Bus San Francisco to Chicago: Compare prices and save money

Compare all timetables for the bus from San Francisco to Chicago

Here is a selection of the cheapest bus trips from the schedule from San Francisco to Chicago from various bus operators like Greyhound US or FlixBus for the next days.

today

$143

tomorrow

Tuesday

$138

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

$145

Saturday

Cheapest bus trips today
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
FlixBus	69h 5m	8:55 AM	San Francisco	5th/Townsend	8:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	Economy	$143	A Bus from FlixBus goes from 5th/Townsend, San Francisco (USA) at 10/18/2026 8:55:00 AM to Union Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/21/2026 8:00:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $143 per person are available. Travel duration is 69h 5m
Greyhound US	64h 50m	1:10 PM	San Francisco	Bus Station Transbay	8:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	Economy	$144	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Station Transbay, San Francisco (USA) at 10/18/2026 1:10:00 PM to Union Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/21/2026 8:00:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $144 per person are available. Travel duration is 64h 50m
Greyhound US	49h 15m	1:10 PM	San Francisco	Bus Station Transbay	4:25 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$162	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Station Transbay, San Francisco (USA) at 10/18/2026 1:10:00 PM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/20/2026 4:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $162 per person are available. Travel duration is 49h 15m
FlixBus	53h 30m	8:55 AM	San Francisco	5th/Townsend	4:25 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$163	A Bus from FlixBus goes from 5th/Townsend, San Francisco (USA) at 10/18/2026 8:55:00 AM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/20/2026 4:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $163 per person are available. Travel duration is 53h 30m
FlixBus	83h 55m	6:05 PM	San Francisco	5th/Townsend	8:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	Economy	$180	A Bus from FlixBus goes from 5th/Townsend, San Francisco (USA) at 10/18/2026 6:05:00 PM to Union Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/22/2026 8:00:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $180 per person are available. Travel duration is 83h 55m

Cheapest bus trips Tuesday
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Greyhound US	51h 15m	1:10 PM	San Francisco	Bus Station Transbay	6:25 PM	Chicago	95th Red Line Station	Economy	$138	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Station Transbay, San Francisco (USA) at 10/20/2026 1:10:00 PM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/22/2026 6:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $138 per person are available. Travel duration is 51h 15m
FlixBus	55h 30m	8:55 AM	San Francisco	5th/Townsend	6:25 PM	Chicago	95th Red Line Station	Economy	$140	A Bus from FlixBus goes from 5th/Townsend, San Francisco (USA) at 10/20/2026 8:55:00 AM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/22/2026 6:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $140 per person are available. Travel duration is 55h 30m
Greyhound US	49h 15m	1:10 PM	San Francisco	Bus Station Transbay	4:25 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$154	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Station Transbay, San Francisco (USA) at 10/20/2026 1:10:00 PM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/22/2026 4:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $154 per person are available. Travel duration is 49h 15m
FlixBus	53h 30m	8:55 AM	San Francisco	5th/Townsend	4:25 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$155	A Bus from FlixBus goes from 5th/Townsend, San Francisco (USA) at 10/20/2026 8:55:00 AM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/22/2026 4:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $155 per person are available. Travel duration is 53h 30m
Greyhound US	64h 50m	1:10 PM	San Francisco	Bus Station Transbay	8:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	Economy	$156	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Station Transbay, San Francisco (USA) at 10/20/2026 1:10:00 PM to Union Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/23/2026 8:00:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $156 per person are available. Travel duration is 64h 50m

