- 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
$131
Average price
$131
Fastest journey
9h 40m
Average duration
9h 40m
Buses per day
1
Distance
784 km
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $56. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 48m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $56, and a flight costs an average of $85.
Distance: 480 miles (774 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$109 Average price Cheapest | $167 Average price | $328 Average price | $107 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 37m Average total duration 8h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 1m Average total duration 10h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 48m Average total duration Fastest 4h 48m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.8 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.3 - 4.6kg 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 Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $57 (€47) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL costing on average $167 (€137).
A bus is $219 (€180) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL costing on average $328 (€270).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 7m.
Train takes on average 10h 31m.
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 Greyhound | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 14h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $106 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:15AM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 15h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $102 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $81 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 14h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $128 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:40PM | Arrival Time 04:20AM | Duration 9h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $75 |
The table below shows live departures for Memphis, TN 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:40 PM Memphis, Airways Transit Center | 9h40 | 4:20 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, July 11 | |||||
· | 12:30 AM Memphis, Airways Transit Center | 14h45 | 3:15 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
· | 4:15 AM Memphis, Airways Transit Center | 15h55 | 8:10 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 11:00 AM Memphis, Airways Transit Center | 11h05 | 10:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
· | 5:05 PM Memphis, Airways Transit Center | 14h55 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL run on average 5 times per day, taking around 8h 7m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $56 (€46) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 480 miles (774 km) distance in 9h 30m.
Distance 480 miles (774 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $56 (€46) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 9h 30m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 6 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 Memphis, TN 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 Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL buses use the Memphis, Airways Transit Center to Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak). Use this guide to compare Memphis, TN 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