There are 6 ways to get from Chicago to Columbia by plane, train, bus, taxi, shuttle or car
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 • 3h 23m
Cheapest option
Train, bus • 8h 46m
4 alternative options
Train, taxi • 8h 35m
Bus • 10h
Bus, shuttle • 11h 55m
Drive • 6h 44m
Chicago to Columbia by train and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Columbia is to train and bus which costs $24 - $180 and takes 8h 46m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Columbia is to fly which takes 3h 23m and costs $260 - $700.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to Columbia. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at Columbia via St Louis Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 10h.
The distance between Chicago and Columbia is 348 miles. The road distance is 387.6 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Columbia without a car is to train and bus which takes 8h 46m and costs $24 - $180.
It takes approximately 3h 23m to get from Chicago to Columbia, including transfers.
Chicago to Columbia bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Columbia is to fly which takes 3h 23m and costs $260 - $700. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $45 - $140 and takes 10h.
Chicago to Columbia bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Columbia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Columbia is 388 miles. It takes approximately 6h 44m to drive from Chicago to Columbia.
- Distance: 348.3 miles
- Duration: 3h 23m
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Columbia, MO, USA?
American Airlines flies from Chicago to Columbia 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago to Columbia via St Louis Bus Station in around 10h.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Columbia
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230 - $600
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 St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 6m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $11 - $130
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Child Coach - Advance Purchase
- $11 - $45
- Child Coach - short notice
- $27 - $45
- Child Business Class - advance purchase
- $23 - $75
- Child Business Class - short notice
- $26 - $80
- Coach Seat - Advance Purchase
- $30 - $75
- Business Seat - advance purchase
- $45 - $150
- Business Seat - short notice
- $55 - $150
- Coach Seat - short notice
- $30 - $130
Train from Chicago Union Station to Jefferson City Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 2m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16 - $150
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Child Coach - Advance Purchase
- $16 - $60
- Child Coach - short notice
- $30 - $55
- Child Business Class - advance purchase
- $29 - $95
- Child Business Class - short notice
- $30 - $95
- Coach Seat - Advance Purchase
- $40 - $100
- Business Seat - advance purchase
- $60 - $190
- Business Seat - short notice
- $65 - $190
- Coach Seat - short notice
- $45 - $150
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
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Columbia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $13 - $50
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $35 - $85
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 (319) 735-2864
- info@burlingtontrailways.com
- Website
- burlingtontrailways.com
Bus from Chicago, Il to Burlington, Ia
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $50 - $110
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $50 - $80
- Flexible Fares
- $70 - $110
Bus from Burlington, Ia to Hannibal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30 - $65
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $30 - $50
- Flexible Fares
- $40 - $65
- Phone
- +1-888-875-6287
- Website
- oatstransit.org
Shuttle from Hannibal to Columbia
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $4 - $6
- Website
- https://www.oatstransit.org
- Schedules at
- https://www.oatstransit.org/schedules
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.
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Book your Chicago to Columbia bus tickets online with FlixBus.
There are 44+ hotels available in Columbia. Prices start at $39 USD per night.