Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $84. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 1m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.8 - 2.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $84, and a bus costs an average of $141.
Distance: 1741 miles (2802 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
$332 Average price | $264 Average price Cheapest | $355 Average price |
48h 35m Average total duration 48h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 1m Average total duration Fastest 5h 1m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 47h 14m Average total duration 46h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.8 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.4 - 16.8kg CO2 emissions | 2.8 - 7.0kg 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL:
A flight is $68 (€55) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $332 (€269).
A flight is $90 (€73) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $355 (€287).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 46h 44m.
Train takes on average 48h 5m.
Travel optionsfrom Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL
How to get from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
AA3136 · AA110611:55 PM7h42Los Angeles International Airport9:37 AMO'Hare International Airport$1861One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
AA3136 · AA110611:55 PM7h42Los Angeles International Airport9:37 AMO'Hare International Airport$1861One-way1 transfer
Fastest
AA14335:50 PM4h09Los Angeles International Airport11:59 PMO'Hare International Airport$3261One-way0 transfers
Other options
4 Southwest Chief · 318 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner5:19 PM48h41Union Station, Los Angeles, CA8:00 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$2671One-way1 transfer
4 Southwest Chief5:19 PM43h23Union Station, Los Angeles, CA2:42 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$2911One-way0 transfers
4 Southwest Chief · 382 Carl Sandburg5:19 PM50h32Union Station, Los Angeles, CA9:51 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$3101One-way1 transfer
· +
FlixBus11:30 PM52h15Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA5:45 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$2211One-way2 transfers
FlixBus+
+
FlixBus9:35 AM52h30Los Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA4:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$2211One-way2 transfers
FlixBus+
· · 1:20 PM64h40Los Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA8:00 AMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$2231One-way4 transfers
AA2785 · AA29498:19 PM8h25Los Angeles International Airport6:44 AMO'Hare International Airport$1861One-way1 transfer
UA2854 · UA3688:22 PM7h31Burbank5:53 AMO'Hare International Airport$2091One-way1 transfer
UA2386 · UA177710:53 AM8h35Burbank9:28 PMO'Hare International Airport$2091One-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
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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FAQs: Travel from Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL.

This is compared to other travel options from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL:
A flight is $68 (€55) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $332 (€269).
A flight is $90 (€73) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $355 (€287).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 46h 44m.
Train takes on average 48h 5m.
- Around 118 flights per day.
- Around 9 buses per day.
- Around 7 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Los Angeles International Airport and arrive in O'Hare International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Union Station, Los Angeles, CA and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL.
- Buses mostly depart from Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA and arrive in Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus, LA DOT to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- Travel with American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United, Alaska Airlines to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- 17 direct flights per day with American Airlines, United.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL: related information
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