There are 8 ways to get from Indianapolis to Des Plaines by bus (Amtrak, Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, plane, 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.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Chicago Union Stationbus
4h 56m$36–62Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Indianapolis to Chicago Union Stationtrain Cardinal
6h 10m$59–123Drive 197.2 mi
- Drive from Indianapolis to Des Plainescar 197.2 mi
3h 36m$36–52Fly Indianapolis to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Fly from Indianapolis (IND) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane IND - ORD
3h 38m$423–957Bus via Lafayette
- Take the bus from Indianapolis Airport to Purdue Memorial Unionbus Indianapolis
- Take the bus from Purdue Memorial Union to O'Hare Multi-Modal Facilitybus Purdue
6h 15m$85–117Fly Indianapolis to Chicago Midway International Airport, train
- Fly from Indianapolis (IND) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane IND - MDW
- Take the train from Chicago OTC to Des Plainestrain
4h 42m$48–342Bus to Fort Wayne International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Take the bus from Indianapolis, IN to Fort Wayne, INbus
- Fly from Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane FWA - ORD
5h 12m$68–371Train to Purdue University Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Take the train from Indianapolis to Lafayette Amtrak Stationtrain
- Fly from Purdue University Airport (LAF) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane LAF - ORD
5h 9m$51–330
Indianapolis to Des Plaines by bus and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Indianapolis to Des Plaines is to bus which costs $35 - $65 and takes 4h 56m.
The fastest way to get from Indianapolis to Des Plaines is to drive which takes 3h 36m and costs $35 - $55.
No, there is no direct bus from Indianapolis station to Des Plaines. However, there are services departing from Indianapolis Union Station and arriving at Washington & Canal via Clinton & Quincy. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 56m.
No, there is no direct train from Indianapolis to Des Plaines. However, there are services departing from Indianapolis and arriving at Des Plaines via Chicago OTC. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 10m.
The distance between Indianapolis and Des Plaines is 204 miles. The road distance is 198.3 miles.
The best way to get from Indianapolis to Des Plaines without a car is to bus which takes 4h 56m and costs $35 - $65.
It takes approximately 4h 56m to get from Indianapolis to Des Plaines, including transfers.
Indianapolis to Des Plaines bus services, operated by Amtrak Thruway, depart from Indianapolis Union Station.
Indianapolis to Des Plaines train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Indianapolis station.
The best way to get from Indianapolis to Des Plaines is to bus which takes 4h 56m and costs $35 - $65. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $55 - $130 and takes 6h 10m, you could also fly, which costs $420 - $1,000 and takes 3h 38m.
What companies run services between Indianapolis, IN, USA and Des Plaines, IL, USA?
Amtrak Thruway operates a bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Chicago Union Station twice daily. Tickets cost $35–50 and the journey takes 3h 40m. Greyhound USA also services this route twice daily. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Indianapolis to Chicago Union Station 3 times a week. Tickets cost $50–120 and the journey takes 5h.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Indianapolis to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–290
Flights from Fort Wayne International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–240
Flights from Purdue University Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $29–230
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Indianapolis to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $50–120
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Indianapolis to Lafayette Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $20–45
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak Thruway
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $35–50
- Website
- Amtrak
- Adult
- $35–50
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More Questions & Answers
Indianapolis to Des Plaines bus services, operated by Amtrak Thruway, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Des Plaines is 1h behind Indianapolis. It is currently 10:59 AM in Indianapolis and 9:59 AM in Des Plaines.
Indianapolis to Des Plaines train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Indianapolis to Des Plaines is 198 miles. It takes approximately 3h 36m to drive from Indianapolis to Des Plaines.
There are 383+ hotels available in Des Plaines.




