Bus from San Jose, US to Chicago: Tickets & Schedules

Next departures

Next departures for San Jose to Chicago on January 15
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Diridon Station
Chicago 95Th & Dan RyanCheapest
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Diridon Station
Downtown Greyhound StationFastest
Amtrak
Diridon Station
Chicago (Union Station), ILNo tags
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Diridon Station
537-517 W. Jackson BlvdNo tags
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Diridon Station
Chicago 95Th & Dan RyanNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 12:26 AM PST.

Compare 2 ways to go from San Jose to Chicago

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Bus stands out as a good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 2 days, 13 hours 35 minutes, and with fares starting at just $160, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5bus per day
2d 13hAverage Duration
2959 kmDistance
74kgCO₂ emissions
Average Price$160 - $1,065Average Duration2d 13h
74kg CO₂e
Average Price$206 - $4,557Average Duration2d 18h
269kg CO₂e

Frequently asked questions about travelling from San Jose, US to Chicago by bus

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

  1. How much is the bus ticket from San Jose to Chicago?

    The cheapest bus tickets from San Jose to Chicago start from $160. The average price for this route is around $434. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

  2. How long is the bus ride from San Jose to Chicago?

    The average bus travel time from San Jose to Chicago is 2d 13h, covering a distance of 2959 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 2d 6h and is operated by Amtrak.

  3. Which bus companies service the San Jose to Chicago route?

    Several major bus companies operate on this route with 5 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, Amtrak, FlixBus.

  4. What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from San Jose to Chicago?

    The earliest bus departs from San Jose to Chicago at 12:55am. And the latest bus departs at 11:30pm.

  5. What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from San Jose to Chicago?

    A bus trip from San Jose to Chicago generates an estimated 74 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

  6. What is the best bus company from San Jose to Chicago?

    According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Amtrak, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 5696 reviews.

  7. Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from San Jose to Chicago?

    Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Amtrak has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.

  8. Which bus company has the best on-time performance from San Jose to Chicago?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

  9. Which bus company has the cleanest buses from San Jose to Chicago?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Amtrak, with a cleanliness rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found
01-11
$357
01-12
$312
Today
$312
01-14
$312
01-15
$1,153
01-16
$372
01-17
$585
01-18
$312
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Jose, US to Chicago was searched and found on Jan 12, 2026 with a price of $312

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from San Jose, US to Chicago, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $312 to $3,119 for a bus ticket from San Jose, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $312 which is on 2026-01-14.

Usually Amtrak will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

What's the cheapest way to go from San Jose, US to Chicago?

busbud logoThe Bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

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