Cheapest bus trips Friday
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Greyhound US	51h 15m	1:10 PM	San Francisco	Salesforce Transit Center	6:25 PM	Chicago	95th Red Line Station	Economy	$145	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Salesforce Transit Center, San Francisco (USA) at 10/23/2026 1:10:00 PM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/25/2026 6:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $145 per person are available. Travel duration is 51h 15m
FlixBus	55h 45m	8:40 AM	San Francisco	5th/Townsend	6:25 PM	Chicago	95th Red Line Station	Economy	$146	A Bus from FlixBus goes from 5th/Townsend, San Francisco (USA) at 10/23/2026 8:40:00 AM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/25/2026 6:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $146 per person are available. Travel duration is 55h 45m
Greyhound US	49h 15m	1:10 PM	San Francisco	Salesforce Transit Center	4:25 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$167	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Salesforce Transit Center, San Francisco (USA) at 10/23/2026 1:10:00 PM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/25/2026 4:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $167 per person are available. Travel duration is 49h 15m
Greyhound US	65h 55m	10:30 PM	San Francisco	Salesforce Transit Center	6:25 PM	Chicago	95th Red Line Station	Economy	$167	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Salesforce Transit Center, San Francisco (USA) at 10/23/2026 10:30:00 PM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/26/2026 6:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $167 per person are available. Travel duration is 65h 55m
FlixBus	53h 45m	8:40 AM	San Francisco	5th/Townsend	4:25 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$169	A Bus from FlixBus goes from 5th/Townsend, San Francisco (USA) at 10/23/2026 8:40:00 AM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 10/25/2026 4:25:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $169 per person are available. Travel duration is 53h 45m

Best Price Offer: The price for the cheapest bus from San Francisco to Chicago is $134 on 11/6/2026. Flexible travelers save on ticket prices.

Frequency of bus connections between San Francisco and Chicago

See here how frequent the connections between San Francisco and Chicago are, during different times and days of the week.

Friday is the busiest day, with more than 20 daily buses from San Francisco to Chicago. Sunday has instead the fewest connections, with only 7 daily coaches between San Francisco and Chicago.

The busiest time of the day is the Evening, with 15 buses from San Francisco to Chicago, while Night sees the fewest connections between San Francisco and Chicago, with 2 offers.

Facts about the bus from San Francisco to Chicago

Compare all providers like Greyhound US and FlixBus that travel 13 times every day by bus from San Francisco to Chicago in one click! Book your bus ticket from San Francisco to Chicago starting from $134!

Cheapest Bus	$134
Fastest Bus	51h 15m
Earliest Bus	8:55 AM
Latest Bus	10:30 PM
Daily Bus Routes	13 Ø
Distance	1,853.7 miles
Bus Companies	Greyhound US and FlixBus

Cheapest bus connections from San Francisco to Chicago

Every day, 13 buses from 2 bus companies leave San Francisco for Chicago: in the table below, you will find the cheapest prices for a bus ticket for this route, starting from 10/18/2026 and for the following days.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday 10/18

$143

Monday 10/19

Tuesday 10/20

$138

Wednesday 10/21

Thursday 10/22

Friday 10/23

$145

Saturday 10/24

Sunday 10/25

$140

Monday 10/26

Tuesday 10/27

$206

Wednesday 10/28

$147

Thursday 10/29

$168

Friday 10/30

$211

Saturday 10/31

$163

Sunday 11/01

Monday 11/02

$138

Tuesday 11/03

$149

Wednesday 11/04

Thursday 11/05

$144

Friday 11/06

$134

Saturday 11/07

$151

Sunday 11/08

$146

Monday 11/09

$151

Tuesday 11/10

Wednesday 11/11

$154

Thursday 11/12

$140

Friday 11/13

Saturday 11/14

The cheapest time to travel from San Francisco to Chicago

See here on which day and which time of the day you can find the cheapest bus ticket from San Francisco to Chicago, for the next 30 days.

With a price starting from $134, Friday is the cheapest day for a bus from San Francisco to Chicago. Sunday instead is the most expensive day with prices starting from $140.

Night is the cheapest day time for bus tickets from San Francisco to Chicago, with $134. Evening is the most expensive time of the day with prices starting from $161.

How to save money travelling from San Francisco to Chicago

Travel can be expensive, but it doesn't need to be! Do you want to avoid paying a terrible price for your trip? Then follow these quick steps to save money:

Book the ticket from San Francisco to Chicago in advance! The earlier you book, the cheaper usually the price is. Also, you will be sure to have a place on the bus from San Francisco to Chicago, compared instead if you buy it at the last moment, or directly at the station.

If you can, avoid travelling at peak times. Instead of weekend, try travelling during the week. Travelling in the evening or at night it’s also cheaper, and later buses from San Francisco to Chicago are also emptier.

All bus stations and stops in San Francisco and Chicago

In the map below, you can see where to find all bus stations in San Francisco and Chicago.

