Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $60. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 13h 5m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.8 - 2.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $60, and a bus costs an average of $174.
Distance: 1741 miles (2802 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
$345 Average price | $279 Average price Cheapest | $394 Average price |
26h 57m Average total duration 26h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 16h 5m Average total duration Fastest 13h 5m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 47h 45m Average total duration 47h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.8 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.4 - 16.8kg CO2 emissions | 2.8 - 7.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA
How to get from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
UA2418 · UA4679Cheapest
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UA1851Other options
319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner · 3 Southwest Chief
5 California Zephyr · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK
381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief
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FlixBus
UA2347 · UA2411
UA270 · UA2411
AS349 · AS703Find 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 Los Angeles, CA
Travel to Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles, CA.

This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA:
A flight is $114 (€93) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $174 (€142).
A flight is $133 (€108) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $193 (€157).
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 43h 32m.
Bus takes on average 46h 14m.
- Around 99 flights per day.
- Around 15 buses per day.
- Around 9 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and arrive in Union Station, Los Angeles, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station and arrive in Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Los Angeles, CA by train.
- Travel with Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, United, Alaska Airlines to go to Los Angeles, CA by flight.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Los Angeles, CA by bus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 16 direct flights per day with Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, United.
Travelling from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA: related information
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