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Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $285 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 8h 14m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.9 - 2.7kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $285, while a flight costs an average of $606.
Distance: 1837 miles (2957 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
$592 Average price | $606 Average price | $285 Average price Cheapest |
59h 9m Average total duration 58h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 14m Average total duration Fastest 6h 14m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 57h 6m Average total duration 56h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.9 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.9 - 17.7kg CO2 emissions | 3.0 - 7.4kg 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.
Compare ways to travel from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL
Compare the available ways to get from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $308 (€257) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $592 (€495).
A bus is $321 (€269) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $606 (€507).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 57h 6m.
Train takes on average 59h 9m.
Travel optionsfrom San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL
How to get from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus+ · · 8:15 AM54h10San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)4:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1821One-way3 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus+ · · 8:15 AM54h10San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)4:25 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1821One-way3 transfers
Fastest
- UA27406:30 AM4h22Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport12:52 PMO'Hare International Airport$3391One-way0 transfers
Other options
- · · · 3:05 PM62h55San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)8:00 AMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$1981One-way3 transfers
- · · · 3:05 PM59h15San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)4:20 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1991One-way3 transfers
- · +FlixBus12:35 AM61h30San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)4:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$2221One-way2 transfers
AA2094 · AA32367:16 PM7h44Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport5:00 AMO'Hare International Airport$1831One-way1 transfer- AA2094 · AA11487:16 PM8h43Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport5:59 AMO'Hare International Airport$1831One-way1 transfer
- AA2046 · AA189412:02 PM9h57Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport11:59 PMO'Hare International Airport$2231One-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 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 Jose, 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 Jose, CA to Chicago, IL.
This is compared to other travel options from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $308 (€257) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $592 (€495).
A bus is $321 (€269) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $606 (€507).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 57h 6m.
Train takes on average 59h 9m.
- Around 65 flights per day.
- Around 3 trains per day.
- Around 3 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Jose, CA and Chicago, IL as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL.
- Buses mostly depart from San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) and arrive in Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station.
- Flights mostly depart from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and arrive in O'Hare International Airport.
- Travel with Greyhound to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- Travel with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United, skywest airlines to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- 2 direct flights per day with United.
Travelling from San Jose, CA to Chicago, IL: related information
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