4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Washington, DC to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the flight 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 an average ticket price of zł446 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 22m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.3 - 0.9kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of zł446, while a flight costs an average of zł1733.
Distance: 594 miles (956 km)
Compare flight with
Most popular Flight | Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
zł1733 Average price | zł1331 Average price | zł446 Average price Cheapest | zł863 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 22m Average total duration Fastest 3h 22m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 21h 59m Average total duration 21h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 20h 0m Average total duration 19h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
2.9 - 5.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.0 - 2.4kg 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 Washington, DC to Chicago, IL:
A bus is zł885 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average zł1331.
A bus is zł1287 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average zł1733.
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 20h 0m.
Train takes on average 21h 59m.
Tickets start at around zł1331 compared to roughly zł863 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about zł-468.17. The journey takes 21h 29m versus 10h 38m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
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.
- 1:50 AM19h15Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station8:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Stationzł4061One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 1:50 AM19h15Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station8:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Stationzł4061One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- UA42110:18 PM2h14Dulles International Airport11:32 PMO'Hare International Airportzł12401One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 40 Floridian3:57 PM17h48Washington Union Station, Washington, DC8:45 AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, ILzł6861One-way0 transfers
- 5:50 PM17h10Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station10:00 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Stationzł4531One-way0 transfers
- +
FlixBus+6:55 PM26h10Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station8:05 PMChicago, Greyhound Bus Stationzł4621One-way2 transfers - · · +FlixBus11:35 PM31h35Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station6:10 AMChicago, Greyhound Bus Stationzł5821One-way3 transfers
AA352311:40 AM2h19Baltimore/Washington International Airport12:59 PMO'Hare International Airportzł8931One-way0 transfers
AA24897:17 AM2h28Baltimore/Washington International Airport8:45 AMO'Hare International Airportzł8931One-way0 transfers- AA37626:30 PM2h29Baltimore/Washington International Airport7:59 PMO'Hare International Airportzł8931One-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 zł885 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average zł1331.
A bus is zł1287 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average zł1733.
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 20h 0m.
Train takes on average 21h 59m.
- Around 71 flights per day.
- Around 5 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 Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- Travel with American Airlines, Republic Airlines, United, skywest airlines, Sun Country Airlines, psa airlines, JetBlue Airways to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 2 direct buses per day with Greyhound.
- 28 direct flights per day with American Airlines, Republic Airlines, United.
Travelling from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL: related information
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