- 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
$257
Average price
$313
Fastest journey
1 d 2 h 50 m
Average duration
1 d 6 h 20 m
Buses per day
9
Distance
1691 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Antonio, TX 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 San Antonio, TX to Chicago, IL will cost around $313 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $257.
It's difficult to get from San Antonio, TX to Chicago, IL without transferring at least 2 times.
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FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Antonio, TX to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $116. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $116, and a flight costs an average of $120.
Distance: 1050 miles (1691 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$241 Average price Cheapest | $273 Average price | $337 Average price | $248 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
26h 21m Average total duration 25h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 31h 11m Average total duration 30h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 45m Average total duration Fastest 4h 45m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 18h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() 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 |
This is compared to other travel options from San Antonio, TX to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $32 (€26) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Antonio, TX to Chicago, IL costing on average $273 (€222).
A bus is $97 (€78) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Antonio, TX to Chicago, IL costing on average $337 (€274).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 25h 51m.
Train takes on average 30h 41m.
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 12:15AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 32h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $223 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:15AM | Arrival Time 10:10AM | Duration 32h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $320 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 30h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $167 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:15AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 30h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $239 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:15AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 34h45 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $329 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:50AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 33h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $167 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 30h30 | Departure days Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $140 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 32h35 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $171 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 51h45 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $179 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 32h20 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $171 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:35PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 31h35 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $171 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:45PM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 32h20 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $223 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 32h45 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $148 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 01:10AM | Duration 31h35 | Departure days Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $258 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:35PM | Arrival Time 02:10AM | Duration 31h35 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $191 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 35h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $170 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:55PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 34h05 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price $257 |
The table below shows live departures for San Antonio, TX to Chicago, IL buses for today, Sunday, June 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus+ · | 9:55 PM San Antonio, N St Mary's St (Greyhound), TX | 34h05 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus+ · | 9:55 PM San Antonio, N St Mary's St (Greyhound), TX | 30h25 | 4:20 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
| Monday, June 15 | |||||
· · | 1:30 AM San Antonio, N St Mary's St (Greyhound), TX | 30h30 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 2 transfers | |
· · | 1:30 AM San Antonio, N St Mary's St (Greyhound), TX | 26h50 | 4:20 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
· · | 5:50 AM San Antonio, N St Mary's St (Greyhound), TX | 33h25 | 3:15 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+ + FlixBus | 7:30 AM San Antonio, N St Mary's St (Greyhound), TX | 32h35 | 4:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+ + FlixBus | 7:45 AM San Antonio, Avenue A / Pearl Pkwy, TX | 32h20 | 4:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+ · | 7:45 AM San Antonio, Avenue A / Pearl Pkwy, TX | 48h15 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 4 transfers | |
· · | 12:35 PM San Antonio, N St Mary's St (Greyhound), TX | 31h35 | 8:10 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
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 San Antonio, TX to Chicago, IL run on average 8 times per day, taking around 25h 51m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $116 (€94) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 1050 miles (1691 km) distance in 26h 40m.
Distance 1050 miles (1691 km) |
Average bus duration 25h 51m |
Cheapest ticket price $116 (€94) |
Buses per day 8 |
Fastest bus 26h 40m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 49 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 San Antonio, TX 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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