South Van Ness Ave & Market St

5th/Townsend

Townsend St 400

Union Square

Post St 470

Bus Station Transbay

Folsom Street 200

One Ferry Building

Passenger Loading Zone in front of Ferry Building on Embarcadero. Bus will stop near Marketbar Cafe.

95th Red Line Station

W. 95th St 14

Downtown Bus Station

West Harrison Street 630-670

Union Station

S Canal St 225

Cumberland CTA

N Cumberland Ave 5800

Canal & Van Buren

S Canal St 310-320

Service and Comfort on the bus from San Francisco to Chicago

Want to know which seat classes are available on the buses from San Francisco to Chicago? Or which bus companies serve the route San Francisco to Chicago? Below you will find answers to your questions.

FAQs about the San Francisco to Chicago bus

How much does a San Francisco Chicago bus trip cost?

This depends on, among other things, the day and time of travel. The cheapest trip is available from $134 and takes 53h 15m to reach Chicago. Compare offers to save money!

How much could I save by comparing buses from San Francisco to Chicago?

This route is offered by 2 companies with a range of ticket prices between $134 and $225. Thus, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to make sure you get the cheapest bus ticket to Chicago.

On average, how many connections are available from San Francisco to Chicago each day?

Every day, the San Francisco to Chicago bus route is served by approximately 13 connections. With our search, you can compare bus times to find the perfect trip.

How long does a bus journey from San Francisco to Chicago take?

The fastest bus from San Francisco to Chicago is offered by Greyhound US and takes 51h 15m. Bus tickets for this connection cost $162. In this context, bear in mind that the journey can take longer due to traffic.

What time is the first bus from San Francisco to Chicago?

The earliest bus arriving in Chicago from San Francisco starts at 8:55 AM. However, information regarding departure times may differ on weekends and holidays. Simply use our search to find exact times for your planned travel date.

What time is the last bus from San Francisco to Chicago?

The latest bus trip departing from San Francisco for Chicago starts at 10:30 PM. Please note that departure times may differ on weekends and holidays. So just use our search to find the exact times for your planned travel date.

Which bus companies operate the San Francisco Chicago route?

When traveling by bus from San Francisco to Chicago, passengers can travel with Greyhound US and FlixBus. With our search, you can compare all available bus tickets to book the one that works for you.

Is there a direct bus between San Francisco and Chicago?

You can check all the direct connections between San Francisco and Chicago by using our search and looking at the Changes section in our filters. These are some of the companies which offer a direct bus: Greyhound US and FlixBus.

What can I take with me on the San Francisco to Chicago bus route?

Depending on which provider you travel with, what you're allowed to bring with you can vary. Generally, you can take a suitcase and hand luggage with you on the San Francisco Chicago bus route free of charge. Simply use our search to find a bus that is best suited to your needs for your planned travel date.

What equipment is available for the San Francisco Chicago bus route?

The equipment on board differs depending on the provider. However, many long-distance buses have WiFi so you can tell your friends your exact location during the journey. To make traveling even more pleasant, air conditioning systems provide ventilation. It is best to use our search to get precise information about the equipment of the bus from San Francisco to Chicago on your planned travel date.

How does CheckMyBus find the best bus deals from San Francisco to Chicago?

CheckMyBus collaborates directly with companies around the world to provide you with the best options when searching for a trip. We retrieve their first-hand data to show you real-time prices, schedules, and seat availability for 13 daily trips between San Francisco and Chicago. With the most up-to-date information from verified sources, you can fairly compare all available options and choose the trip that suits you best.

How does CheckMyBus technology work for trips from San Francisco to Chicago?

Prices and availability for 13 trips between San Francisco and Chicago change constantly. To provide you with the most up-to-date information, we connect directly with bus operators, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), and Global Distribution Systems (GDS) via real-time interfaces (APIs). The data collected from these sources undergoes strict quality checks, is processed within our infrastructure, and is then presented to you on our search results pages. Visit our About Us page to learn more.

Available seat classes which are offered on the bus route San Francisco to Chicago

Economy

The cheapest option available for your ticket, it usually comes with reclinable seats and AC.

More bus routes to San Francisco and to Chicago

Here’s an overview of the most popular bus routes to San Francisco and to Chicago. Simply click on the connection of your choice, and you will find all the details about your bus route!