How to travel from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL

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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $15. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 24m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $15, and a bus costs an average of $29.

Distance: 117 miles (189 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$35

Average price

Cheapest

$45

Average price

$28

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 54m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 24m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 12m

Average total duration

4h 42m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 7m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Amtrak

Most popular train company

Greyhound

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL is a train with an average price of $35 (€28).

This is compared to other travel options from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL:

A train is $11 (€9) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL costing on average $45 (€36).

A train is $427 (€343) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL costing on average $461 (€371).

The fastest way to travel from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 16m.

Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:

Train takes on average 2h 24m.

Bus takes on average 4h 42m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Bloomington, IL and Chicago, IL including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL among Omio's users.

Travel options
from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL

How to get from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • Amtrak300 Lincoln Service
    7:06 AM1h43
    Uptown Station, Normal, IL
    8:49 AMSummit Station, Summit, IL
    $331One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • Amtrak300 Lincoln Service
    7:06 AM1h43
    Uptown Station, Normal, IL
    8:49 AMSummit Station, Summit, IL
    $331One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • envoy airAA3521
    5:00 AM1h02
    Bloomington-Normal
    6:02 AMO'Hare International Airport
    $4551One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Amtrak300 Lincoln Service
    7:06 AM2h19
    Uptown Station, Normal, IL
    9:25 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    $341One-way
    0 transfers
  • Amtrak306 Lincoln Service
    8:17 PM1h43
    Uptown Station, Normal, IL
    10:00 PMSummit Station, Summit, IL
    $411One-way
    0 transfers
  • Amtrak306 Lincoln Service
    8:17 PM2h26
    Uptown Station, Normal, IL
    10:43 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    $421One-way
    0 transfers
  • Greyhound
    1:10 PM5h35
    Bloomington, Normal Railway Station
    6:45 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    $501One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus+Greyhound
    11:20 AM4h45
    Bloomington, Normal Railway Station
    4:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    $731One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus+Greyhound
    2:30 PM7h35
    Bloomington, Normal Railway Station
    10:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    $731One-way
    1 transfer
  • envoy airAA3367
    1:35 PM1h14
    Bloomington-Normal
    2:49 PMO'Hare International Airport
    $4551One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL

Travel to Chicago, IL easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Bloomington, IL and Chicago, IL including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL is a train with an average price of $36 (€29).

This is compared to other travel options from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL:

A train is $14 (€12) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL costing on average $50 (€40).

The fastest way to travel from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL is by train with an average journey time of 2h 25m.

Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:

Bus takes on average 5h 20m.

The distance from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL is approximately 117 miles (189 km).
The average frequency per day from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL is:
  • Around 4 trains per day.
  • Around 2 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Bloomington, IL and Chicago, IL as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL:
  • Trains mostly depart from Uptown Station, Normal, IL and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL.
  • Buses mostly depart from Bloomington, Normal Railway Station and arrive in Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
  • Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL with the following travel companies:
  • 4 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
  • 1 direct buses per day with Greyhound.
Omio customers who travel from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL often also extend their vacation to go to San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, Indianapolis, IN, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, MN. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Chicago, IL and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Chicago, IL to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Chicago, IL, you can explore the Museum of Science and Industry and its interactive exhibits, enjoy the vibrant neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Lincoln Park, take a river cruise to view iconic architecture, and attend a live performance at the historic Chicago Theatre. Visit Lincoln Park Zoo for a free and enjoyable day. For sights, don't miss Millennium Park with its modern art, the renowned Art Institute of Chicago, the entertainment hub of Navy Pier, panoramic views from Willis Tower Skydeck, and the fascinating exhibits at the Field Museum.
To fully experience Chicago, IL, plan for at least 3-4 days to visit key attractions such as Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, and explore diverse neighborhoods.
HomeTravelTravel to USATravel to Chicago, ILHow to travel from Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL

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