4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $321 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 8h 5m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.8 - 2.5kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $321, while a train costs an average of $652.
Distance: 1729 miles (2784 km)
Compare flight with
Most popular Flight | Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$514 Average price | $652 Average price | $321 Average price Cheapest | $424 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 5m Average total duration Fastest 6h 5m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 51h 14m Average total duration 50h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 50h 57m Average total duration 50h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 30h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
8.4 - 16.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.8 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.8 - 7.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular airline |  Most popular train company |  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 San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $193 (€162) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $514 (€432).
A bus is $331 (€278) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $652 (€548).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 50h 57m.
Train takes on average 51h 14m.
You'll arrive about 23h 56m sooner (6h 5m by flight vs 30h 1m by car). Tickets start at around $514 (€432) compared to roughly $424 (€356) in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you get time back and avoid a long drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group, want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.
Travel optionsfrom San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL
How to get from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
AA206510:40 PM4h09San Diego International Airport4:49 AMO'Hare International Airport$1421One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- AA206510:40 PM4h09San Diego International Airport4:49 AMO'Hare International Airport$1421One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- UA54010:30 PM4h03San Diego International Airport4:33 AMO'Hare International Airport$1941One-way0 transfers
Other options
FlixBus+ · · 12:40 PM49h45San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center4:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1861One-way3 transfers- FlixBus+ · · 1:10 PM49h15San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA4:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1931One-way3 transfers
- FlixBus · FlixBus+ · 9:25 AM53h00San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA4:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1941One-way4 transfers
- AA16967:53 AM4h22San Diego International Airport2:15 PMO'Hare International Airport$1421One-way0 transfers
- AA234310:06 AM4h23San Diego International Airport4:29 PMO'Hare International Airport$1421One-way0 transfers
- AA21311:12 PM4h30San Diego International Airport7:42 PMO'Hare International Airport$1421One-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
Compare train, bus, 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 San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL.
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $193 (€162) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $514 (€432).
A bus is $331 (€278) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $652 (€548).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 50h 57m.
Train takes on average 51h 14m.
- Around 55 flights per day.
- Around 11 buses per day.
- Around 3 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Diego, CA and Chicago, IL as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from San Diego International Airport and arrive in O'Hare International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL.
- Buses mostly depart from San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA and arrive in Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station.
- Travel with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- Travel with Greyhound to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- 11 direct flights per day with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United.
Travelling from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL: related information
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