- Must visit
Palm Springs Art Museum
The city’s main art museum, known for modern and contemporary art, architecture, and rotating exhibitions. A leading cultural stop in downtown Palm Springs.
Cheapest price
$207
Average price
$207
Fastest journey
1 d 21 h 45 m
Average duration
1 d 21 h 45 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
2674 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to Palm Springs, CA 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 Palm Springs, CA will cost around $207 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $207.
Of the 1 buses that leave Chicago, IL for Palm Springs, CA on Sat, Jun 20, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 2674 km distance in an average of 1 d 21 h 45 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 d 21 h 45 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 1 d 21 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.


Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Palm Springs, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $247. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 33m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $247, and a flight costs an average of $317.
Distance: 1661 miles (2674 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$320 Average price | $396 Average price | $247 Average price Cheapest | $399 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
48h 40m Average total duration 48h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 33m Average total duration Fastest 5h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 62h 22m Average total duration 61h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 29h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Palm Springs, CA:
A train is $73 (€60) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Palm Springs, CA costing on average $320 (€262).
A train is $149 (€122) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Palm Springs, CA costing on average $396 (€325).
Other travel options to Palm Springs, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 48h 10m.
Train takes on average 61h 52m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.
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 04:10AM | Arrival Time 08:35AM | Duration 52h25 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $391 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:01PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 49h39 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $380 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:25PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 49h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $394 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 45h45 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $375 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 46h10 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $175 |
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Palm Springs, CA buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:30 PM Chicago, IL | 46h10 | 8:40 PM Palm Springs, CA | 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 Palm Springs, CA run on average 9 times per day, taking around 48h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $175 (€143) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 1661 miles (2674 km) distance in 45h 45m.
Distance 1661 miles (2674 km) |
Average bus duration 48h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $175 (€143) |
Buses per day 9 |
Fastest bus 45h 45m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Discover the best of Palm Springs — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Palm Springs trip today.
The city’s main art museum, known for modern and contemporary art, architecture, and rotating exhibitions. A leading cultural stop in downtown Palm Springs.
A modern museum presenting the history, culture, and living traditions of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. One of the city’s most important recent cultural additions.
A highly regarded aviation museum with flyable historic aircraft, large hangars, and strong exhibits on World War II and later conflicts.
The main downtown street lined with shops, design spots, hotels, and public art. It is the core strolling area for first-time visitors.
The city’s central district for walking, shopping, events, and nightlife, with strong Mid-Century Modern character and frequent visitor activity.
A popular weekly street fair in downtown Palm Springs featuring local vendors, entertainment, and a lively evening atmosphere.
A classic Coachella Valley drink made with locally grown dates blended into a rich milkshake. It is one of the region’s most iconic treats because date farming helped define the desert area.
Fresh or dried Medjool dates are a signature local product of the Palm Springs area. They are prized for their soft texture and deep caramel-like sweetness.
A traditional desert-area baked loaf made with local dates and nuts. It is a longstanding regional specialty often served as a snack or breakfast item.
A long-running Palm Springs favorite serving classic American and continental dishes in an elegant setting beneath the mountains.
An established casual favorite known for generous deli classics, bakery items, and dependable comfort food in a busy, welcoming setting.
A stylish, established downtown restaurant known for seasonal California cooking, craft cocktails, and a dramatic industrial dining room.
Palm Springs is pricier than many U.S. cities, especially for hotels and dining in peak season.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Palm Springs, CA 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 Palm Springs, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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