Is there a way to reach Indianapolis from Chicago without a car?

You have the option of traveling from one city to the other by either bus or train. The two options are easy and sustainable ways to reach Indianapolis. Another option you should consider is using carpooling services, which allow you to share a car ride with other travelers.

How long does it take to get to Indianapolis from Chicago by bus?

The travel time from Chicago to Indianapolis is about 3h 55m, but the fastest bus can get you there in about 3h 5m. This is the time it takes to travel the 164 miles (264 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Chicago and Indianapolis?

About 164 miles (264 km) separate Chicago and Indianapolis.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Chicago to Indianapolis?

If you're headed to Indianapolis from Chicago, chances are that your bus will leave from Downtown Greyhound Station and arrive at Greyhound Amtrak Station. These are the most popular pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.

What is the most cost-effective way to travel from Chicago to Indianapolis?

Go for the bus if you want the most economical way to travel this route. The lowest price for the bus on this route is $29.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Chicago to Indianapolis?

The average price of a one-way ticket from Chicago to Indianapolis is $39. In the past 30 days, prices have fluctuated between $29 and $193, so it's best to compare them to make sure you get the best deal.

Chicago to Indianapolis Bus Tickets

TodayApr 30

from $34

TomorrowMay 1

from $29

FriMay 2

from $32

SatMay 3

from $28

SunMay 4

from $32

MonMay 5

from $25

TueMay 6

from $27

WedMay 7

from $25

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 1 at 10:30pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan
Arrival time: May 2 at 2:50am
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Indianapolis Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 3h 20m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 1 at 2:45pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 1 at 6:50pm
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Indianapolis Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 3h 5m
Departure time: May 1 at 10:00pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 2 at 2:50am
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Greyhound Amtrak Station
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 3h 50m
Departure time: May 1 at 6:10am
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 1 at 10:55am
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Indianapolis Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 3h 45m
Departure time: May 1 at 8:00am
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 1 at 1:05pm
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Downtown Transit Center
Operated by: FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 5m

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to Indianapolis.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$29 - $193	Average Duration3h 55m	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestFastestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$34 - $112	Average Duration7h 55m	CO₂ emissions 24kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Chicago to Indianapolis

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Indianapolis. The journey takes about 3 hours 55 minutes and with fares starting at just $29, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

25bus per day

3h 55mAverage Duration

$29Cheapest ticket

6kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Chicago to Indianapolis: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$39

Average bus trip duration3h 55m

Number of daily buses25

Earliest bus departure6:10am

Distance155 miles (250 km)

Latest bus departure10:30pm

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/58,447 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

FlixBus Chicago Indianapolis recent customer reviews

The bus driver was very rude he didn't announce any stops passed my stop taking me 30 miles passed my stop I'm very angry then he tried to put me off the bus in the middle of nowhere this is my second time riding the flex bus but this time was a horrible experience that guy needs to be fired asap

Lorraine E.

February 26, 2025

I was waiting in Indianapolis for my parents (who didn't have a phone on them since they're traveling internationally) to arrive from Chicago but the bus was severely delayed, by almost 90 minutes! However, the FlixBus tracker said the bus was on-time and in fact, in Bloomington after going past Indianapolis! I couldn't find a customer service number for FlixBus. When a fellow passenger called Greyhound (who I'm told is a partner), we were informed the same and that the driver had headed to Bloomington somehow skipping Indianapolis. This caused a whole lot of confusion for everyone around and a couple of them who were waiting for this bus went on to reschedule their bus trip to Atlanta (the next major destination on this route). Needless to say, I was really concerned about my parents' safety as I didn't know where I could even meet them -Bloomington or some other place altogether! FlixBus needs to have accurate tracking and for God's sake, a valid customer service unit available by phone.

Sathyanarayana R.

October 31, 2024

Greyhound

3.5/586,952 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.3

Greyhound Lines offers the most comprehensive intercity bus services in the United States. They operate a modern, environmentally friendly fleet that serves more than 2400 destinations and carries nearly 16 million passengers annually. When traveling with them, you can expect free WiFi, onboard entertainment, bathrooms, power outlets and decent legroom. One of the great perks of Greyhound is that they connect big cities and smaller towns in the US, where you usually can't get to by train or plane. If you're looking for safe and affordable transportation, Greyhound is a great choice.

