There are 9 ways to get from Chicago to Traverse City by train, bus, car or plane
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
Train, Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails via Kalamazoo
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Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Kalamazoo
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Take the Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails from Kalamazoo, MI - Amtrak to Traverse City, MI
Cheapest option
Train, bus
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Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
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Take the bus from Grand Rapids, MI to Traverse City, MI
7 alternative options
Bus, Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails
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Take the bus from Chicago to Kalamazoo
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Take the Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails from Kalamazoo, MI - Amtrak to Traverse City, MI
Train, Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails
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Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
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Take the Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, MI
Bus, Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails via Chicago
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Take the bus from Chicago to Kalamazoo
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Take the Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails from Kalamazoo, MI - Amtrak to Traverse City, MI
Drive
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Drive from Chicago to Traverse City
Fly Chicago O'Hare to Traverse City
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Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Traverse City (TVC)
Fly Chicago O'Hare to Manistee, drive
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Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Manistee (MBL)
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Drive from Manistee to Traverse City
Fly Chicago Midway to Traverse City
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Fly from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Traverse City (TVC)
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 Traverse City is 800-232-4636.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Traverse City is recommended.
The social distance requirement in Traverse City 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: 17 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 cheapest way to get from Chicago to Traverse City is to drive which costs $30 - $45 and takes 5h 24m.
The quickest way to get from Chicago to Traverse City is to fly which costs $160 - $330 and takes 4h 19m.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago to Traverse City. However, there are services departing from Chicago and arriving at Traverse City, MI via Kalamazoo, MI - Amtrak. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 7m.
The distance between Chicago and Traverse City is 225 miles. The road distance is 319.3 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Traverse City without a car is to train and Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails via Kalamazoo which takes 8h 40m and costs .
It takes approximately 8h 40m to get from Chicago to Traverse City, including transfers.
Chicago to Traverse City bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Chicago station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Traverse City is to bus and Amtrak Thruway operated by Indian Trails which takes 9h 7m and costs . Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $160 - $330 and takes 4h 19m.
The quickest flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Traverse City Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 6m.
Chicago to Traverse City bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Traverse City, MI station.
- Distance: 224.8 miles
- Duration: 8h 40m
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Traverse City, MI, USA?
You can take a bus from Chicago to Traverse City via Kalamazoo, MI - Amtrak in around 9h 7m. Alternatively, United Airlines and American Airlines fly from Chicago to Traverse City every 4 hours.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Traverse City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200 - $400
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Manistee
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80 - $210
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Chicago Midway to Traverse City via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170 - $550
Flights from Chicago Midway to Traverse City via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220 - $600
Flights from Chicago Midway to Traverse City via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 59m
- When
- Friday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $270 - $700
- Website
- capeair.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Manistee
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80 - $210
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Traverse City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180 - $550
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 Kalamazoo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 8m
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $30 - $45
- Website
- Amtrak
- Coach Seat
- $30 - $45
- Premium
- $190 - $270
- Flexi Coach Seat
- $50 - $75
- Business Seat
- $45 - $70
Train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 4m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35 - $50
- Website
- Amtrak
- Coach Seat
- $35 - $50
- Premium
- $200 - $280
- Flexi Coach Seat
- $55 - $85
- Business Seat
- $55 - $80
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
Bus from Kalamazoo, MI - Amtrak to Traverse City, MI
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 32m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, MI
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 6m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 800-292-3831
- Website
- indiantrails.com
Bus from Grand Rapids, MI to Traverse City, MI
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $13 - $28
- Website
- Indian Trails
- Children 2-16
- $13 - $18
- College students
- $17 - $24
- Senior Citizens 62+
- $18 - $26
- Phone
- (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Chicago to Kalamazoo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $13 - $55
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Adult Standard Purchase
- $18 - $55
- Adult Advance Purchase
- $13 - $18
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 Kalamazoo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $21 - $30
- Website
- greyhound.com
- Economy
- $21 - $30
- Flexible
- $40 - $60
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Traverse City is 1h ahead of Chicago. It is currently 2:26 AM in Chicago and 3:26 AM in Traverse City.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Traverse City is 319 miles. It takes approximately 5h 24m to drive from Chicago to Traverse City.
United Airlines and American Airlines offer flights from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Traverse City Airport.
There are 143+ hotels available in Traverse City. Prices start at $100 USD per night.
The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport is to subway which takes 42 min and costs $1 - $5.