Busbud recommends taking the train from St. Louis to Chicago
Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 5 hours 5 minutes and with fares starting at just $30, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
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.
Amtrak St. Louis Chicago recent customer reviews
Smooth ride. The man who did our tickets from St. Louis we noticed after checking white people's tickets he said thanks and have a great day. To black people he said nothing. Then upon arriving in Chicago that man offered no one a hand down or said goodbye.
4 out of 5 stars
Yvonne H.
Fabulous! Train is the way to go for this distance!! On time, comfortable, friendly conductors, and SO convenient!
5 out of 5 stars
Kendra H.
My trip was changed then cancelled and the next bus took 2 hrs . My connection to complete my trip made me arrive at my final destination at 4 am to an empty station where I couldn't get any assistance. Couldn't get a taxi at that hour there. It was a very horrible experience.
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.
Amtrak St. Louis Chicago recent customer reviews
Smooth ride. The man who did our tickets from St. Louis we noticed after checking white people's tickets he said thanks and have a great day. To black people he said nothing. Then upon arriving in Chicago that man offered no one a hand down or said goodbye.
4 out of 5 stars
Yvonne H.
Fabulous! Train is the way to go for this distance!! On time, comfortable, friendly conductors, and SO convenient!
5 out of 5 stars
Kendra H.
My trip was changed then cancelled and the next bus took 2 hrs . My connection to complete my trip made me arrive at my final destination at 4 am to an empty station where I couldn't get any assistance. Couldn't get a taxi at that hour there. It was a very horrible experience.
Users have praised the service for being on time, comfortable, and convenient with friendly conductors. However, there were concerns about inconsistent behavior from staff towards passengers of different races during ticket checks and upon arrival.
Amtrak St. Louis Chicago recent customer reviews
Smooth ride. The man who did our tickets from St. Louis we noticed after checking white people's tickets he said thanks and have a great day. To black people he said nothing. Then upon arriving in Chicago that man offered no one a hand down or said goodbye.
4 out of 5 stars
Yvonne H.
Fabulous! Train is the way to go for this distance!! On time, comfortable, friendly conductors, and SO convenient!
5 out of 5 stars
Kendra H.
My trip was changed then cancelled and the next bus took 2 hrs . My connection to complete my trip made me arrive at my final destination at 4 am to an empty station where I couldn't get any assistance. Couldn't get a taxi at that hour there. It was a very horrible experience.
Based on 20 reviews, the company was rated 4.2 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the staff and the timeliness but often complained with the ticket access. Burlington Trailways ticket prices on this trip start at $182
Busbud helps you find a bus from St. Louis to Chicago. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.
We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable bus companies that cover bus service from St. Louis to Chicago.
Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to Chicago from St. Louis, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.
Where are the popular stops in St. Louis and Chicago?
Frequently asked questions for your trip St. Louis - Chicago
What is the travel distance from St. Louis to Chicago?
About 260 miles (419 km) separate St. Louis and Chicago.
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from St. Louis to Chicago?
The majority of buses traveling from St. Louis to Chicago start their journey at Gateway Station and wind up at Downtown Greyhound Station. These are the main pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for 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 Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum, Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Conservatory and Shedd Aquarium.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
08/20
$54
08/21
$54
Today
$52
08/23
$45
08/24
$40
08/25
$36
08/26
$36
08/27
$36
The cheapest trip from St. Louis to Chicago was searched and found on Aug 25, 2025 with a price of $36
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from St. Louis to Chicago, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $36 to $267 for a bus ticket from St. Louis to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $36 which is on 2025-08-25.
Usually 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
Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between St. Louis and Chicago!
From miles long of beauteous natural landscapes to impressive man-crafted sights, you're bound to be in for a visual treat on your bus trip from St. Louis to Chicago.
Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from St. Louis to Chicago.
Make a music playlist for your bus ride from St. Louis to Chicago, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.
Did you know?
The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.
Did you know some bus companies in Germany offer to their passenger low-costs snacks and regional beer based on their destination? Prosit!
The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.
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. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.