4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA
Cheapest price
$127
Average price
$234
Fastest journey
18 h
Average duration
19 h 56 m
Buses per day
10
Distance
1069 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia, PA will cost around $234 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $127.
Of the 10 buses that leave Chicago, IL for Philadelphia, PA on Fri, May 08, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 08 the direct buses cover the 1069 km distance in an average of 19 h 56 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 18 h .
On Fri, May 08 the slowest buses will take 20 h 55 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.
FlixBus7:00 AM20h10Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station4:10 AMPhiladelphia Bus Station$1271One-way0 transfers
· +FlixBus11:35 PM27h35Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station4:10 AMPhiladelphia Bus Station$2051One-way2 transfers- · · +FlixBus11:10 PM34h50Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL11:00 AMPhiladelphia, Schuylkill Ave (Cira Centre South), PA$2191One-way4 transfers
- · 11:10 PM25h40Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL1:50 AMPhiladelphia Bus Station$2191One-way1 transfer
- · 6:00 PM18h00Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station1:00 PMPhiladelphia Bus Station$2361One-way1 transfer
- · 6:00 PM18h00Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station1:00 PMPhiladelphia Bus Station$2361One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus12:25 PM19h50Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station9:15 AMPhiladelphia Bus Station$2621One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus7:00 AM20h10Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station4:10 AMPhiladelphia Bus Station$1271One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus++FlixBus7:15 PM20h45Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station5:00 PMPhiladelphia Bus Station$2711One-way2 transfers
- · 10:15 AM20h55Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL8:10 AMPhiladelphia Bus Station$2641One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $96. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 23m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 1.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $96, and a flight costs an average of $77.
Distance: 664 miles (1069 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$200 Average price Cheapest | $233 Average price | $324 Average price | $318 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
20h 38m Average total duration 20h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 21h 8m Average total duration 20h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 23m Average total duration Fastest 3h 23m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 11h 27m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
1.1 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.3 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 3.2 - 6.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA:
A bus is $53 (€42) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA costing on average $252 (€201).
A bus is $124 (€99) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA costing on average $324 (€258).
Other travel options to Philadelphia, PA take longer:
Bus takes on average 20h 8m.
Train takes on average 20h 54m.
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.
Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 04:10AM | Duration 20h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $228 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 04:10AM | Duration 20h10 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price $89 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:15AM | Arrival Time 08:10AM | Duration 20h55 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $132 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 08:10AM | Duration 19h40 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $149 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:25PM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 19h50 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $142 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 18h00 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $127 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:15PM | Arrival Time 08:35PM | Duration 24h20 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $124 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:10PM | Arrival Time 01:50AM | Duration 25h40 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $132 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 04:10AM | Duration 27h35 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $164 |
Live departures
Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA buses for today, Thursday, May 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| undefined · undefined | 6:00 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 18h00 | 1:00 PM Philadelphia Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
| FlixBus++FlixBus | 7:15 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 20h45 | 5:00 PM Philadelphia Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
| FlixBus+ | 7:15 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 24h20 | 8:35 PM Philadelphia, Schuylkill Ave (Cira Centre South), PA | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, May 8 | |||||
| 1:15 AM Chicago, IL | 24h40 | 1:55 AM Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, May 7 | |||||
| undefined · undefined · undefined+FlixBus | 11:10 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 34h50 | 11:00 AM Philadelphia, Schuylkill Ave (Cira Centre South), PA | 4 transfers | |
| undefined · undefined | 11:10 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 25h40 | 1:50 AM Philadelphia Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
| undefined · undefined+FlixBus | 11:35 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 27h35 | 4:10 AM Philadelphia Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
| Friday, May 8 | |||||
| 5:10 AM Chicago, IL | 32h35 | 1:45 PM Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 4:30 PM Chicago, IL | 19h40 | 12:10 PM Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 5:30 PM Chicago, IL | 19h40 | 1:10 PM Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, 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.
May 08
May 09
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
Why should you book Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Greyhound, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Greyhound with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA
USAUSA
Buses from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA run on average 13 times per day, taking around 20h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $99 (€79) but you can travel from only $83 (€67) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 01:50, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 664 miles (1069 km) distance in 18h 0m.
Distance 664 miles (1069 km) |
Average bus duration 20h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $99 (€79) |
Buses per day 13 |
Fastest bus 18h 0m |
First bus 1:50 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 21 days |
Bus providers: Greyhound, FlixBus from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PAYou can travel by bus between Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA with Greyhound, FlixBus for as low as $77 (€61). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia, PA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence housed in Liberty Bell Center
- Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, renowned for its vast collection of art and famous Rocky Steps
- Reading Terminal Market, a historic public market offering diverse food vendors and local specialties
- Eastern State Penitentiary, a former prison now a museum known for its grand architecture and historical significance.
- Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence located in the Liberty Bell Center
- Independence Hall, the historic site where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, renowned for its vast collection of art and the famous Rocky Steps
- Reading Terminal Market, a bustling indoor market offering diverse food options and local specialties
- Philadelphia Zoo, America's first zoo featuring a wide variety of animals and interactive exhibits.
- 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.
- 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 Philadelphia, PA
Most popular bus connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Philadelphia, PA and Chicago, IL
Most popular bus connections to Philadelphia, PA
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
