There are 9 ways to get from St. Louis to Des Plaines by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus), car, train, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly Lambert–St. Louis International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
best- Fly from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane STL - ORD
3h 30m$324–758Drive 295.8 mi
cheapest- Drive from St. Louis to Des Plainescar 295.8 mi
5h 7m$54–78Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from St. Louis to Chicago Union Stationtrain Lincoln Service / ...
6h 5m$162–246Bus (Flixbus)
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus FlixBus N2521 / ...
7h 13m$55–80Fly Lambert–St. Louis International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport, train
- Fly from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane STL - MDW
- Take the train from Chicago OTC to Des Plainestrain
4h 32m$58–352Train to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Take the train from St. Louis to Springfieldtrain
- Fly from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane SPI - ORD
4h 41m$97–382Bus to Williamson County Regional Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Take the bus from St. Louis to Carbondalebus
- Fly from Williamson County Regional Airport (MWA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane MWA - ORD
5h 24m$125–326Bus to Decatur Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Decatur Downtown Transportation Centerbus
- Fly from Decatur Airport (DEC) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane DEC - ORD
5h 33m$65–332Train, bus
- Take the train from St. Louis to Bloomington-Normaltrain Lincoln Service / ...
- Take the bus from Uptown Station to Woodfield Mallbus Peoria line
7h 45m$134–196
St. Louis to Des Plaines by train, foot, and bus (Amtrak)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from St. Louis to Des Plaines is to bus which costs $55 - $80 and takes 7h 13m.
The fastest way to get from St. Louis to Des Plaines is to fly which takes 3h 30m and costs $320 - $800.
No, there is no direct bus from St. Louis station to Des Plaines. However, there are services departing from St Louis Bus Station and arriving at Washington & Canal via Jefferson & Harrison. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 13m.
No, there is no direct train from St. Louis to Des Plaines. However, there are services departing from St. Louis and arriving at Des Plaines via Chicago OTC. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 5m.
The distance between St. Louis and Des Plaines is 277 miles. The road distance is 297.5 miles.
The best way to get from St. Louis to Des Plaines without a car is to train which takes 6h 5m and costs $160 - $250.
It takes approximately 3h 30m to get from St. Louis to Des Plaines, including transfers.
St. Louis to Des Plaines bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from St Louis Bus Station.
St. Louis to Des Plaines train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from St. Louis station.
The best way to get from St. Louis to Des Plaines is to fly which takes 3h 30m and costs $320 - $800. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $160 - $250 and takes 6h 5m, you could also bus, which costs $55 - $80 and takes 7h 13m.
What companies run services between St. Louis, MO, USA and Des Plaines, IL, USA?
American Airlines, GoJet Airlines, and United Airlines fly from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) hourly. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from St. Louis to Chicago Union Station 5 times a day. Tickets cost $150–240 and the journey takes 4h 55m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $50–340
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–270
Flights from Decatur Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–270
Flights from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 22m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
Flights from Williamson County Regional Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–290
- Website
- gojetairlines.com
Flights from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–270
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from St. Louis to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $150–240
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from St. Louis to Springfield
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–85
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from St. Louis to Bloomington-Normal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 33m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $85–140
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 312-696-3872
- Website
- Metra
Train from Chicago OTC to Des Plaines
- Ave. Duration
- 34 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $4–5
- Website
- Metra
- Adult
- $4–5
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–75
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Bus from St. Louis to Carbondale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $14–22
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Decatur Downtown Transportation Center
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $20–35
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from St. Louis to Carbondale
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 800-448-0572
- [email protected]
- Website
- Peoria Charter
Bus from Uptown Station to Woodfield Mall
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–60
- Website
- Peoria Charter
- Schedules at
- Peoria Charter Schedules
- cash
- $60
- online
- $45
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Booking & Getting There
St. Louis to Des Plaines bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
St. Louis to Des Plaines train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between St. Louis to Des Plaines is 298 miles. It takes approximately 5h 7m to drive from St. Louis to Des Plaines.
There are 383+ hotels available in Des Plaines.










