4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Cheapest price
$330
Average price
$437
Fastest journey
2 d 3 h 5 m
Average duration
2 d 12 h 2 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
2983 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA will cost around $437 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $330.
It's difficult to get from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA without transferring at least 2 times.
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Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from €74. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.9 - 2.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of €74, and a train costs an average of €117.
Distance: 1853 miles (2983 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€252 Average price | €259 Average price | €199 Average price Cheapest |
52h 36m Average total duration 52h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 54h 33m Average total duration 54h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 10m Average total duration Fastest 5h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
3.0 - 7.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.9 - 17.9kg CO2 emissions |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 71h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $390 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:20AM | Arrival Time 07:05PM | Duration 57h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $256 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 64h45 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $282 |
Live departures
Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Sunday, November 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined | 4:00 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 70h40 | 2:40 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 3 transfers | |
| undefined · undefined · undefined | 5:20 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 51h05 | 8:25 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 2 transfers | |
| undefined · undefined · undefined+FlixBus | 5:20 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 56h45 | 2:05 AM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 3 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA by bus, train, or flight
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.
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
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Buses from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA run on average 8 times per day, taking around 52h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $118 (€96) but you can travel from only $91 (€74) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:25. The fastest bus covers the 1853 miles (2983 km) distance in 51h 5m.
Distance 1853 miles (2983 km) |
Average bus duration 52h 6m |
Cheapest ticket price $118 (€96) |
Buses per day 8 |
Fastest bus 51h 5m |
First bus 00:15 |
Last bus 23:25 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, Greyhound from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CAYou can travel by bus between Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA with FlixBus, Greyhound for as low as $91 (€74). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay
- Alcatraz Island, a historic site featuring the infamous former prison and informative audio tours
- Fisherman's Wharf, a bustling waterfront area known for seafood, shops, and sea lions
- Golden Gate Park, a large urban park with gardens, museums, and recreational activities
- Chinatown, the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, offering vibrant culture and cuisine.
- Ride a cable car through the steep streets of San Francisco for a classic city experience
- Explore the vibrant murals and street art in the Mission District
- Visit the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum perfect for all ages
- Take a scenic walk along the Embarcadero, offering views of the Bay Bridge and access to the Ferry Building Marketplace
- Enjoy a wine tasting tour in nearby Napa Valley, a short drive from the city.
- 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 San Francisco, CA, 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 San Francisco, CA
Most popular bus connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL
Most popular bus connections to San Francisco, CA
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