4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Washington, DC to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $73. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 20m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.9kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $73, and a flight costs an average of $96.
Distance: 594 miles (956 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$224 Average price | $380 Average price | $130 Average price Cheapest | $228 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
19h 19m Average total duration 18h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 20m Average total duration Fastest 2h 20m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 18h 52m Average total duration 18h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.9 - 5.7kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  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 Washington, DC to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $94 (€76) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average $224 (€180).
A bus is $250 (€201) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average $380 (€306).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 18h 22m.
Train takes on average 18h 49m.
Travel optionsfrom Washington, DC to Chicago, IL
How to get from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 5:35 PM17h25Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station10:00 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1201One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 5:35 PM17h25Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station10:00 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1201One-way0 transfers
Fastest
UA173810:15 PM2h11Dulles International Airport11:26 PMO'Hare International Airport$4321One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 40 Floridian3:57 PM17h48Washington Union Station, Washington, DC8:45 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$2431One-way0 transfers
- 88 Northeast Regional · 49 Lake Shore Limited11:25 AM23h47Washington Union Station, Washington, DC10:12 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4261One-way1 transfer
- 82 Northeast Regional · 49 Lake Shore Limited10:18 AM24h54Washington Union Station, Washington, DC10:12 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$5681One-way1 transfer
- 1:50 AM19h15Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station8:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1471One-way0 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus1:30 PM17h40Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station6:10 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Station$1711One-way1 transfer- FlixBus+ · 1:30 PM19h30Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station8:00 AMChicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL$1721One-way2 transfers
- UA5816:45 AM2h15Baltimore/Washington International Airport8:00 AMO'Hare International Airport$2451One-way0 transfers
- UA2767:11 PM2h24Baltimore/Washington International Airport8:35 PMO'Hare International Airport$2451One-way0 transfers
- UA70410:44 AM2h16Baltimore/Washington International Airport12:00 PMO'Hare International Airport$2771One-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 Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC to Chicago, IL.
This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $94 (€76) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average $224 (€180).
A bus is $250 (€201) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average $380 (€306).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 18h 22m.
Train takes on average 18h 49m.
- Around 48 flights per day.
- Around 6 buses per day.
- Around 3 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Washington, DC and Chicago, IL as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Ronald Reagan National Airport and arrive in O'Hare International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Washington Union Station, Washington, DC and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL.
- Buses mostly depart from Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station and arrive in Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- Travel with American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- 2 direct buses per day with Greyhound.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 20 direct flights per day with American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines.
Travelling from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL: related information
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