- 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
$212
Average price
$233
Fastest journey
23 h 10 m
Average duration
1 d 5 h 58 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
1343 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Providence, RI 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 Providence, RI to Chicago, IL will cost around $233 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $212.
It's difficult to get from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL without transferring at least once.
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FlixBus · FlixBus
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· Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $100. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 37m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $100, and a flight costs an average of $147.
Distance: 834 miles (1343 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$142 Average price Cheapest | $311 Average price | $291 Average price | $193 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
26h 47m Average total duration 26h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 37m Average total duration Fastest 2h 37m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 25h 33m Average total duration 25h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 14h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $149 (€123) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL costing on average $291 (€239).
A bus is $170 (€140) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL costing on average $311 (€256).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 25h 3m.
Bus takes on average 26h 17m.
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 09:25AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 25h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $114 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 24h55 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 41h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $124 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 23h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $114 |
The table below shows live departures for Providence, RI to Chicago, IL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
· · | 9:25 AM Providence, Canal FS Smith | 29h20 | 1:45 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 2 transfers | |
· · | 9:25 AM Providence, Canal FS Smith | 25h35 | 10:00 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:30 PM Providence, Canal FS Smith | 24h55 | 1:25 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+![]() | 1:30 PM Providence, Canal FS Smith | 43h30 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
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 Providence, RI to Chicago, IL run on average 5 times per day, taking around 26h 17m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $100 (€82) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 06:55, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 834 miles (1343 km) distance in 23h 10m.
Distance 834 miles (1343 km) |
Average bus duration 26h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price $100 (€82) |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 23h 10m |
First bus 6:55 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
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 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 Providence, RI 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 Providence, RI to Chicago, IL buses use the Providence, Canal FS Smith to Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak) station pair, with some services arriving at Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station. Use this guide to compare Providence, RI 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