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How to get fromChicago to San Rafaelby plane, bus, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, subway, or train

Find Transport to San Rafael

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There are 9 ways to get from Chicago to San Rafael by plane, bus, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, subway, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, bus

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane ORD - SFO
    2. Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus bus
    8h 2m
    $204–307

  2. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, BART

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane ORD - SJC
    2. Take the subway from Milpitas to El Cerrito Del Nortesubway subway
    9h 41m
    $128–527

  3. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to San Francisco Bus Stationbus bus
    2d 3h
    $406–613

  4. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Richmondtrain train California Zephyr
    2d 5h
    $1,331–2,042

  5. Drive  2,121.6 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to San Rafaelcar car 2,121.6 mi
    32h 48m
    $388–560

  6. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane MDW - SFO
    2. Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus bus
    7h 55m
    $204–447

  7. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Oakland International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane MDW - OAK
    2. Take the bus from Oakland International Airport to San Rafaelbus bus
    7h 59m
    $188–810

  8. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, BART

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane MDW - SJC
    2. Take the subway from Milpitas to El Cerrito Del Nortesubway subway
    9h 18m
    $188–777

  9. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Sacramento International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)plane plane MDW - SMF
    2. Take the train from Sacramento to Richmondtrain train
    10h 16m
    $232–885

Chicago to San Rafael by bus (Greyhound)

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration2d 3hAverage Duration
Ticket$406Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Chicago to San Rafael.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,890.7 mi
  • Duration: 8h 2m

What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and San Rafael, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to San Rafael Transit Center-Platform B via Denver Union Station, Sparks Transit Center, San Francisco Bus Station, and Salesforce Transit Center-Bus Plaza Bay A in around 2d 3h. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to Richmond once daily. Tickets cost $1,300–2,100 and the journey takes 2d 4h.

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Bus operators

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Need to know: Greyhound

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