4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago, IL to Austin, TX
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €139 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 2m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.5 - 1.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €139, while a train costs an average of €181.
Distance: 977 miles (1573 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€181 Average price | €139 Average price Cheapest | €180 Average price | €196 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
29h 5m Average total duration 28h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 23h 43m Average total duration 23h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 2m Average total duration Fastest 4h 2m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 16h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.6 - 3.9kg CO2 emissions | 4.7 - 9.4kg 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 Austin, TX:
A bus is €42 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX costing on average €180.
A bus is €42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX costing on average €181.
Other travel options to Austin, TX take longer:
Bus takes on average 23h 43m.
Train takes on average 29h 5m.
Tickets start at around €181 compared to roughly €196 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €16. The journey takes 28h 35m versus 16h 52m 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 Austin, TX
How to get from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus++FlixBus · FlixBus9:45 AM31h10Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station4:55 PMAustin, E 9th St / S I-35 Frontage Rd, TX€1061One-way3 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus++FlixBus · FlixBus9:45 AM31h10Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station4:55 PMAustin, E 9th St / S I-35 Frontage Rd, TX€1061One-way3 transfers
Fastest
- AA11218:05 AM2h45O'Hare International Airport10:50 AMAustin-Bergstrom International Airport€2051One-way0 transfers
Other options
- FlixBus++FlixBus · FlixBus9:45 AM31h30Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station5:15 PMAustin, South Congress Transit Center, TX€1061One-way3 transfers
- · · · 10:30 PM33h30Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station8:00 AMAustin, South Congress Transit Center, TX€1071One-way4 transfers
- · · · 10:30 PM33h55Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station8:25 AMAustin, E 9th St / S I-35 Frontage Rd, TX€1071One-way4 transfers
- AA4383:00 PM2h45O'Hare International Airport5:45 PMAustin-Bergstrom International Airport€2051One-way0 transfers
- AA9359:13 PM2h46O'Hare International Airport11:59 PMAustin-Bergstrom International Airport€2051One-way0 transfers
- AA24337:08 PM2h50O'Hare International Airport9:58 PMAustin-Bergstrom International Airport€2051One-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 Chicago, IL to Austin, TX
Travel to Austin, TX 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 Austin, TX.
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX:
A bus is €42 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX costing on average €180.
A bus is €42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX costing on average €181.
Other travel options to Austin, TX take longer:
Bus takes on average 23h 43m.
Train takes on average 29h 5m.
- Around 52 flights per day.
- Around 10 buses per day.
- Around 4 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Chicago, IL and Austin, TX 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 Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and arrive in Austin Station, Austin, TX.
- Buses mostly depart from Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station and arrive in Austin, Shady Lane (Eastside Bus Plaza), TX.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Austin, TX by train.
- Travel with American Airlines, United, Spirit Airlines to go to Austin, TX by flight.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus, Chicago Transit (CTA) to go to Austin, TX by bus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 7 direct flights per day with American Airlines, United.
Travelling from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX: related information
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