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Travel Information
Compare train, flight, and bus for San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train 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 flight with prices starting from $84. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 32m. 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 train costs an average of $201.
Distance: 1729 miles (2784 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
$531 Average price | $264 Average price Cheapest | $345 Average price |
48h 39m Average total duration 48h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 32m Average total duration Fastest 4h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 49h 18m Average total duration 48h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.8 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.4 - 16.7kg 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.
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.
UA5515 · UA141112:57 PM6h20McClellan–Palomar Airport9:17 PMO'Hare International Airport$3831One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
FlixBus+undefined · undefined · undefined12:40 PM49h45San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center4:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$3381One-way3 transfers
Fastest
AA236610:40 PM4h05San Diego International Airport4:45 AMO'Hare International Airport$5141One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief2:10 PM46h32Old Town Station, San Diego, CA2:42 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$3821One-way1 transfer
- 581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief2:01 PM46h41Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA2:42 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$3821One-way1 transfer
- 785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK · 6 California Zephyr4:10 PM68h29Old Town Station, San Diego, CA2:39 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4321One-way2 transfers
- FlixBus+undefined · undefined · undefined1:10 PM49h15San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA4:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$3431One-way3 transfers
- FlixBus · FlixBus+undefined · undefined9:25 AM53h00San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA4:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$3431One-way4 transfers
- undefined · undefined+FlixBus9:50 AM52h15San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA4:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$3511One-way2 transfers
- UA5520 · UA10238:30 AM8h29McClellan–Palomar Airport6:59 PMO'Hare International Airport$3831One-way1 transfer
- UA5515 · UA225812:57 PM8h01McClellan–Palomar Airport10:58 PMO'Hare International Airport$3831One-way1 transfer
- AA5186:15 AM4h18San Diego International Airport12:33 PMO'Hare International Airport$4531One-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 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 flight is $62 (€50) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $146 (€117).
A flight is $117 (€94) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $201 (€161).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 46h 41m.
Bus takes on average 48h 35m.
- Around 37 flights per day.
- Around 12 buses per day.
- Around 5 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, flight, and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- 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.
- Flights mostly depart from San Diego International Airport and arrive in O'Hare International Airport.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- Travel with Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, United to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- Travel with Greyhound to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- 8 direct flights per day with American Airlines, United.
Travelling from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
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