4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Boston, MA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $85. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 9m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.4 - 1.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $85, and a train costs an average of $90.
Distance: 850 miles (1368 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$415 Average price | $225 Average price | $207 Average price Cheapest | $301 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
22h 45m Average total duration 22h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 9m Average total duration Fastest 3h 9m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 25h 5m Average total duration 24h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 14h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 4.1 - 8.2kg CO2 emissions | 1.4 - 3.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  Most popular bus company | 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 Boston, MA to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $18 (€15) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL costing on average $225 (€182).
A bus is $208 (€168) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL costing on average $415 (€336).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 22h 15m.
Bus takes on average 24h 35m.
Travel optionsfrom Boston, MA to Chicago, IL
How to get from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus+6:00 AM25h10Boston, Bus Terminal South Station6:10 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$2121One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus+6:00 AM25h10Boston, Bus Terminal South Station6:10 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$2121One-way1 transfer
Fastest
UA16913:08 PM2h52Edward L. Logan International Airport5:00 PMO'Hare International Airport$2741One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 449 Lake Shore Limited12:57 PM22h15Back Bay station, Boston, MA10:12 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$3351One-way0 transfers
- 449 Lake Shore Limited12:50 PM22h22South Station, Boston, MA10:12 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$3351One-way0 transfers
- 449 Lake Shore Limited · 49 Lake Shore Limited12:57 PM22h15Back Bay station, Boston, MA10:12 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$3611One-way1 transfer
- · 12:30 PM22h30Boston, Bus Terminal South Station10:00 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$2141One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus10:00 PM33h10Boston, Bus Terminal South Station6:10 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$2191One-way2 transfers
- FlixBus+ · 5:15 PM27h50Boston, Bus Terminal South Station8:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$2281One-way2 transfers
- AA302210:35 AM2h57Edward L. Logan International Airport12:32 PMO'Hare International Airport$2321One-way0 transfers
- AA33245:05 AM2h57Edward L. Logan International Airport7:02 AMO'Hare International Airport$2321One-way0 transfers
B63116:00 AM3h00Edward L. Logan International Airport8:00 AMO'Hare International Airport$2321One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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FAQs: Travel from Boston, MA 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 Boston, MA to Chicago, IL.
This is compared to other travel options from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $18 (€15) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL costing on average $225 (€182).
A bus is $208 (€168) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL costing on average $415 (€336).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 22h 15m.
Bus takes on average 24h 35m.
- Around 47 flights per day.
- Around 6 buses per day.
- Around 5 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Boston, MA and Chicago, IL as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Edward L. Logan International Airport and arrive in O'Hare International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from South Station, Boston, MA and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL.
- Buses mostly depart from Boston, Bus Terminal South Station and arrive in Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus, Peter Pan Bus to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- Travel with American Airlines, United, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Republic Airlines to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- 11 direct flights per day with American Airlines, United, JetBlue Airways, Republic Airlines.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL: related information
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