Greyhound Lines, Inc. Chicago Indianapolis recent customer reviews

The drivers was friendly and helpful. Loved her. The bus was old and barely made it to Indy. I have ANC headphones and I could hear the loud bus the whole way.

Zackary P.

June 11, 2024

No assistance in putting luggage into the bus. Seats were in need of refurbishment as they were peeling and exposed.

Pindukai K.

March 29, 2024

Staff was friendly and the bus was ok, but it was very very late, departing and even more, arriving

Marten D.

May 28, 2022

Amtrak

4/55,086 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

Based on 5086 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $60.00

Amtrak Chicago Indianapolis recent customer reviews

They canceled the Amtrak Thruway bus, which left me stuck in Chicago. Late for all my Monday appointments. It was and is ridiculous. No cancellation notice, plainly unprofessional.

Kurt R.

November 4, 2024

Burlington Trailways

4/517 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness5

Cleanliness5

Wifi5

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Los Limousines, Tornado Bus, Valley Transit, New York Trailways, Wanda Coach

Chicago to Indianapolis Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Chicago to Indianapolis.

We make sure you can find a bus service from Chicago to Indianapolis from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.

Discover how much the bus trip from Chicago to Indianapolis will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Where are the popular stops in Chicago and Indianapolis?

Stops in Chicago

A - Downtown Greyhound Station

B - Chicago O'Hare International Airport

C - Polk St & Canal St

D - Tornado Bus S Kedzie Ave

E - Cumberland CTA

F - Turimex California Ave

Stops in Indianapolis

A - Greyhound Amtrak Station

Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - Indianapolis

Is there a way to reach Indianapolis from Chicago without a car?
How long does it take to get to Indianapolis from Chicago by bus?
What is the distance between Chicago and Indianapolis?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Chicago to Indianapolis?
What is the most cost-effective way to travel from Chicago to Indianapolis?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Chicago to Indianapolis?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

04/28

$31

04/29

$26

Today

$33

05/01

$29

05/02

$32

05/03

$28

05/04

$32

05/05

$25

The cheapest trip from Chicago to Indianapolis was searched and found on May 5, 2025 with a price of $25

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Chicago to Indianapolis, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $25 to $184 for a bus ticket from Chicago to Indianapolis based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $25 which is on 2025-05-05.

Usually Burlington Trailways, Amtrak will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Chicago to Indianapolis but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Chicago to Indianapolis, get comfy and count the stars.

Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Chicago to Indianapolis will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Chicago to Indianapolis, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

Did you know that 80% of the buses in North America are equipped with WiFi and power outlets ? And 60% of bus travelers have used their electronic device on board during 2014.

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

What's the cheapest way to go from Chicago to Indianapolis?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time3h 55m	Avg Price$39	Daily Departures25
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time7h 55m	Avg Price$76	Daily Departures1

Will you be returning to Chicago by bus?

Bus from Chicago to Indianapolis

You can also go to Indianapolis by train

Train from Chicago to Indianapolis

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travelers no matter where they are in the world. With Busbud, you can buy tickets with confidence. We ensure that you make the most out of your bus trip by partnering up with reliable bus companies from all around the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

One passenger / one way

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to Indianapolis.

Bus Chicago to Indianapolis: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Chicago to Indianapolis Bus

Where are the popular stops in Chicago and Indianapolis?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - Indianapolis

Is there a way to reach Indianapolis from Chicago without a car?

How long does it take to get to Indianapolis from Chicago by bus?

What is the distance between Chicago and Indianapolis?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Chicago to Indianapolis?

What is the most cost-effective way to travel from Chicago to Indianapolis?

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Chicago to Indianapolis?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

What's the cheapest way to go from Chicago to Indianapolis?

Will you be returning to Chicago by bus?

You can also go to Indianapolis by train

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Buses Connecting Chicago

Buses Leaving from Chicago

Buses Going to Chicago

Popular Buses Connecting Indianapolis

Buses Leaving from Indianapolis

Buses Going to Indianapolis

Popular routes in this country

Popular airport transfers