Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago, IL to Washington, DC
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $69. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 55m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.9kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $69, and a flight costs an average of $77.
Distance: 594 miles (956 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
$198 Average price | $302 Average price | $135 Average price Cheapest |
19h 13m Average total duration 18h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 55m Average total duration Fastest 1h 55m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 20h 5m Average total duration 19h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.9 - 5.7kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.4kg 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 Washington, DC
How to get from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

Cheapest

Fastest
AA1200Other options
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UA1357Find 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 Washington, DC
Travel to Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC.

This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC:
A bus is $8 (€6) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $77 (€61).
A bus is $12 (€10) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $82 (€65).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Train takes on average 17h 30m.
Bus takes on average 16h 30m.
- Around 40 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 Washington, DC 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 Ronald Reagan National Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and arrive in Washington Union Station, Washington, DC.
- Buses mostly depart from Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station and arrive in Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Washington, DC by train.
- Travel with American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines to go to Washington, DC by flight.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Washington, DC by bus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 17 direct flights per day with American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines.
- 2 direct buses per day with Greyhound.
Travelling from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC: related information
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