- 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
$189
Average price
$223
Fastest journey
2 d 1 h 15 m
Average duration
2 d 3 h 25 m
Buses per day
18
Distance
2784 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Diego, CA 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 Diego, CA to Chicago, IL will cost around $223 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $189.
It's difficult to get from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL without transferring at least 2 times.
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· Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $49. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 33m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.8 - 2.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $49, and a train costs an average of $196.
Distance: 1729 miles (2784 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$348 Average price | $450 Average price | $317 Average price Cheapest | $427 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
49h 18m Average total duration 48h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 49h 31m Average total duration 49h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 33m Average total duration Fastest 4h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 30h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
2.8 - 7.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.8 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.4 - 16.7kg 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 San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL:
A flight is $31 (€25) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $348 (€286).
A flight is $132 (€109) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $450 (€370).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 48h 48m.
Train takes on average 49h 1m.
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 02:35AM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 54h45 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $188 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 54h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $182 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 52h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $180 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 68h35 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $176 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 52h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $173 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 49h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $177 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:10PM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 49h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $174 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 55h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $247 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 54h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $273 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 55h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $507 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:25PM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 68h35 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $384 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 52h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $176 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 58h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $187 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 49h45 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $193 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:55PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 58h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $179 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 49h15 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $242 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:40PM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 60h30 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $446 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 64h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $365 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:55PM | Arrival Time 10:10AM | Duration 58h15 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $253 |
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL buses for today, Tuesday, July 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
· · · | 7:10 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 58h50 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 3 transfers | |
· · · | 7:10 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 55h10 | 4:20 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3 transfers | |
· · · | 7:55 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 58h05 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 3 transfers | |
· · · | 7:55 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 54h25 | 4:20 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3 transfers | |
| Wednesday, July 8 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus+ + FlixBus | 7:35 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 54h30 | 4:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3 transfers | |
· + FlixBus | 9:15 AM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 52h50 | 4:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+ · | 9:25 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 68h35 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 5 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+ · | 9:25 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 53h00 | 4:25 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 4 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus+ · | 9:25 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 68h35 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 5 transfers | |
· + FlixBus | 9:50 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 52h15 | 4:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus+ · · | 12:40 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 49h45 | 4:25 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3 transfers | |
FlixBus+ · · | 1:10 PM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA | 49h15 | 4:25 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 3 transfers | |
FlixBus+ · · | 1:10 PM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA | 64h50 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 4 transfers | |
FlixBus+ · · | 1:10 PM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA | 64h50 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 4 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 Diego, CA to Chicago, IL run on average 12 times per day, taking around 48h 48m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $169 (€139) but you can travel from only $49 (€40) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 1729 miles (2784 km) distance in 48h 35m.
Distance 1729 miles (2784 km) |
Average bus duration 48h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price $169 (€139) |
Buses per day 12 |
Fastest bus 48h 35m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 San Diego, CA 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 San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL buses use the San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park) to Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak). Use this guide to compare San Diego, CA 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