4.9
4.6
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 $104. 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 $104, and a bus costs an average of $163.
Distance: 1741 miles (2802 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$355 Average price | $289 Average price Cheapest | $371 Average price | $422 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
26h 38m Average total duration 26h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 16h 5m Average total duration Fastest 13h 5m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 47h 20m Average total duration 46h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 29h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.8 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.4 - 16.8kg CO2 emissions | 2.8 - 7.0kg 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 Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA:
A flight is $66 (€53) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $355 (€288).
A flight is $82 (€66) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $371 (€301).
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 26h 8m.
Bus takes on average 46h 50m.
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.
UA190212:45 PM6h57O'Hare International Airport5:42 PMBurbank$2401One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- UA190212:45 PM6h57O'Hare International Airport5:42 PMBurbank$2401One-way0 transfers
Fastest
AA23646:59 PM4h24O'Hare International Airport9:23 PMLos Angeles International Airport$4641One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 3 Southwest Chief1:30 PM44h42Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL8:12 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3471One-way0 transfers
- 381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief7:40 AM50h32Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL8:12 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3641One-way1 transfer
- 27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight · 3810 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner3:05 PM76h10Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL5:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$8011One-way4 transfers
- · · · 11:10 PM49h20Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL10:30 PMLos Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA$2801One-way3 transfers
- · · · 10:50 PM49h40Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station10:30 PMLos Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA$2801One-way3 transfers
- · · +
FlixBus11:10 PM66h20Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL3:30 PMLos Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA$3281One-way3 transfers
- AA2434 · AA16685:00 AM5h50O'Hare International Airport8:50 AMLos Angeles International Airport$2431One-way1 transfer
- AA3261 · AA32045:50 PM6h11O'Hare International Airport10:01 PMLos Angeles International Airport$2431One-way1 transfer
- AA760 · AA19965:00 AM6h54O'Hare International Airport9:54 AMLos Angeles International Airport$2431One-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 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 $66 (€53) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $355 (€288).
A flight is $82 (€66) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $371 (€301).
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 26h 8m.
Bus takes on average 46h 50m.
- Around 112 flights per day.
- Around 14 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 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.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Los Angeles, CA by train.
- 18 direct flights per day with Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, United.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA: related information
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