The cheapest and fastest buses from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$66
Average price
$95
Fastest journey
6 h 5 m
Average duration
8 h 20 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
419 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL will cost around $95 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $66.
Of the 5 buses that leave St. Louis, MO for Chicago, IL on Tue, May 26, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct buses cover the 419 km distance in an average of 8 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 5 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest buses will take 11 h 45 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus4:00 PM6h05St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)10:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$661One-way0 transfers
FlixBus10:00 AM6h05St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)4:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$661One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:30 PM6h15St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)5:45 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$661One-way0 transfers
· 2:00 AM11h45St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)1:45 PMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$1091One-way1 transfer
· 9:00 AM11h30St. Louis, MO8:30 PMChicago, IL$1691One-way1 transfer
FlixBus4:00 PM6h05St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)10:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$661One-way0 transfers
FlixBus10:00 AM6h05St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)4:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$661One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:30 PM6h15St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)5:45 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$661One-way0 transfers
· 9:00 AM11h30St. Louis, MO8:30 PMChicago, IL$1691One-way1 transfer
· 2:00 AM11h45St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)1:45 PMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$1091One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $30. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 23m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $30, and a flight costs an average of $106.
Distance: 260 miles (419 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$68 Average price | $59 Average price Cheapest | $408 Average price | $61 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 29m Average total duration 5h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 10m Average total duration 5h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 23m Average total duration Fastest 1h 23m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.5kg 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 St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL:
A train is $9 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL costing on average $68 (€55).
A train is $349 (€282) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL costing on average $408 (€329).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 40m.
Bus takes on average 5h 59m.
You'll arrive about -2h -38m sooner (5h 59m by bus vs 4h 21m by car) and save roughly $-7.13 (€-5.75) compared to fuel and tolls ($68 (€55) vs $61 (€49)). 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 Greyhound, FlixBus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 01:45PM | Duration 11h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 11h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $169 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $52 |
Live departures
St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL bus times
The table below shows live departures for St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL buses for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 10:00 AM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 6h05 | 4:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:00 PM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 6h05 | 10:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:30 PM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 6h15 | 5:45 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, May 26 | |||||
· | 2:00 AM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 11h45 | 1:45 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL by train, bus, or flight
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.
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Why should you book St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Greyhound, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL.
- 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 train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Buses from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 59m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $45 (€36) but you can travel from only $30 (€24) by train.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 260 miles (419 km) distance in 6h 5m.
Distance 260 miles (419 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price $45 (€36) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 6h 5m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 42 days |
Bus providers: Greyhound, FlixBus from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, ILYou can travel by bus between St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL with Greyhound, FlixBus for as low as $30 (€24). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from St. Louis, MO 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.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- 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.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Most popular bus connections from St. Louis, MO
More options for your journey from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
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