There are 7 ways to get from Chicago to St. Louis by train, bus, car or plane
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
Train • 5h 6m
6 alternative options
Bus • 6h 20m
Drive • 4h 58m
Fly Chicago Midway to St. Louis • 4h 3m
Fly Chicago O'Hare to St. Louis • 4h 32m
Train to Milwaukee, fly to St. Louis • 5h 51m
Chicago to St. Louis by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to St. Louis is to train which costs $11 - $130 and takes 5h 6m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to St. Louis is to fly which takes 4h 3m and costs $90 - $490.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Chicago Bus Station station and arriving at St Louis Bus Station station. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 20m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Chicago Union Station station and arriving at St. Louis. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 6m.
The distance between Chicago and St. Louis is 282 miles. The road distance is 298.2 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to St. Louis without a car is to train which takes 5h 6m and costs $11 - $130.
The train from Chicago Union Station to St. Louis takes 5h 6m including transfers and departs five times a day.
Chicago to St. Louis bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago to St. Louis train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to St. Louis is to train which takes 5h 6m and costs $11 - $130. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $35 - $85 and takes 6h 20m, you could also fly, which costs $90 - $490 and takes 4h 3m.
- Distance: 282.3 miles
- Duration: 5h 6m
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and St. Louis, MO, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to St. Louis 5 times a day. Tickets cost $11 - $130 and the journey takes 5h 6m. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station once daily. Tickets cost $35 - $85 and the journey takes 6h 20m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $480
Flights from Milwaukee to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 12m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100 - $350
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $450
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Springfield
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100 - $290
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $450
- Website
- gojetairlines.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 29m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $28 - $260
- Website
- iflysouthern.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to St. Louis via Quincy
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $70 - $200
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 Springfield to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 58m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $4 - $80
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Child Coach - Advance Purchase
- $4 - $23
- Child Coach - short notice
- $14 - $25
- Child Business Class - advance purchase
- $13 - $45
- Child Business Class - short notice
- $15 - $50
- Coach Seat - Advance Purchase
- $19 - $30
- Business Seat - advance purchase
- $29 - $95
- Business Seat - short notice
- $35 - $75
- Coach Seat - short notice
- $13 - $80
Train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukee
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 29m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $3 - $75
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Child Coach - Advance Purchase
- $3 - $22
- Child Coach - short notice
- $13 - $24
- Child Business Class - advance purchase
- $13 - $45
- Child Business Class - short notice
- $15 - $45
- Coach Seat - Advance Purchase
- $18 - $30
- Business Seat - advance purchase
- $28 - $90
- Business Seat - short notice
- $30 - $75
- Coach Seat - short notice
- $11 - $75
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 Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35 - $85
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.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.
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Chicago to St. Louis bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at St Louis Bus Station.
Chicago to St. Louis train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at St. Louis station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to St. Louis is 298 miles. It takes approximately 4h 58m to drive from Chicago to St. Louis.
Book your Chicago to St. Louis train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Chicago to St. Louis bus tickets online with FlixBus.
There are 307+ hotels available in St. Louis. Prices start at $41 USD per night.