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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 $76. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 25m. 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 $76, and a flight costs an average of $51.
Distance: 594 miles (956 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
$200 Average price | $312 Average price | $129 Average price Cheapest |
19h 27m Average total duration 18h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 25m Average total duration Fastest 2h 25m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 19h 6m Average total duration 18h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.9 - 5.7kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.4kg 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.
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.
Cheapest
Fastest
Other options
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 flight is $25 (€20) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average $76 (€60).
A flight is $44 (€35) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average $96 (€76).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 17h 25m.
Train takes on average 17h 48m.
- Around 40 flights per day.
- Around 7 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 American Airlines, United, Republic Airlines to go to Chicago, IL by flight.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Chicago, IL by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Chicago, IL by train.
- 17 direct flights per day with Republic Airlines.
- 2 direct buses per day with Greyhound.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL: related information
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