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How to get fromChicago to Brainerdby plane, train, taxi, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, or bus

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There are 10 ways to get from Chicago to Brainerd by plane, train, taxi, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, 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.

  1. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD)plane plane ORD - BRD
    5h 50m
    $70–347

  2. Train, taxi (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Staples Stationtrain train Empire Builder
    2. Take the taxi from Staples Station to Brainerdtaxi taxi
    11h 44m
    $232–430

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Minneapolis Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0150
    2. Take the bus from Minneapolis to Brainerdbus bus Jefferson Lines 927
    12h
    $99–175

  4. Drive 531.9 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to Brainerdcar car 531.9 mi
    8h 57m
    $98–141

  5. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD)plane plane MDW - BRD
    6h 22m
    $86–427

  6. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)plane plane ORD - MSP
    2. Take the bus from Minneapolis / St Paul Airport to Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - Brainerdbus bus
    7h 44m
    $282–515

  7. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)plane plane MDW - MSP
    2. Take the bus from Minneapolis / St Paul Airport to Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - Brainerdbus bus
    7h 32m
    $132–515

  8. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to St. Paul-Minneapolistrain train Borealis / ...
    2. Take the bus from Minneapolis to Brainerdbus bus Jefferson Lines 927
    11h 55m
    $161–319

  9. Train, bus via Minneapolis Airport (MSP)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to St. Paul-Minneapolistrain train Borealis / ...
    2. Take the bus from Minneapolis / St Paul Airport to Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - Brainerdbus bus Groome Transportation - Brainerd
    12h 44m
    $186–324

  10. Bus via Madison

    1. Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Mall of America - IKEA - Bloomingtonbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Minneapolis to Brainerdbus bus
    13h 54m
    $118–187

Chicago to Brainerd by bus

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration12hAverage Duration
Ticket$99Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Chicago to Brainerd.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 458.7 mi
  • Duration: 5h 50m

What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Brainerd, MN, USA?

Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD) 5 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Brainerd via Minneapolis in around 12h.

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