There are 7 ways to get from Chicago to Balboa Park by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), car, train, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport
best- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane MDW - SAN
6h 53m$166–715Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
cheapest- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane ORD - SAN
7h 13m$116–565Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain Southwest Chief
- Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diegotrain Pacific Surfliner
46h 33m$597–1,315Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to San Diegobus
2d 3h$369–595Drive 2,074.2 mi
- Drive from Chicago to Balboa Parkcar 2,074.2 mi
32h 35m$379–547Train to General Mitchell International Airport, fly to San Diego International Airport
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukeetrain
- Fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane MKE - SAN
8h 31m$208–872Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, bus
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane MDW - LAX
- Take the bus from LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop to San Diegobus
10h 7m$200–720
Chicago to Balboa Park by train, bus, and foot (Amtrak)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Balboa Park is to fly which costs $110 - $600 and takes 7h 13m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Balboa Park is to fly which takes 6h 53m and costs $160 - $750.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to Balboa Park. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at Park Bl & Zoo Pl via St Louis Bus Station, Los Angeles and Santa Fe Depot. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 3h.
No, there is no direct train from Chicago station to Balboa Park. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at San Diego via Fullerton Amtrak Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 46h 33m.
The distance between Chicago and Balboa Park is 1753 miles. The road distance is 2086.3 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Balboa Park without a car is to train which takes 46h 33m and costs $550 - $1,400.
It takes approximately 6h 53m to get from Chicago to Balboa Park, including transfers.
Chicago to Balboa Park bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago to Balboa Park train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Balboa Park is to fly which takes 6h 53m and costs $160 - $750. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $550 - $1,400 and takes 46h 33m, you could also bus, which costs $360 - $600 and takes 2 days 3h.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Balboa Park, San Diego County, CA, USA?
Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from Chicago Union Station to Balboa Park via Fullerton Amtrak Station, San Diego, Santa Fe Depot, and Park Bl & Zoo Pl in around 46h 33m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–700
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 12m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via El Paso
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Omaha
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 22m
- When
- Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 20m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 3m
- When
- Sunday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 13m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 11m
- When
- Sunday, Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $190–800
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Tuesday and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 7m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 6m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 42h 44m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $550–1,300
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 26m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $26–60
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukee
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 29m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $21–50
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–70
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
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
Booking & Getting There
Chicago to Balboa Park bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at St Louis Bus Station.
Balboa Park is 2h behind Chicago. It is currently 5:10 PM in Chicago and 3:10 PM in Balboa Park.
Chicago to Balboa Park train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Fullerton Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Balboa Park is 2086 miles. It takes approximately 32h 35m to drive from Chicago to Balboa Park.
There are 2368+ hotels available in Balboa Park.