How to travel from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL

Tue, Aug 25
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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $30. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 23m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $30, and a flight costs an average of $107.

Distance: 260 miles (419 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight
Driving

$59

Average price

Cheapest

$68

Average price

$410

Average price

$61

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 10m

Average total duration

5h 40m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 29m

Average total duration

5h 59m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 23m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 23m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

4h 21m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.4 - 1.0kg

CO2 emissions

1.3 - 2.5kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Amtrak

Most popular train company

Greyhound

Most popular bus company

United

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.

The cheapest way to travel from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL is a train with an average price of $59 (€48).

This is compared to other travel options from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL:

A train is $9 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL costing on average $68 (€55).

A train is $350 (€282) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL costing on average $410 (€329).

The fastest way to travel from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 23m.

Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:

Train takes on average 5h 40m.

Bus takes on average 5h 59m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL among Omio's users.

Travel options
from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL

How to get from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • Amtrak300 Lincoln Service
    4:30 AM4h55
    St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO
    9:25 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    $391One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • Amtrak300 Lincoln Service
    4:30 AM4h55
    St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO
    9:25 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    $391One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • envoy airAA3568
    9:32 AM1h28
    St. Louis Lambert International Airport
    11:00 AMO'Hare International Airport
    $2601One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Amtrak306 Lincoln Service
    5:40 PM5h03
    St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO
    10:43 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    $461One-way
    0 transfers
  • Amtrak302 Lincoln Service
    6:35 AM5h05
    St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO
    11:40 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    $461One-way
    0 transfers
  • Amtrak318 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
    2:55 PM5h05
    St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO
    8:00 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
    $461One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    11:30 PM6h05
    St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)
    5:35 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    $711One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    4:00 PM6h05
    St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)
    10:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station
    $831One-way
    0 transfers
  • Greyhound ·
    2:00 AM11h45
    St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center)
    1:45 PMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL
    $831One-way
    1 transfer
  • envoy airAA3570
    8:07 PM1h33
    St. Louis Lambert International Airport
    9:40 PMO'Hare International Airport
    $2601One-way
    0 transfers
  • American AirlinesAA1926
    6:00 AM1h34
    St. Louis Lambert International Airport
    7:34 AMO'Hare International Airport
    $2601One-way
    0 transfers
  • envoy airAA4259
    4:54 PM1h39
    St. Louis Lambert International Airport
    6:33 PMO'Hare International Airport
    $2601One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL is a train with an average price of $59 (€48).

This is compared to other travel options from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL:

A train is $9 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL costing on average $68 (€55).

A train is $350 (€282) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL costing on average $410 (€329).

The fastest way to travel from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 23m.

Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:

Train takes on average 5h 40m.

Bus takes on average 5h 59m.

The distance from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL is approximately 260 miles (419 km).
The average frequency per day from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL is:
  • Around 27 flights per day.
  • Around 6 trains per day.
  • Around 4 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL:
  • Flights mostly depart from St. Louis Lambert International Airport and arrive in O'Hare International Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from St. Louis Station, St. Louis, MO and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL.
  • Buses mostly depart from St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) and arrive in Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
  • Travel with FlixBus, Greyhound to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
  • Travel with United, American Airlines, Republic Airlines to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
Yes, there are direct services available from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL with the following travel companies:
  • 5 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
  • 2 direct buses per day with FlixBus, Greyhound.
  • 8 direct flights per day with United, American Airlines, Republic Airlines.
Omio customers who travel from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL often also extend their vacation to go to San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, Indianapolis, IN, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, MN. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Chicago, IL and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Chicago, IL to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Chicago, IL, you can explore the Museum of Science and Industry and its interactive exhibits, enjoy the vibrant neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Lincoln Park, take a river cruise to view iconic architecture, and attend a live performance at the historic Chicago Theatre. Visit Lincoln Park Zoo for a free and enjoyable day. For sights, don't miss Millennium Park with its modern art, the renowned Art Institute of Chicago, the entertainment hub of Navy Pier, panoramic views from Willis Tower Skydeck, and the fascinating exhibits at the Field Museum.
To fully experience Chicago, IL, plan for at least 3-4 days to visit key attractions such as Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, and explore diverse neighborhoods.
HomeTravelTravel to USATravel to Chicago, ILHow to travel from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL

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