4.9
4.6
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 57m. 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 | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$214 Average price | $361 Average price | $134 Average price Cheapest | $239 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
18h 7m Average total duration 17h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 57m Average total duration Fastest 1h 57m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 19h 16m Average total duration 18h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.9 - 5.7kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  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.
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC:
A bus is $80 (€66) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $214 (€176).
A bus is $227 (€187) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $361 (€297).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Train takes on average 17h 37m.
Bus takes on average 18h 46m.
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.
- 6:00 PM16h35Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station11:35 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$971One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 6:00 PM16h35Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station11:35 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$971One-way0 transfers
Fastest
UA10776:00 AM1h54O'Hare International Airport8:54 AMRonald Reagan National Airport$2801One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 41 Floridian6:40 PM17h30Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$2431One-way0 transfers
- 48 Lake Shore Limited · 177 Northeast Regional · 6077 AMTRAK9:30 PM28h30Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL3:00 AMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$3401One-way2 transfers
- 41 Floridian · 42 Pennsylvanian · 173 Northeast Regional6:40 PM23h58Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL7:38 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$3491One-way2 transfers
- 6:30 AM17h15Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station12:45 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$1031One-way0 transfers
- · · 11:10 PM24h35Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL12:45 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$1241One-way2 transfers
- · · 10:50 PM24h55Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station12:45 AMWashington, Columbus Circle, Union Station$1241One-way2 transfers
- UA12696:30 AM1h57O'Hare International Airport9:27 AMBaltimore/Washington International Airport$2431One-way0 transfers
- UA21242:30 PM2h06O'Hare International Airport5:36 PMBaltimore/Washington International Airport$2431One-way0 transfers
- UA4406:20 PM2h06O'Hare International Airport9:26 PMBaltimore/Washington International Airport$2431One-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 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 $80 (€66) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $214 (€176).
A bus is $227 (€187) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC costing on average $361 (€297).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Train takes on average 17h 37m.
Bus takes on average 18h 46m.
- Around 46 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 Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Washington, DC by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Washington, DC by train.
- Travel with American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines to go to Washington, DC by flight.
- 2 direct buses per day with Greyhound.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 19 direct flights per day with American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines.
Travelling from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC: related information
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