4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$377
Average price
$439
Fastest journey
2 d 55 m
Average duration
2 d 16 h 3 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
2983 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL will cost around $439 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $377.
It's difficult to get from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL without transferring at least 2 times.
· +
FlixBus10:40 PM63h25San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 294:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$3771One-way2 transfers- · · 1:30 PM48h55San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 294:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$3911One-way2 transfers
- · · · 1:30 PM64h30San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 298:00 AMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$3941One-way4 transfers
- · · · 10:40 PM79h20San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 298:00 AMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$5961One-way3 transfers
- · · 1:30 PM48h55San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 294:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$3911One-way2 transfers
- · +FlixBus10:40 PM63h25San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 294:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$3771One-way2 transfers
- · · · 1:30 PM64h30San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 298:00 AMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$3941One-way4 transfers
- · · · 10:40 PM79h20San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 298:00 AMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$5961One-way3 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $103. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 49m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.9 - 2.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $103, and a train costs an average of $133.
Distance: 1853 miles (2983 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$371 Average price | $455 Average price | $261 Average price Cheapest | $452 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
54h 14m Average total duration 53h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 54h 30m Average total duration 54h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 49m Average total duration Fastest 4h 49m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 30h 53m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
3.0 - 7.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.9 - 17.9kg 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 Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL:
A flight is $109 (€89) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $371 (€300).
A flight is $193 (€156) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $455 (€368).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 53h 44m.
Train takes on average 54h 0m.
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.
San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 70h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $177 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 48h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $182 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 63h35 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $186 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 79h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $182 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:25PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 62h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $179 |
Live departures
San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL buses for today, Saturday, May 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · | 1:30 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 48h55 | 4:25 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
| · · · | 1:30 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 64h30 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 4 transfers | |
| · · · | 10:40 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 79h20 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 3 transfers | |
| · +FlixBus | 10:40 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 63h25 | 4:05 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 prices and tickets San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by bus, train, or flight
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.
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Why should you book San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Greyhound with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
USAUSA
Buses from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL run on average 9 times per day, taking around 53h 44m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $136 (€110) but you can travel from only $103 (€83) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 1853 miles (2983 km) distance in 48h 55m.
Distance 1853 miles (2983 km) |
Average bus duration 53h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $136 (€110) |
Buses per day 9 |
Fastest bus 48h 55m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 42 days |
Bus providers: Greyhound from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, ILYou can travel by bus between San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL with Greyhound for as low as $103 (€83). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, 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.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Millennium Park, a public park known for its modern art installations and the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture
- Art Institute of Chicago, a renowned museum housing an extensive collection of art from around the world
- Navy Pier, a popular entertainment destination featuring rides, restaurants, and lakefront views
- Willis Tower Skydeck, an observation deck offering panoramic views of the city from one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere
- Field Museum, a natural history museum with vast exhibits including the famous T. rex skeleton, Sue.
- Museum of Science and Industry, an interactive museum featuring exhibits on science, technology, and industry
- Explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Chicago, such as Wicker Park and Lincoln Park, known for their unique shops and eateries
- Take a river cruise to see the city's iconic architecture from a different perspective
- Attend a live performance at the historic Chicago Theatre
- Enjoy a day at Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the U.S., offering free admission.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Most popular bus connections from San Francisco, CA
More options for your journey from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA
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