- Must visit
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Major art museum with a broad collection spanning ancient to contemporary works. A top cultural stop in the city and especially strong for first-time visitors.
Cheapest price
$73
Average price
$120
Fastest journey
8 h 20 m
Average duration
9 h 20 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
571 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN 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 Minneapolis, MN will cost around $120 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $73.
Of the 6 buses that leave Chicago, IL for Minneapolis, MN on Wed, Jul 08, 6 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 571 km distance in an average of 9 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 20 m .
On Wed, Jul 08 the slowest buses will take 11 h 5 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
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $58. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 35m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $58, and a flight costs an average of $84.
Distance: 354 miles (571 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$99 Average price Cheapest | $142 Average price | $375 Average price | $87 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 15m Average total duration 8h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 12m Average total duration 7h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 35m Average total duration Fastest 1h 35m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 34m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN:
A bus is $43 (€35) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN costing on average $142 (€116).
A bus is $276 (€227) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN costing on average $375 (€308).
Other travel options to Minneapolis, MN take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 42m.
Bus takes on average 8h 45m.
You'll arrive about -2h -11m sooner (8h 45m by bus vs 7h 34m by car) and save roughly $-12.11 (€-9.96) compared to fuel and tolls ($99 (€81) vs $87 (€71)). 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 Greyhound, 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.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 09:25AM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:35AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 11h40 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 12:05AM | Duration 9h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 06:20AM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $69 |
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:00 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 8h20 | 6:20 AM Minneapolis, 5th St Transit Center (Ramp B), MN | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, July 8 | |||||
![]() | 12:30 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 8h55 | 9:25 AM Minneapolis, 5th St Transit Center (Ramp B), MN | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:35 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 11h40 | 6:15 PM Minneapolis, 5th St Transit Center (Ramp B), MN | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:10 AM Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station, IL | 11h05 | 6:15 PM Minneapolis, 5th St Transit Center (Ramp B), MN | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:00 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 9h15 | 6:15 PM Minneapolis, 5th St Transit Center (Ramp B), MN | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:00 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 9h05 | 12:05 AM Minneapolis, 5th St Transit Center (Ramp B), MN | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Minneapolis, MN run on average 6 times per day, taking around 8h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $58 (€47) but you can travel from only $47 (€39) by train.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 354 miles (571 km) distance in 8h 30m.
Distance 354 miles (571 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $58 (€47) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 8h 30m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Minneapolis — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Minneapolis trip today.
Major art museum with a broad collection spanning ancient to contemporary works. A top cultural stop in the city and especially strong for first-time visitors.
Leading contemporary art museum known for modern exhibitions, design, film, and performance. Often paired with a visit to the adjacent sculpture garden.
Museum built within the ruins of a historic flour mill, telling the story of Minneapolis industry and the Mississippi riverfront.
Large urban park centered on Minnehaha Falls, with trails, river access, and photogenic scenery. Extremely popular with visitors and locals.
Linked lakes with walking and biking paths, beaches, and city views. A defining outdoor experience in Minneapolis.
The city's largest lake, popular for walking, paddling, and sunset views. Frequently featured in social media and local recreation guides.
A Minneapolis burger with cheese stuffed inside the beef patty instead of on top. It is a Twin Cities classic strongly associated with local bar and grill culture.
A sandwich made with Minnesota walleye, the state fish, usually fried or grilled and served on a bun. It reflects the region’s lake culture and love of freshwater fish.
A creamy soup featuring Minnesota wild rice, often with mushrooms, vegetables, or chicken. Wild rice is one of the state’s most iconic indigenous ingredients.
An acclaimed restaurant celebrating Indigenous North American ingredients and techniques. It offers one of the most distinctive dining experiences in Minneapolis.
A celebrated North Loop restaurant serving polished Midwestern cuisine in an upscale but welcoming setting. It is one of the city’s best-known fine dining destinations.
A lively downtown restaurant known for creative American comfort food and a popular brunch. It is established, approachable, and consistently well regarded.
Generally moderate by U.S. city standards. Hotels can be pricey downtown, but meals, coffee, and transit are fairly manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and USD 2-5 for hotel staff as appropriate.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN 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 Minneapolis, MN, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN buses use the Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station to Minneapolis, Hawthorne Ave & 10th St N station pair. Use this guide to compare Chicago, IL and Minneapolis, MN 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