How to travel from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI

Wed, Sep 30
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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €25 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 54m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €25, while a train costs an average of €28.

Distance: 83 miles (134 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

€28

Average price

€25

Average price

Cheapest

€18

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 54m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 24m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 19m

Average total duration

1h 49m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 33m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Amtrak

Most popular train company

FlixBus

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 Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI is a bus with an average price of €25.

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

A bus is €2 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI costing on average €28.

The fastest way to travel from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI is by train with an average journey time of 1h 54m.

Other travel options to Milwaukee, WI take longer:

Bus takes on average 2h 19m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 9m sooner (1h 24m by train vs 1h 33m by car). Tickets start at around €28 compared to roughly €18 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Travel options
from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI

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

Our recommendation

bus

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

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    4:30 PM1h55
    Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    6:25 PMMilwaukee, General Mitchell International Airport (Wisconsin Coach ORD-MKE Bus Stop), WI
    €191One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    4:30 PM1h55
    Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    6:25 PMMilwaukee, General Mitchell International Airport (Wisconsin Coach ORD-MKE Bus Stop), WI
    €191One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Amtrak329 Hiawatha Service
    6:10 AM1h13
    Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    7:23 AMAirport Amtrak Station, Milwaukee, WI
    €241One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Amtrak329 Hiawatha Service
    6:10 AM1h39
    Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    7:49 AMMilwaukee Intermodal Station, Milwaukee, WI
    €241One-way
    0 transfers
  • Amtrak341 Hiawatha Service
    8:05 PM1h13
    Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    9:18 PMAirport Amtrak Station, Milwaukee, WI
    €251One-way
    0 transfers
  • Amtrak331 Hiawatha Service
    8:25 AM1h13
    Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    9:38 AMAirport Amtrak Station, Milwaukee, WI
    €251One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    4:30 PM2h15
    Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    6:45 PMMilwaukee, Intermodal Station
    €191One-way
    0 transfers
  • Greyhound
    3:00 PM2h00
    Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    5:00 PMMilwaukee, Intermodal Station
    €201One-way
    0 transfers
  • Greyhound
    7:10 AM1h20
    Chicago, Cumberland Blue Line Station, IL
    8:30 AMMilwaukee, Intermodal Station
    €221One-way
    0 transfers

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FAQs: Travel from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI

Travel to Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee, WI.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI is a bus with an average price of €25.

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

A bus is €2 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI costing on average €28.

The fastest way to travel from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI is by train with an average journey time of 1h 54m.

Other travel options to Milwaukee, WI take longer:

Bus takes on average 2h 19m.

The distance from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI is approximately 83 miles (134 km).
The average frequency per day from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI is:
  • Around 12 trains per day.
  • Around 12 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI 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 Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI:
  • Trains mostly depart from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and arrive in Milwaukee Intermodal Station, Milwaukee, WI.
  • Buses mostly depart from Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station and arrive in Milwaukee, Intermodal Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Amtrak to go to Milwaukee, WI by train.
  • Travel with Infobus, Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Milwaukee, WI by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI with the following travel companies:
  • 12 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
  • 12 direct buses per day with Infobus, Greyhound, FlixBus.
Omio customers who travel from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI often also extend their vacation to go to New York, NY, Denver, CO, Boston, MA, Minneapolis, MN, Dallas, TX. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Milwaukee, WI and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Milwaukee, WI to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
To fully experience Milwaukee, WI, it is recommended to spend 2 to 3 days. This allows time to explore its vibrant arts scene, enjoy local breweries, visit the Milwaukee Art Museum, and experience the historic Third Ward district.
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