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How to get fromChicago to Santa Cruzby plane, bus, train, subway, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), or car

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There are 9 ways to get from Chicago to Santa Cruz by plane, bus, train, subway, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), 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.

  1. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane MDW - SJC
    2. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    7h 47m
    $208–829

  2. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane ORD - SFO
    2. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    8h 46m
    $148–321

  3. Train, BART, bus

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Richmondtrain train
    2. Take the subway from Richmond to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Ocean & Waterbus bus 17
    2d 7h
    $786–1,602

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Jose Diridon Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    2d 7h
    $391–750

  5. Drive 2,183.9 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to Santa Cruzcar car 2,183.9 mi
    33h 57m
    $399–576

  6. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane ORD - SJC
    2. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    8h 19m
    $168–519

  7. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Oakland International Airport, BART, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane MDW - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    8h 35m
    $222–887

  8. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane MDW - SFO
    2. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    8h 28m
    $208–451

  9. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Sacramento International Airport, train, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)plane plane MDW - SMF
    2. Take the train from Sacramento to San Josetrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    11h 46m
    $254–964

Chicago to Santa Cruz by train, subway, and bus

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration2d 7hAverage Duration
Ticket$786Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Chicago to Santa Cruz.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,882.3 mi
  • Duration: 7h 47m

What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Santa Cruz, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Soquel Ave & Front via St Louis Bus Station, Los Angeles Union Station, San Jose Diridon Station, and Diridon Station in around 2d 7h.

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