15 | 6:45 PM Milwaukee, Intermodal Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:30 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1h55 | 6:25 PM Milwaukee, General Mitchell International Airport (Wisconsin Coach ORD-MKE Bus Stop), WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:00 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1h45 | 11:45 PM Milwaukee, Intermodal Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, May 25 | |||||
![]() | 12:30 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1h40 | 2:10 AM Milwaukee, Intermodal Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:35 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1h55 | 8:30 AM Milwaukee, Intermodal Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:10 AM Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station, IL | 1h20 | 8:30 AM Milwaukee, Intermodal Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:00 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1h55 | 10:55 AM Milwaukee, Intermodal Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:00 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1h35 | 10:35 AM Milwaukee, General Mitchell International Airport (Wisconsin Coach ORD-MKE Bus Stop), WI | 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 Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI run on average 12 times per day, taking around 1h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $21 (€17) if you book in advance.
There are 12 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:35, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 83 miles (134 km) distance in 1h 30m.
Distance 83 miles (134 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $21 (€17) |
Buses per day 12 |
Direct buses 12 |
Fastest bus 1h 30m |
First bus 12:35 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Milwaukee — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Milwaukee trip today.
Iconic lakefront art museum known for its Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion and strong collections of American and decorative arts.
Major industrial and cultural museum showcasing classic motorcycles, company history, and design heritage in a dramatic riverside campus.
Hands-on science and technology museum on the lakefront with freshwater, innovation, and Great Lakes exhibits popular with families.
Signature pedestrian route along the Milwaukee River connecting downtown districts, public art, dining zones, and skyline views.
Trendy warehouse district filled with restored architecture, boutiques, galleries, and one of the city's most popular walking atmospheres.
Scenic path system along Lake Michigan popular for walking, biking, and postcard views of the waterfront and museum campus.
A Friday staple in Milwaukee: usually cod, perch, or walleye dipped in beer batter and served with fries, rye bread, and coleslaw. It reflects the city’s tavern culture and strong brewing heritage.
Grilled or simmered German-style sausage, often served on a hard roll with mustard, sauerkraut, and onions. It is one of Milwaukee’s most recognizable foods because of the city’s German roots.
Fresh young cheddar curds, often eaten battered and fried in Wisconsin taverns and supper clubs. They are a classic local snack tied closely to Wisconsin dairy culture.
One of Milwaukee’s best-known fine dining restaurants, offering refined seasonal American cuisine in an intimate setting. A top choice for a special meal.
Milwaukee-area institution celebrated for frozen custard, jumbo burgers, and classic roadside stand appeal. Ideal for trying one of the city’s signature desserts.
Popular Bay View spot specializing in gourmet sausages, creative brats, and a strong beer selection. Casual and modern, with a menu that nods to local sausage traditions.
Moderate by U.S. standards. Casual food and coffee are reasonable, while downtown hotels and upscale dining cost more.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis 10-15%, hotel staff a few dollars, and round up for casual services.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need