4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago, IL to Denver, CO
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $162 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 7h 39m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.4 - 1.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $162, while a flight costs an average of $585.
Distance: 916 miles (1475 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$386 Average price | $162 Average price Cheapest | $585 Average price | $212 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
19h 25m Average total duration 18h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 25h 33m Average total duration 25h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 39m Average total duration Fastest 5h 39m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 14h 22m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 3.7kg CO2 emissions | 4.4 - 8.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus 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 Chicago, IL to Denver, CO:
A bus is $225 (€188) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO costing on average $386 (€323).
A bus is $424 (€354) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO costing on average $585 (€490).
Other travel options to Denver, CO take longer:
Train takes on average 19h 25m.
Bus takes on average 25h 33m.
Tickets start at around $386 (€323) compared to roughly $212 (€177) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -$173 (-€145). The journey takes 18h 55m versus 14h 22m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Travel optionsfrom Chicago, IL to Denver, CO
How to get from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 12:25 PM21h35Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station9:00 AMDenver, Union Station$881One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 12:25 PM21h35Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station9:00 AMDenver, Union Station$881One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- UA28066:00 AM2h39O'Hare International Airport7:39 AMDenver International Airport$3291One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 5 California Zephyr2:00 PM18h56Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL7:56 AMUnion Station, Denver, CO$3121One-way0 transfers
- 381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr7:40 AM25h16Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL7:56 AMUnion Station, Denver, CO$3191One-way1 transfer
- · · · 10:50 PM35h40Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station9:30 AMDenver, Union Station$1321One-way3 transfers
- · · · 11:10 PM34h45Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL8:55 AMDenver, Union Station$1411One-way3 transfers
- · · 2:45 PM26h20Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station4:05 PMDenver, Union Station$1491One-way2 transfers
F914836:30 AM2h49O'Hare International Airport8:19 AMDenver International Airport$1651One-way0 transfers- F91341 · F913238:30 AM8h24O'Hare International Airport3:54 PMDenver International Airport$2031One-way1 transfer
- F93241 · F9263112:37 PM10h12O'Hare International Airport9:49 PMDenver International Airport$2091One-way1 transfer
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 Chicago, IL to Denver, CO
Travel to Denver, CO 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 Chicago, IL to Denver, CO.
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO:
A bus is $225 (€188) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO costing on average $386 (€323).
A bus is $424 (€354) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO costing on average $585 (€490).
Other travel options to Denver, CO take longer:
Train takes on average 19h 25m.
Bus takes on average 25h 33m.
- Around 89 flights per day.
- Around 4 buses per day.
- Around 2 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Chicago, IL and Denver, CO as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from O'Hare International Airport and arrive in Denver International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and arrive in Union Station, Denver, CO.
- Buses mostly depart from Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station and arrive in Denver, Union Station.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Denver, CO by train.
- Travel with Greyhound, Infobus to go to Denver, CO by bus.
- Travel with frontier airlines, American Airlines, United, Alaska Airlines, Sun Country Airlines to go to Denver, CO by flight.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 1 direct buses per day with Greyhound.
- 14 direct flights per day with frontier airlines, American Airlines, United.
Travelling from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
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