There are 6 ways to get from Chicago to Louisville by plane, bus, train or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Fly from Chicago Midway • 3h 39m
Cheapest option
Bus • 6h 15m
4 alternative options
Fly from Chicago O'Hare • 4h 6m
Bus via Indianapolis • 6h 28m
Train, bus • 7h 49m
Drive • 4h 56m
Travel safe during COVID-19
Rules to follow in United States
2m
Recommended
Travel within United States
Domestic border crossings may be subject to approval, testing and quarantine
COVID-19 help in United States
If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed.
Explore travel optionsDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are recommended
- There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres
- Domestic border crossings may be subject to approval, testing and quarantine
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Louisville is 800-232-4636.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Louisville is recommended.
The social distance requirement in Louisville is 2 metres.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636.
Last updated: 10 May 2022
Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC).
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The most affordable way to get from Chicago to Louisville is to drive, which costs $29 - $45 and takes 4h 56m.
The quickest way to get from Chicago to Louisville is to fly which costs $150 - $600 and takes 3h 39m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Chicago and arriving at Louisville. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 15m.
The distance between Chicago and Louisville is 271 miles. The road distance is 296.4 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Louisville without a car is to bus which takes 6h 15m and costs $23 - $80.
It takes approximately 3h 39m to get from Chicago to Louisville, including transfers.
Chicago to Louisville bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Louisville is to fly which takes 3h 39m and costs $150 - $600. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $23 - $80 and takes 6h 15m.
The quickest flight from Chicago Midway Airport to Louisville Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 5m.
Chicago to Louisville bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Louisville station.
- Distance: 270.6 miles
- Duration: 3h 39m
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Louisville, KY, USA?
Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago to Louisville 3 times a day. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Chicago to Louisville twice daily. Tickets cost $35 - $50 and the journey takes 6h 15m. Two other operators also service this route.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway to Louisville
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110 - $370
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Louisville
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180 - $460
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Louisville
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180 - $480
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Louisville via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200 - $460
Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities.
Rome2rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 54m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $35 - $55
- Website
- Amtrak
- Coach Seat
- $35 - $55
- Premium
- $200 - $280
- Flexi Coach Seat
- $60 - $90
- Business Seat
- $60 - $85
Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app.
Rome2rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100/1-800-231-2222
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago to Louisville
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $35 - $50
- Website
- greyhound.com
- Economy
- $35 - $50
- Flexible
- $60 - $85
Bus from Indianapolis to Louisville
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $18 - $26
- Website
- greyhound.com
- Economy
- $18 - $26
- Flexible
- $35 - $55
Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities.
Rome2rio's guide to Amtrak Thruway
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Chicago Union Station to Louisville, KY
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $23 - $65
- Schedules at
- amtrak.com
- Child 2-12
- $23 - $35
- Adult
- $45 - $65
Bus from Indianapolis Amtrak Station to Louisville, KY
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $11 - $35
- Schedules at
- amtrak.com
- Child 2-12
- $11 - $17
- Adult
- $23 - $35
- Phone
- +1 800-544-2383
- Website
- hoosierride.com
Bus from Chicago, IL to Louisville, KY
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40 - $80
- Book at
- hoosierride.com
- Child Fares
- $40 - $60
Bus from Indianapolis, IN to Louisville, KY
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $19 - $40
- Book at
- hoosierride.com
- Child Fares
- $19 - $27
- Website
- palmlandlines.com
Bus from Chicago IL to Indianapolis IN
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $50 - $65
- Schedules at
- palmlandlines.com
- Phone
- (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Chicago to Indianapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $15 - $55
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Adult Standard Purchase
- $20 - $55
- Adult Advance Purchase
- $15 - $21
- Phone
- +1 844-800-6828
- pr@ourbus.com
- Website
- ourbus.com
Bus from Chicago, IL to Indianapolis, IN
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $26 - $35
- Book at
- ourbus.com
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Louisville is 1h ahead of Chicago. It is currently 3:57 PM in Chicago and 4:57 PM in Louisville.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Louisville is 296 miles. It takes approximately 4h 56m to drive from Chicago to Louisville.
Southwest Airlines offers flights from Chicago Midway Airport to Louisville Airport.
Book your Chicago to Louisville bus tickets online with Omio and Busbud.
There are 177+ hotels available in Louisville. Prices start at $100 USD per night.
The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago Midway Airport is to subway which takes 23 min and costs $1 - $5.