Busbud recommends taking the bus from New York City to Chicago
Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 1 day, 1 hour 10 minutes and with fares starting at just $82, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
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.
FlixBus New York City Chicago recent customer reviews
I got left at a Pilot gas station in PA not happy! I had to take a Uber to a bus station to purchase another ticket 🙃 to Chicago.
1 out of 5 stars
Elianne L.
The communication from the workers was terrible. A lot of rude and snotty people in NY and in Chicago. The ride was smooth and went well.
2 out of 5 stars
Kadeem M.
Big delays, almost 0 communication, estimates of delays not accurate at all, missed connection because of delay. Stuck in different city, had to pay for a hotel, also lost money on a hotel i booked at my final destination. Extremely tiresd after sleepless 24hours with no water or food.
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 New York City Chicago recent customer reviews
I got left at a Pilot gas station in PA not happy! I had to take a Uber to a bus station to purchase another ticket 🙃 to Chicago.
1 out of 5 stars
Elianne L.
The communication from the workers was terrible. A lot of rude and snotty people in NY and in Chicago. The ride was smooth and went well.
2 out of 5 stars
Kadeem M.
Big delays, almost 0 communication, estimates of delays not accurate at all, missed connection because of delay. Stuck in different city, had to pay for a hotel, also lost money on a hotel i booked at my final destination. Extremely tiresd after sleepless 24hours with no water or food.
Trailways is a network of over 70 bus companies that focus on providing quality bus rides at affordable prices all over the US since 1936. Among the most famous affiliates are Trailways of New York, Pine Hill Trailways, Adirondack Trailways and Burlington Trailways. Trailways buses have WiFi, power outlets, bathrooms, air conditioning, overhead lighting, and reclinable seats with footrests. You can find two different types of Trailway fares: saver and flexible. Saver tickets are non-refundable, while flexible tickets are fully reimbursed up to one hour before travel time. If you're traveling with them, don't forget to print your boarding pass and show a valid photo ID to board the bus.
FlixBus New York City Chicago recent customer reviews
I got left at a Pilot gas station in PA not happy! I had to take a Uber to a bus station to purchase another ticket 🙃 to Chicago.
1 out of 5 stars
Elianne L.
The communication from the workers was terrible. A lot of rude and snotty people in NY and in Chicago. The ride was smooth and went well.
2 out of 5 stars
Kadeem M.
Big delays, almost 0 communication, estimates of delays not accurate at all, missed connection because of delay. Stuck in different city, had to pay for a hotel, also lost money on a hotel i booked at my final destination. Extremely tiresd after sleepless 24hours with no water or food.
With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from New York City to Chicago is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.
Bus service from New York City to Chicago will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.
From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from New York City to Chicago, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.
Where are the popular stops in New York City and Chicago?
Frequently asked questions for your trip New York City - Chicago
How far is New York City from Chicago?
About 712 miles (1148 km) separate New York City and Chicago.
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from New York City to Chicago?
Most of the buses traveling from New York City to Chicago leave from GW Bridge and arrive at Downtown Greyhound Station. These are the main departure and arrival locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.
What are the best sights and things to do in Chicago?
Once in Chicago, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Lincoln Park Zoo, The Field Museum, Auditorium Building and Theatre, Navy Pier and Lake Michigan.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
08/21
$265
08/22
$254
Today
$255
08/24
$224
08/25
$153
08/26
$127
08/27
$113
08/28
$120
The cheapest trip from New York City to Chicago was searched and found on Aug 27, 2025 with a price of $113
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from New York City to Chicago, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $113 to $314 for a bus ticket from New York City to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $113 which is on 2025-08-27.
Usually Greyhound 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
Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from New York City to Chicago.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.
Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from New York City to Chicago, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.
Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from New York City to Chicago that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.
Make a music playlist for your bus ride from New York City to Chicago, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.
Did you know?
One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.
The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!
The Superbus, created by a Dutch engineer is the world's fastest bus with 250 km/h. Too bad it's only a prototype for now.
What's the cheapest way to go from New York City to Chicago?
The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination
Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. 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.