- Must visit
Saint Louis Art Museum
Major fine arts museum in Forest Park with a strong encyclopedic collection spanning ancient to contemporary works. A top cultural stop in the city.




Cheapest price
$56
Average price
$131
Fastest journey
6h 5m
Average duration
8h 1m
Buses per day
4
Distance
421 km
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $30. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 21m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $30, and a flight costs an average of $71.
Distance: 260 miles (419 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$71 Average price | $60 Average price Cheapest | $397 Average price | $60 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 57m Average total duration 6h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 30m Average total duration 5h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 21m Average total duration Fastest 1h 21m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.5kg 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 St. Louis, MO:
A train is $10 (€8) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO costing on average $71 (€58).
A train is $336 (€276) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO costing on average $397 (€326).
Other travel options to St. Louis, MO take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 0m.
Bus takes on average 6h 27m.
You'll arrive about -3h -16m sooner (6h 27m by bus vs 4h 11m by car) and save roughly $-10.95 (€-8.99) compared to fuel and tolls ($71 (€58) vs $60 (€49)). 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 FlixBus | Departure Time 12:15AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:15PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:50PM | Arrival Time 07:45AM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:10PM | Arrival Time 07:45AM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $54 |
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO buses for today, Thursday, July 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
· | 2:45 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 8h30 | 11:15 PM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 5:15 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 6h05 | 11:20 PM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 0 transfersDirect | |
· | 10:50 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 8h55 | 7:45 AM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 1 transfer | |
· | 11:10 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 8h35 | 7:45 AM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, July 10 | |||||
FlixBus | 12:15 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 6h10 | 6:25 AM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:45 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 5h55 | 3:40 PM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO run on average 5 times per day, taking around 6h 27m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $40 (€33) but you can travel from only $30 (€25) by train.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 260 miles (419 km) distance in 5h 55m.
Distance 260 miles (419 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $40 (€33) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 5h 55m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of St. Louis — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect St. Louis trip today.
Major fine arts museum in Forest Park with a strong encyclopedic collection spanning ancient to contemporary works. A top cultural stop in the city.
Highly original artist-built museum and playground inside a former warehouse, known for tunnels, slides, rooftop features, and immersive installations.
History museum in Forest Park covering St. Louis, Missouri, and regional stories through accessible permanent and temporary exhibitions.
One of the largest urban parks in the United States, home to major cultural institutions, lakes, trails, and broad green space.
Walkable neighborhood known for handsome architecture, lively streets, and a strong mix of shops, culture, and city atmosphere.
Popular entertainment corridor with street life, public art, music history, and a strong local identity near Washington University.
A thin, cracker-like crust pizza cut into squares and traditionally topped with Provel cheese. It is one of the city’s most iconic local foods.
Breaded and fried meat- or cheese-filled ravioli, usually served with marinara. This St. Louis specialty is a classic appetizer across the city.
A rich, dense cake with a buttery base and sweet, gooey topping. It is a beloved St. Louis dessert found in bakeries throughout the region.
Legendary dessert stand serving frozen custard concretes and sundaes; a must-visit local institution with nostalgic charm.
Popular barbecue spot known for Memphis-style smoked ribs, pulled pork, and brisket in a lively casual setting.
Established Italian restaurant in the historic Hill neighborhood, famous for toasted ravioli, pasta, and classic old-school hospitality.
Generally moderate for U.S. city travel. Hotels vary, while casual dining, coffee, and local transport are fairly manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis about 10-15%, and round up for casual service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO buses use the Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station to St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) station pair. Use this guide to compare Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO 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