How to travel from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA

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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $95. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 38m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.4 - 1.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $95, and a flight costs an average of $69.

Distance: 832 miles (1340 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Flight
Bus
Driving

$216

Average price

$257

Average price

$146

Average price

Cheapest

$193

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

20h 10m

Average total duration

19h 40m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 38m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 38m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

24h 6m

Average total duration

23h 36m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

13h 29m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.4 - 1.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

4.0 - 8.0kg

CO2 emissions

1.3 - 3.4kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Amtrak

Most popular train company

Spirit Airlines

Most popular airline

FlixBus

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA is a bus with an average price of $146 (€117).

This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA:

A bus is $70 (€56) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA costing on average $216 (€174).

A bus is $111 (€89) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA costing on average $257 (€207).

The fastest way to travel from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 38m.

Other travel options to New Orleans, LA take longer:

Train takes on average 19h 40m.

Bus takes on average 23h 36m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA among Omio's users.

Travel options
from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA

How to get from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

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

  • Greyhound ·
    11:10 PM30h20
    Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL
    5:30 AMNew Orleans, LA
    $1881One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • Greyhound ·
    11:10 PM30h20
    Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL
    5:30 AMNew Orleans, LA
    $1881One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • UnitedUA2778
    7:00 AM2h22
    O'Hare International Airport
    9:22 AMNew Orleans, Louis Armstrong International
    $2791One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Amtrak393 Illini · 59 City Of New Orleans
    4:05 PM21h42
    Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    1:47 PMUnion Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA
    $2081One-way
    1 transfer
  • Amtrak59 City Of New Orleans
    6:05 PM19h42
    Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    1:47 PMUnion Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA
    $2281One-way
    0 transfers
  • Amtrak393 Illini · 59 City Of New Orleans
    4:05 PM21h42
    Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    1:47 PMUnion Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA
    $2411One-way
    1 transfer
  • Greyhound ·
    10:50 PM30h40
    Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    5:30 AMNew Orleans, LA
    $1881One-way
    1 transfer
  • Greyhound · ·
    2:45 PM26h05
    Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    4:50 PMNew Orleans, LA
    $1901One-way
    2 transfers
  • Greyhound ·
    10:15 AM30h35
    Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL
    4:50 PMNew Orleans, LA
    $2191One-way
    1 transfer
  • American AirlinesAA1423
    3:45 PM2h25
    O'Hare International Airport
    6:10 PMNew Orleans, Louis Armstrong International
    $2361One-way
    0 transfers
  • envoy airAA3698
    9:19 PM2h26
    O'Hare International Airport
    11:45 PMNew Orleans, Louis Armstrong International
    $2361One-way
    0 transfers
  • American AirlinesAA2499 · AA2237
    4:57 PM4h49
    O'Hare International Airport
    9:46 PMNew Orleans, Louis Armstrong International
    $2461One-way
    1 transfer

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA

Travel to New Orleans, LA 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 New Orleans, LA.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA is a bus with an average price of $146 (€117).

This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA:

A bus is $70 (€56) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA costing on average $216 (€174).

A bus is $111 (€89) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA costing on average $257 (€207).

The fastest way to travel from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 38m.

Other travel options to New Orleans, LA take longer:

Train takes on average 19h 40m.

Bus takes on average 23h 36m.

The distance from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA is approximately 832 miles (1340 km).
The average frequency per day from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA is:
  • Around 34 flights per day.
  • Around 6 buses per day.
  • Around 3 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA:
  • Flights mostly depart from O'Hare International Airport and arrive in New Orleans, Louis Armstrong International.
  • Trains mostly depart from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and arrive in Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA.
  • Buses mostly depart from Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station and arrive in New Orleans, LA.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Amtrak to go to New Orleans, LA by train.
  • Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to New Orleans, LA by bus.
  • Travel with Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines to go to New Orleans, LA by flight.
Yes, there are direct services available from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA with the following travel companies:
  • 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
  • 5 direct flights per day with Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines.
Omio customers who travel from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA often also extend their vacation to go to Houston, TX, Baton Rouge, LA, Biloxi, MS, Los Angeles, CA, Memphis, TN. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between New Orleans, LA and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in New Orleans, LA to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In New Orleans, LA, you can enjoy traditional jazz performances at Preservation Hall, relax in Audubon Park with its zoo and golf course, and experience live music on Frenchmen Street. Take a scenic cruise on the Steamboat Natchez and explore City Park's botanical gardens and art museum. Discover the French Quarter's vibrant nightlife and cultural heritage, visit Jackson Square and the historic St. Louis Cathedral, admire the Garden District's antebellum mansions, and explore the National WWII Museum's immersive exhibits.
Three to four days are recommended to fully explore New Orleans, allowing time to visit its historic neighborhoods, enjoy live music, savor local cuisine, and experience cultural landmarks such as the French Quarter and Garden District.
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