There are 7 ways to get from Cincinnati to Chicago by bus (Flixbus), car, plane, bus, 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.
Bus (Flixbus)
best- Take the bus from Cincinnati to Chicago Bus Stationbus FlixBus 2514 / ...
6h$45–70Drive 286.2 mi
- Drive from Cincinnati to Chicagocar 286.2 mi
5h 1m$53–76Fly Covington to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Fly from Covington (CVG) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane CVG - ORD
3h 54m$154–756Bus, train
- Take the bus from Cincinnati to Gary Bus Stationbus FlixBus N2642
- Take the train from Gary to Van Buren St.train Westbound to Chicago / ...
6h 31m$49–71Fly Covington to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Fly from Covington (CVG) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane CVG - MDW
3h 30m$164–306Drive to Blue Grass Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Drive from Cincinnati to Lexington-Airport-LEXcar
- Fly from Blue Grass Airport (LEX) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane LEX - ORD
4h 1m$53–278Drive to Louisville International Airport, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Drive from Cincinnati to Louisville-Airport-SDFcar
- Fly from Louisville International Airport (SDF) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane SDF - MDW
3h 47m$76–423
Cincinnati to Chicago by bus (Flixbus)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Cincinnati to Chicago is to bus which costs $45 - $70 and takes 6h.
The fastest way to get from Cincinnati to Chicago is to fly which takes 3h 30m and costs $160 - $310.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Cincinnati and arriving at Chicago Bus Station station. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h.
The distance between Cincinnati and Chicago is 296 miles. The road distance is 287.9 miles.
The best way to get from Cincinnati to Chicago without a car is to bus which takes 6h and costs $45 - $70.
The bus from Cincinnati to Chicago Bus Station takes 6h including transfers and departs twice daily.
Cincinnati to Chicago bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Cincinnati station.
The best way to get from Cincinnati to Chicago is to bus which takes 6h and costs $45 - $70. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $150 - $800 and takes 3h 54m.
Cincinnati to Chicago bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago is 1h behind Cincinnati. It is currently 9:45 PM in Cincinnati and 8:45 PM in Chicago.
What companies run services between Cincinnati, OH, USA and Chicago, IL, USA?
Flixbus USA operates a bus from Cincinnati to Chicago Bus Station twice daily. Tickets cost $45–70 and the journey takes 6h. Alternatively, American Airlines and United Airlines fly from Covington (CVG) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) hourly.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Covington to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–370
Flights from Blue Grass Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–250
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Covington to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 14m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–470
Flights from Louisville International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–390
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Covington to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–370
Flights from Blue Grass Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 48m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–250
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Blue Grass Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 18m
- When
- Thursday
- Estimated price
- $45–280
- Phone
- +1 219-926-5744
- Website
- mysouthshoreline.com
Train from Gary to Van Buren St.
- Ave. Duration
- 52 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $8–10
- Schedules at
- mysouthshoreline.com
- Adults 14-64
- $8–10
Train from Gary to Van Buren St.
- Ave. Duration
- 52 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $4–9
- Schedules at
- Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Cincinnati to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–70
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Cincinnati to Gary Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 25m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $40–65
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Cincinnati to Chicago is 288 miles. It takes approximately 5h 1m to drive from Cincinnati to Chicago.
Book your Cincinnati to Chicago bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 1173+ hotels available in Chicago.

