There are 10 ways to get from Chicago to Kentucky by bus (Greyhound, Amtrak, Flixbus), train, bus, car, plane, bus (Amtrak), or subway
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Louisville Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0100
6h 5m$40–75Train, bus via Indianapolis
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolistrain Cardinal
- Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0100 / ...
7h 44m$73–157Drive 293.6 mi
- Drive from Chicago to Louisvillecar 293.6 mi
5h 4m$54–78Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Covington
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Covington (CVG)plane ORD - CVG
3h 53m$154–807Train, bus
- Take the train from Van Buren St. to Gary Metro Centertrain Ssl / ...
- Take the bus from Gary Bus Station to Louisville Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0100
7h 6m$48–79Bus via Lafayette (Amtrak)
- Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Lafayette Amtrak Stationbus Chicago
- Take the bus from Lafayette Amtrak Station to Louisville, KYbus Chicago
7h 35m$54–94Subway to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Covington
- Take the subway from Adams/Wabash to Midwaysubway
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Covington (CVG)plane MDW - CVG
3h 39m$154–367Subway to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Louisville International Airport
- Take the subway from Adams/Wabash to Midwaysubway
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Louisville International Airport (SDF)plane MDW - SDF
4h 4m$94–658Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Louisville International Airport
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Louisville International Airport (SDF)plane ORD - SDF
4h 30m$74–468Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Blue Grass Airport, line 3 bus
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Blue Grass Airport (LEX)plane ORD - LEX
- Take the bus from Transit Center to Centre Parkway @ 1349bus
5h 35m$44–287
Chicago to Kentucky by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Kentucky is to bus which costs $40 - $75 and takes 6h 5m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Kentucky is to subway and fly which takes 3h 39m and costs $150 - $370.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Chicago Bus Station station and arriving at Louisville Bus Station station. Services depart four times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 5m.
The distance between Chicago and Kentucky is 300 miles. The road distance is 295.3 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Kentucky without a car is to bus which takes 6h 5m and costs $40 - $75.
The bus from Chicago Bus Station to Louisville Bus Station takes 6h 5m including transfers and departs four times a day.
Chicago to Kentucky bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Kentucky is to bus which takes 6h 5m and costs $40 - $75. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $150 - $850 and takes 3h 53m.
Chicago to Kentucky bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Louisville Bus Station.
Kentucky is 1h ahead of Chicago. It is currently 10:20 PM in Chicago and 11:20 PM in Kentucky.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Kentucky, USA?
Greyhound USA operates a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Louisville Bus Station 4 times a day. Tickets cost $45–75 and the journey takes 6h 5m. Two other operators also service this route. Alternatively, American Airlines and United Airlines fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Covington (CVG) hourly.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Covington
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–440
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Louisville International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 29m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–460
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Blue Grass Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–280
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 54m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $50–120
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Louisville Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $45–75
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $18–29
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Gary Bus Station to Louisville Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40–70
- Website
- Greyhound
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Kentucky is 295 miles. It takes approximately 5h 4m to drive from Chicago to Kentucky.
Book your Chicago to Kentucky bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 621+ hotels available in Kentucky.





