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There are 8 ways to get from Chicago to Cincinnati by plane, car, 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.

Recommended option

Fly Chicago Midway to Covington  •  3h 27m

  1. Fly from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Covington (CVG) MDW - CVG

Cheapest option

Train, bus  •  8h 58m

  1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolis Cardinal
  2. Take the bus from Indianapolis Bus Station to Cincinnati Bus Station Greyhound US0120

6 alternative options

Fly Chicago O'Hare to Covington  •  3h 54m

  1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Covington (CVG) ORD - CVG

Fly Chicago O'Hare to Lexington, drive  •  4h 46m

  1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Lexington (LEX) ORD - LEX
  2. Drive from Lexington to Cincinnati

Bus  •  7h 5m

  1. Take the bus from Chicago Train Station to Cincinnati Bus Station Greyhound US0120

Bus via Indianapolis  •  7h 38m

  1. Take the bus from Chicago IL to Indianapolis IN Palmland
  2. Take the bus from Indianapolis Bus Station to Cincinnati Bus Station Greyhound US0120

Bus via New Paris  •  9h 54m

  1. Take the bus from Chicago to Richmond, IN Chicago
  2. Take the bus from Richmond Bsb, IN to Cincinnati, OH Detroit

Drive  •  4h 55m

  1. Drive from Chicago to Cincinnati 289.6 miles

Chicago to Cincinnati by bus

14 Weekly Buses
7h 5m Average Duration
$33 Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Cincinnati is to bus which costs $30 - $85 and takes 7h 5m.

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The fastest way to get from Chicago to Cincinnati is to fly which takes 3h 27m and costs $90 - $490.

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No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to Cincinnati. However, there are services departing from Chicago Train Station and arriving at Government Square Area C via Greyhound Station Arlington Heights. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 5m.

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The distance between Chicago and Cincinnati is 274 miles. The road distance is 289.6 miles.

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The best way to get from Chicago to Cincinnati without a car is to bus which takes 7h 5m and costs $30 - $85.

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It takes approximately 3h 27m to get from Chicago to Cincinnati, including transfers.

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Chicago to Cincinnati bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago Train Station.

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The best way to get from Chicago to Cincinnati is to fly which takes 3h 27m and costs $90 - $490. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $30 - $85 and takes 7h 5m.

Mode details

Chicago to Cincinnati bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Cincinnati Bus Station.

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Cincinnati is 1h ahead of Chicago. It is currently 4:59 PM in Chicago and 5:59 PM in Cincinnati.

Map of how to get from Chicago to Cincinnati.
Launch map view
  • Distance: 274.2 miles
  • Duration: 3h 27m

What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Cincinnati, OH, USA?

Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago to Cincinnati 3 times a day. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Chicago Train Station to Cincinnati Bus Station twice daily. Tickets cost $30 - $80 and the journey takes 6h.

Airlines
United Airlines
Website
united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Covington
Ave. Duration
1h 21m
When
Every day
Estimated price
$140 - $450
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Lexington
Ave. Duration
1h 28m
When
Every day
Estimated price
$130 - $420
American Airlines
Website
aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Covington
Ave. Duration
1h 17m
When
Every day
Estimated price
$110 - $470
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Lexington
Ave. Duration
1h 30m
When
Every day
Estimated price
$110 - $420
Southwest Airlines
Website
southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway to Covington
Ave. Duration
1h 5m
When
Every day
Estimated price
$120 - $320
Train operators
Amtrak

Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities.

Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
Phone
+1 800-872-7245
Website
amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolis
Ave. Duration
4h 54m
Frequency
3 times a week
Estimated price
$8 - $110
Website
https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Child Coach - Advance Purchase
$8 - $35
Child Coach - short notice
$23 - $35
Child Business Class - advance purchase
$19 - $65
Child Business Class - short notice
$21 - $65
Coach Seat - Advance Purchase
$27 - $50
Business Seat - advance purchase
$40 - $130
Business Seat - short notice
$45 - $120
Coach Seat - short notice
$23 - $110
Bus operators
Greyhound USA

Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app.

Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
Phone
+1 214-849-8100
Email
ifsr@greyhound.com
Website
greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago Train Station to Cincinnati Bus Station
Ave. Duration
6h
Frequency
Twice daily
Estimated price
$30 - $80
Website
https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Indianapolis Bus Station to Cincinnati Bus Station
Ave. Duration
1h 55m
Frequency
Twice daily
Estimated price
$11 - $45
Website
https://www.greyhound.com/
Palmland Bus Lines
Website
palmlandlines.com
Bus from Chicago IL to Indianapolis IN
Ave. Duration
3h 20m
Frequency
Hourly
Estimated price
$50 - $65
Schedules at
palmlandlines.com
Barons Bus
Phone
+1 888-378-3823
Email
info@baronsbus.com
Website
baronsbus.com
Bus from Chicago to Richmond, IN
Ave. Duration
6h 20m
Frequency
Once daily
Estimated price
$26 - $70
Website
https://baronsbus.com/
Bus from Richmond Bsb, IN to Cincinnati, OH
Ave. Duration
1h 30m
Frequency
Once daily
Estimated price
$6 - $40
Website
https://baronsbus.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.

More Questions & Answers

Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Cincinnati is 290 miles. It takes approximately 4h 55m to drive from Chicago to Cincinnati.

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There are 509+ hotels available in Cincinnati. Prices start at $56 USD per night.

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