There are 7 ways to get from Grand Rapids to Normal by train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car, plane, taxi, 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.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union StationPere Marquette
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Bloomington-NormalLincoln Service / ...
7h 6m$56–129Drive 278.5 mi
cheapest- Drive from Grand Rapids to Normal278.5 mi
4h 43m$51–74Bus via Champaign
- Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Chicago
- Take the bus from Chicago to Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr
- Take the bus from Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr to Bloomington
8h 25m$62–196Fly Gerald R. Ford International Airport to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal
- Fly from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal (BMI)GRR - BMI
7h 12m$65–445Bus
- Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Chicago Bus StationFlixBus 2552
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to BloomingtonGreyhound US0145S
9h 50m$58–99Taxi to Muskegon, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train
- Take the taxi from Grand Rapids to Muskegon (MKG)
- Fly from Muskegon (MKG) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)MKG - ORD
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Bloomington-Normal
5h 22m$166–281Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal
- Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Station
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal (BMI)ORD - BMI
8h 18m$72–340
Grand Rapids to Normal by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Grand Rapids to Normal is to drive which costs $50 - $75 and takes 4h 43m.
The fastest way to get from Grand Rapids to Normal is to drive which takes 4h 43m and costs $50 - $75.
No, there is no direct bus from Grand Rapids to Normal. However, there are services departing from Grand Rapids and arriving at Bloomington via Chicago and Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 25m.
No, there is no direct train from Grand Rapids station to Normal. However, there are services departing from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station and arriving at Bloomington-Normal via Chicago Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 6m.
The distance between Grand Rapids and Normal is 302 miles. The road distance is 280.1 miles.
The best way to get from Grand Rapids to Normal without a car is to train which takes 7h 6m and costs $55 - $130.
It takes approximately 7h 6m to get from Grand Rapids to Normal, including transfers.
Grand Rapids to Normal bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Grand Rapids station.
Grand Rapids to Normal train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station.
The best way to get from Grand Rapids to Normal is to train which takes 7h 6m and costs $55 - $130. Alternatively, you can bus via Champaign, which costs $60 - $200 and takes 8h 25m, you could also fly, which costs $65 - $450 and takes 7h 12m.
What companies run services between Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI, USA and Normal, IL, USA?
You can take a train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Bloomington-Normal via Chicago Union Station in around 7h 6m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Grand Rapids to Bloomington via Chicago and Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr in around 8h 25m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Gerald R. Ford International Airport to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal via Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–440
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–260
- Website
- keylimeair.com
Flights from Muskegon to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 57 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–130
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Gerald R. Ford International Airport to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–700
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 8m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–75
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Bloomington-Normal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 58m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $17–55
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Grand Rapids to Chicago
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $21–90
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Adult
- $21–90
Bus from Chicago to Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $23–60
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Bus from Grand Rapids to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $28–50
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr to Bloomington
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $17–45
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Bloomington
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–50
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 (319) 753-2864
- info@burlingtontrailways.com
- Website
- burlingtontrailways.com
Bus from Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr to Bloomington
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $25–50
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $25–40
- Flexible Fares
- $30–50
- Ave. Duration
- 38 min
- Estimated price
- $75–95
Yellow Cab of Grand Rapids
- Phone
- +1 616-459-4646
Metro Cab
- Phone
- +1 616-827-6500
- Website
- metrocabgr.com
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.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Grand Rapids to Normal bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Chicago station.
Normal is 1h behind Grand Rapids. It is currently 10:34 AM in Grand Rapids and 9:34 AM in Normal.
Grand Rapids to Normal train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Grand Rapids to Normal is 280 miles. It takes approximately 4h 43m to drive from Grand Rapids to Normal.
Book your Grand Rapids to Normal train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Grand Rapids to Normal bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 44+ hotels available in Normal.










