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Bus San Francisco, CA - Chicago, IL prices from $245.80

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$245.80
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San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by bus

The journey from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by bus is 1,853.7 mi and takes 62 h 50 min. There are 12 connections per day, with the first departure at 10:30am and the last at 11:40pm. It is possible to travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by bus for as little as $245.80 or as much as $622.29. The best price for this journey is $245.80.

Best Price $245.80
Journey Duration 62 h 50 min
Connection per Day 12
Lowest Price $245.80
Highest Price $622.29
First Departure 10:30am
Last Departure 11:40pm
Distance 1,853.7 mi
Departure San Francisco, CA
Arrival Chicago, IL
Carriers FlixBus, Greyhound

San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL Bus Times

    Dec 08
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    13°
    Dec 09
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    14°
    Dec 10
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    16°
    Dec 11
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    15°
    Dec 12
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    16°
    Dec 13
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    16°
    Dec 14
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    16°
    Dec 15
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    16°
    Dec 16
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    15°
    Dec 17
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    15°
    Dec 18
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    14°
    Dec 19
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    14°
    Dec 20
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    15°
    Dec 21
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    16°
    Dec 22
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    17°
Departure date
Friday,Dec 08 2023
13°

Quick and easy travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL with Virail

Virail helps thousands of travelers plan their journeys every year. How? It's easy. Just enter the dates on which you plan to travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL. Our powerful engine will look at the data from thousands of travel providers, then show you all the available routes. You can choose to travel however you want. Decide on the type of transport you want to use, what time of day you'd like to set off and whether you'd like a direct journey or one with connections. When you've found your ideal route, Virail will redirect you to the web page of the provider. There, you can make your booking, then it's time to prepare for your trip.

How can I find the cheapest bus tickets to get from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL?

The cheapest bus tickets from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL cost $211.10. On average, you can expect to spend around $309.68 for your bus ticket. Virail will help you find a journey that fits your budget. You can expect prices to vary between different travel providers and methods of transport; often, faster journeys will cost more than slower routes. If your travel dates are flexible, you might be able to find cheaper bus tickets, as prices may fluctuate a little from day to day. You may also find lower prices by booking at certain times of day, avoiding rush hour traffic. Another tip for travelers on a tight budget is to look for connecting journeys. Sometimes it can be cheaper to make a change or two along the way, rather than traveling on a direct route from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL.

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Cheap tickets from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

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Best time to book cheap bus tickets from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL

The cheapest San Francisco, CA - Chicago, IL bus tickets can be found for as low as $206 if you’re lucky, or $269 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $354.

Find the best day to travel to Chicago, IL by bus

When travelling to Chicago, IL by bus, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

FlixBus, a long-distance bus company, operates in both Europe and the United States. Founded in 2013, it has grown to become one of the largest bus operators in Europe, connecting over 2,500 destinations in 30 countries. Originating in Germany, FlixBus has expanded quickly to neighboring countries including France, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Croatia, while also offering regular services to Norway, Spain, and England. With affordable fares and comfortable amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard toilets, FlixBus provides a convenient and enjoyable travel experience.

Greyhound is a bus company that provides intercity transportation services across North America. Founded in 1914, it is the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in the United States and Canada, serving over 3,800 destinations. Greyhound operates on popular routes such as New York to Boston, Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and Boston to New York.

Services on board FlixBus and Greyhound from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Compare services on board when travelling from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by bus.
Facilities FlixBus Greyhound
WiFi
Power sockets
Luggage
Food and drink
Air conditioning

San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL CO2 Emissions by Bus

Ecology
Train
23.9kg
Bus
158.0kg
Flight
6,319.9kg
Car
609.5kg

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL?
A bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL is $373.11. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as $245.80.
What's the cheapest bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL?
The cheapest ticket you can get from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL is $245.80. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL by bus?
San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL is 1,853.7 mi.
How long does the bus between San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL take?
San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL is on average 70 h 13 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 62 h 50 min.
Which companies operate from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL?
The bus journey from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL is covered by 2 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: FlixBus, Greyhound.
How many bus connections per day go from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL?
San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL has 12 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL leave?
The earliest bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL departs at 10:30am. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL depart?
The latest bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL departs at 11:40pm. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest bus ticket we have found is $245.80 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
From which stations can I leave from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL?
There are 5 station(s) that you can depart from San Francisco, CA to go to Chicago, IL. You can go from Mission St, Salesforce Transit Center, San Francisco, Embarcadero Center (drumm & California), San Francisco (5th/townsend) and Daly City Bart and you can arrive at Union Station, 95th & Dan Ryan Cta, Downtown Greyhound Station and Cumberland Cta.
What's the fastest journey time between San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by bus?
The fastest journey time by bus between San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL is 62 h 50 min.
Is there a direct bus from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL?
Yes, there is a direct bus between San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL.
What are the CO2 emissions for San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by bus?
The bus journey from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL creates 158.0kg of CO2 emissions.

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