- 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
$55
Average price
$76
Fastest journey
5h 10m
Average duration
6h 45m
Buses per day
6
Distance
381 km
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $33. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 29m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $33, and a flight costs an average of $236.
Distance: 238 miles (384 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$61 Average price Cheapest | $66 Average price | $400 Average price | $72 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 22m Average total duration 5h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 46m Average total duration 5h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 29m Average total duration Fastest 1h 29m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.3kg 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 Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $5 (€4) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $66 (€54).
A bus is $339 (€278) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $400 (€329).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 16m.
Bus takes on average 5h 52m.
Tickets start at around $61 (€50) compared to roughly $72 (€59) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $10 (€9). The journey takes 5h 52m versus 4h 5m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Greyhound, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:20AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:15PM | Arrival Time 05:25AM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $39 |
The table below shows live departures for Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL buses for today, Friday, July 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 7:15 AM Detroit, Greyhound Terminal | 5h10 | 11:25 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:20 AM Detroit, Greyhound Terminal | 7h00 | 2:20 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 10:45 AM Detroit, Greyhound Terminal | 7h50 | 5:35 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
· | 1:50 PM Detroit, Greyhound Terminal | 7h15 | 8:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 4:20 PM Detroit, Greyhound Terminal | 6h05 | 9:25 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect |
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 Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL run on average 5 times per day, taking around 5h 52m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $33 (€27) if you book in advance.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 04:56, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 238 miles (384 km) distance in 5h 10m.
Distance 238 miles (384 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price $33 (€27) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 5h 10m |
First bus 4:56 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 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.
A top natural history museum known for Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, fossils, and broad science collections.
A large hands-on science museum with a German submarine, space exhibits, and interactive engineering displays.
Chicago’s signature downtown park, home to Cloud Gate, gardens, public art, and major seasonal events.
The city’s best-known avenue for architecture, shopping, and bustling urban energy along North Michigan Avenue.
A popular pedestrian waterfront with excellent skyline views, bridges, and easy access to boat architecture tours.
A thick, buttery crust pizza baked in a deep pan with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. It is one of Chicago’s most iconic and debated local specialties.
An all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with yellow mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. It is a classic local street food served without ketchup.
Thinly sliced seasoned roast beef piled onto an Italian roll, often dipped in its juices and topped with sweet peppers or giardiniera. It is a defining working-class Chicago sandwich.
Chicago’s world-famous fine-dining restaurant known for highly creative tasting menus and theatrical presentation. It offers one of the city’s most celebrated upscale dining experiences.
A beloved casual institution best known for breaded steak sandwiches and hearty Italian-American comfort food. It has a loyal local following and an old-school atmosphere.
A legendary Chicago chain celebrated for buttery-crust deep-dish pizza and a classic casual atmosphere. One of the city’s best-known places to try this signature dish.
Chicago is pricey for hotels and dining, but budget eats and public transit help keep daily costs manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 15-20% for taxis and rideshares; USD 1-2 per drink at bars; USD 1-2 per bag for bellhops; USD 2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Detroit, MI 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.

Most Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL buses use the Detroit, Greyhound Terminal to Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak). Use this guide to compare Detroit, MI and Chicago, IL 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