4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, 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 an average ticket price of $119 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 3m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.3 - 0.9kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $119, while a flight costs an average of $466.
Distance: 594 miles (956 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$283 Average price | $119 Average price Cheapest | $466 Average price | $236 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
19h 57m Average total duration 19h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 19h 23m Average total duration 18h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 3m Average total duration Fastest 3h 3m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 10h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.0 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions | 2.9 - 5.7kg 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 Washington, DC:
A bus is $164 (€138) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $283 (€237).
A bus is $347 (€291) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $466 (€391).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 19h 23m.
Train takes on average 19h 57m.
Tickets start at around $283 (€237) compared to roughly $236 (€199) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-46.19 (€-38.81). The journey takes 19h 27m versus 10h 43m 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 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.
- 6:30 AM17h20Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station12:50 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$1091One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 6:30 AM17h20Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station12:50 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$1091One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- UA4825:59 AM1h55O'Hare International Airport8:54 AMRonald Reagan National Airport$3161One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 41 Floridian6:40 PM17h30Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$1751One-way0 transfers
- · · 11:35 PM24h15Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station12:50 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$1451One-way2 transfers
- 6:00 PM16h35Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station11:35 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$1731One-way0 transfers
- · · 10:15 AM19h30Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL6:45 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$1821One-way2 transfers
AA35237:59 AM2h02O'Hare International Airport11:01 AMBaltimore/Washington International Airport$2281One-way0 transfers
AA32229:12 PM2h04O'Hare International Airport12:16 AMBaltimore/Washington International Airport$2281One-way0 transfers- AA2842 · AA12165:00 AM4h14O'Hare International Airport10:14 AMBaltimore/Washington International Airport$2381One-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 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 $164 (€138) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $283 (€237).
A bus is $347 (€291) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $466 (€391).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 19h 23m.
Train takes on average 19h 57m.
- Around 69 flights per day.
- Around 7 buses per day.
- Around 2 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Chicago, IL and Washington, DC as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from O'Hare International Airport and arrive in Dulles International 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 Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Washington, DC by bus.
- Travel with American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines, skywest airlines, Sun Country Airlines, JetBlue Airways, psa airlines to go to Washington, DC by flight.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 2 direct buses per day with Greyhound.
- 28 direct flights per day with American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines.
Travelling from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC: related information
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