- Must visit
The Art Institute Of Chicago
One of the premier art museums in the United States, known for its Impressionist masterpieces, modern works, and iconic collections in a landmark downtown building.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Clayton, MO to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $33. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 29m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $33, and a flight costs an average of $379.
Distance: 262 miles (423 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$58 Average price | $38 Average price Cheapest | $420 Average price | $62 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 57m Average total duration 6h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 28m Average total duration 4h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 29m Average total duration Fastest 1h 29m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Clayton, MO to Chicago, IL:
A train is $19 (€16) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Clayton, MO to Chicago, IL costing on average $58 (€46).
A train is $382 (€308) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Clayton, MO to Chicago, IL costing on average $420 (€339).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 58m.
Bus takes on average 6h 27m.
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 FlixBus | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator Metro St. Louis | Departure Time 08:27AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 8h03 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Metro St. Louis | Departure Time 02:27PM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 7h38 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Metro St. Louis | Departure Time 02:33PM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 7h32 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 03:05AM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Metro St. Louis | Departure Time 10:32PM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 7h13 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Metro St. Louis | Departure Time 11:32PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 16h58 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $57 |
The table below shows live departures for Clayton, MO to Chicago, IL buses for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:00 PM Clayton, MO | 6h05 | 3:05 AM Chicago, IL | 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 Clayton, MO to Chicago, IL run on average 5 times per day, taking around 6h 27m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $56 (€45) but you can travel from only $33 (€26) by train.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 04:30, the last at 21:00. The fastest bus covers the 262 miles (423 km) distance in 6h 5m.
Distance 262 miles (423 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $56 (€45) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 6h 5m |
First bus 4:30 AM |
Last bus 9:00 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Discover the best of Chicago — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chicago trip today.
One of the premier art museums in the United States, known for its Impressionist masterpieces, modern works, and iconic collections in a landmark downtown building.
A world-class natural history museum famous for its dinosaur fossils, ancient cultures, and major scientific collections, including the celebrated T. rex specimen SUE.
A large interactive science museum in Hyde Park with hands-on exhibits, transportation displays, and family-friendly experiences in a grand historic building.
Chicago’s signature downtown park combines major public art, gardens, and event spaces, making it one of the city’s essential first stops for visitors.
The city’s best-known stretch of Michigan Avenue is lined with landmark buildings, shops, and hotels, and serves as a central walking route for first-time visitors.
A highly popular waterfront promenade with excellent architecture views, bridges, and easy access to boat tours. It is one of the city’s most scenic urban walks.
Chicago’s iconic thick, buttery-crust pizza baked in a deep pan with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce.
An all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, onions, relish, tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt.
Thin-sliced seasoned roast beef served on a long roll, often dipped in jus and topped with sweet peppers or giardiniera.
A celebrated West Loop restaurant with bold small plates, creative flavors, and a vibrant, modern atmosphere.
Chicago’s internationally renowned fine-dining destination known for highly creative tasting menus and theatrical presentation.
A classic Chicago pizzeria famous for buttery-crust deep-dish pizza and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Moderate for a major U.S. city: casual food is reasonable, but hotels, parking, and fine dining add up fast.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Bars: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15%. Hotels: USD 2-5 for housekeeping; USD 1-2 per bag.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Clayton, MO to Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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