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Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $58 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 24m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $58, while a flight costs an average of $569.
Distance: 172 miles (278 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$65 Average price | $58 Average price Cheapest | $569 Average price | $58 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 24m Average total duration Fastest 3h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 14m Average total duration 5h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 35m Average total duration 4h 35m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.8 - 1.7kg 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 East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $7 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $65 (€54).
A bus is $511 (€430) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $569 (€478).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 14m.
Flight takes on average 6h 35m.
Tickets start at around $65 (€54) compared to roughly $58 (€48) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-7.12 (€-5.98). The journey takes 3h 54m versus 3h 14m 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 East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL
How to get from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 365 Blue Water8:54 AM3h51East Lansing Station, East Lansing, MI11:45 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$371One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 365 Blue Water8:54 AM3h51East Lansing Station, East Lansing, MI11:45 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$371One-way0 transfers
Fastest
AA34913:59 PM1h26Lansing Capital Region International Airport4:25 PMO'Hare International Airport$4411One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 8555 Connecting Bus · 355 Wolverine1:00 PM10h25East Lansing Station, East Lansing, MI10:25 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$551One-way1 transfer
- AA39771:35 PM1h34Detroit Wayne County Airport2:09 PMO'Hare International Airport$2541One-way0 transfers
- AA41058:54 PM1h36Detroit Wayne County Airport9:30 PMO'Hare International Airport$2541One-way0 transfers
- AA410310:22 AM1h38Detroit Wayne County Airport11:00 AMO'Hare International Airport$2541One-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 East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL
Travel to Chicago, IL 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 East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL.
This is compared to other travel options from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $7 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $65 (€54).
A bus is $511 (€430) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $569 (€478).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 14m.
Flight takes on average 6h 35m.
- Around 56 flights per day.
- Around 1 trains per day.
- Around 1 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between East Lansing, MI and Chicago, IL as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Detroit Wayne County Airport and arrive in O'Hare International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from East Lansing Station, East Lansing, MI and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL.
- Buses mostly depart from Lansing, Delta Center, MI and arrive in Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station.
- Travel with United, American Airlines, Republic Airlines, skywest airlines, psa airlines to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, Greyhound to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- 9 direct flights per day with United, skywest airlines, psa airlines.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
Travelling from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL: related information
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