- Must visit
Art Institute Of Chicago
One of the world’s leading art museums, famous for Impressionist masterpieces, American art, and major special exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$52
Average price
$58
Fastest journey
5 h 29 m
Average duration
6 h 3 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
373 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Dayton, OH to Chicago, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dayton, OH to Chicago, IL will cost around $58 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $52.
It's difficult to get from Dayton, OH to Chicago, IL without transferring at least once.






Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Dayton, OH to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $42. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 36m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $42, and a flight costs an average of $222.
Distance: 231 miles (373 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$64 Average price Cheapest | $362 Average price | $73 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 40m Average total duration 6h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 36m Average total duration Fastest 1h 36m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 32m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Dayton, OH to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $298 (€243) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Dayton, OH to Chicago, IL costing on average $362 (€295).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 10m.
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 12:35AM | Arrival Time 06:10AM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:35AM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator Dayton RTA | Departure Time 07:28AM | Arrival Time 01:35PM | Duration 6h07 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator Dayton RTA | Departure Time 10:46AM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 5h29 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:55PM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator Dayton RTA | Departure Time 11:37PM | Arrival Time 06:10AM | Duration 6h33 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $52 |
The table below shows live departures for Dayton, OH to Chicago, IL buses for tomorrow, Sunday, June 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:28 AM Dayton, OH | 6h07 | 1:35 PM Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 10:46 AM Dayton, OH | 5h29 | 4:15 PM Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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 Dayton, OH to Chicago, IL run on average 2 times per day, taking around 6h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $42 (€34) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:35, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 231 miles (373 km) distance in 6h 20m.
Distance 231 miles (373 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $42 (€34) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 6h 20m |
First bus 12:35 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 21 days |
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 world’s leading art museums, famous for Impressionist masterpieces, American art, and major special exhibitions.
Major natural history museum known for Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, and large family-friendly science exhibits.
Large hands-on science museum in Hyde Park with a U-505 submarine, aviation exhibits, and immersive interactive displays.
Chicago’s signature public space, home to Cloud Gate and major events, with strong appeal for first-time visitors and photographers.
Scenic pedestrian route along the Chicago River, popular for architecture views, strolling, and social-media-friendly city scenes.
Famous stretch of North Michigan Avenue known for landmark architecture, flagship stores, and busy big-city energy.
Chicago’s iconic thick-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.
A classic Chicago sandwich of thin-sliced seasoned beef served on a roll, often dipped in jus and topped with giardiniera or sweet peppers.
A well-known Magnificent Mile restaurant serving Mediterranean-influenced small plates, charcuterie, and strong wine selections.
Chicago’s internationally acclaimed fine-dining restaurant known for inventive tasting menus and a polished, theatrical experience.
A legendary Chicago pizzeria best known for buttery-crust deep-dish pizza in a casual, family-friendly setting.
Moderate by U.S. big-city standards. Hotels can be pricey downtown, but food and transit offer good value.
Tip 18-20% at sit-down restaurants; 20%+ for great service. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and USD 1-2 per bag for hotel staff.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dayton, OH 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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