Which bus from Chicago to San Francisco is the cheapest?

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Compare all timetables for the bus from Chicago to San Francisco

Here is a selection of the cheapest bus trips from the schedule from Chicago to San Francisco from various bus operators like Greyhound US or FlixBus for the next days.

today
tomorrow
$184
Wednesday
$146
Thursday
$188
Friday
Saturday
$137
Sunday
$132

Cheapest bus trips tomorrow

Mode of Transport BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName Duration Departure time From Departure Arrival time To Destination Logo Seat classes Price
Greyhound US 50h 10m 12:25 PM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 12:35 PM San Francisco Bus Station Transbay  Economy $184
Greyhound US 58h 0m 11:10 PM Chicago Union Station 7:10 AM San Francisco Bus Station Transbay  Economy $236
  • Did you know that if you travel from Chicago to San Francisco via Oakland, you can save more than $18? You can find the corresponding connections below.
    • FlixBus
      62h 40m
      0
      11:55 PM
      Chicago
      95th Red Line Station
      11:55 AM
      Oakland
      W Oakland BART Station
      0
      FlixBus
      Economy
      $162
      • Waiting Time 0h 10m
    • Greyhound US
      0h 30m
      0
      12:05 PM
      Oakland
      W Oakland BART Station
      12:35 PM
      San Francisco
      Salesforce Transit Center
      0
      Greyhound US
      Economy
      $4
    Travel time is 14h 30m longer, but you will save $18

Cheapest bus trips Wednesday

Mode of Transport BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName Duration Departure time From Departure Arrival time To Destination Logo Seat classes Price
FlixBus 62h 40m 11:55 PM Chicago 95th Red Line Station 12:35 PM San Francisco Bus Station Transbay  Economy $146
Greyhound US 50h 10m 12:25 PM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 12:35 PM San Francisco Salesforce Transit Center  Economy $154
Greyhound US 59h 0m 11:45 PM Chicago 95th Red Line Station 8:45 AM San Francisco 5th/Townsend  Economy $181
Greyhound US 92h 45m 11:10 PM Chicago Canal & Van Buren 5:55 PM San Francisco 5th/Townsend  Economy $185

Cheapest bus trips Thursday

Mode of Transport BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName Duration Departure time From Departure Arrival time To Destination Logo Seat classes Price
Greyhound US 50h 10m 12:25 PM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 12:35 PM San Francisco Bus Station Transbay  Economy $188
Greyhound US 68h 45m 11:10 PM Chicago Union Station 5:55 PM San Francisco 5th/Townsend  Economy $202
Greyhound US 58h 0m 11:10 PM Chicago Union Station 7:10 AM San Francisco Bus Station Transbay  Economy $237
  • Did you know that if you travel from Oakland to Chicago via San Francisco, you can save more than $185? You will find the corresponding connections below.
    • Save more than 98%
      0h 30m
      0 mi
      12:05 PM
      Oakland
      W Oakland BART Station
      12:35 PM
      San Francisco
      Salesforce Transit Center
      1846 mi
      Chicago
      Economy
      $3
  • Did you know that if you travel from Chicago to San Francisco via Oakland, you can save more than $26? You can find the corresponding connections below.
    • Greyhound US
      68h 30m
      0
      12:25 PM
      Chicago
      Downtown Bus Station
      9:05 PM
      Oakland
      Greyhound Bus Station
      0
      Greyhound US
      Economy
      $158
      • Waiting Time 9h 25m
    • FlixBus
      0h 25m
      0
      6:30 AM
      Oakland
      W Oakland BART Station
      6:55 AM
      San Francisco
      5th/Townsend
      0
      FlixBus
      Economy
      $4
    Travel time is 20h 20m longer, but you will save $26

Cheapest bus trips Saturday

Mode of Transport BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName Duration Departure time From Departure Arrival time To Destination Logo Seat classes Price
FlixBus 57h 0m 12:15 AM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 7:15 AM San Francisco Salesforce Transit Center  Economy $137
FlixBus 57h 50m 12:15 AM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 8:05 AM San Francisco 5th/Townsend  Economy $138
Greyhound US 56h 4m 12:01 PM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 6:05 PM San Francisco 5th/Townsend  Economy $138
Greyhound US 58h 25m 10:50 PM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 7:15 AM San Francisco Salesforce Transit Center  Economy $147
Greyhound US 58h 5m 11:10 PM Chicago Canal & Van Buren 7:15 AM San Francisco Salesforce Transit Center  Economy $147

Cheapest bus trips Sunday

Mode of Transport BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName Duration Departure time From Departure Arrival time To Destination Logo Seat classes Price
Greyhound US 56h 4m 12:01 PM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 6:05 PM San Francisco 5th/Townsend  Economy $132
FlixBus 57h 0m 12:15 AM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 7:15 AM San Francisco Salesforce Transit Center  Economy $137
Greyhound US 58h 25m 10:50 PM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 7:15 AM San Francisco Salesforce Transit Center  Economy $137
Greyhound US 58h 5m 11:10 PM Chicago Canal & Van Buren 7:15 AM San Francisco Salesforce Transit Center  Economy $137
FlixBus 57h 50m 12:15 AM Chicago Downtown Bus Station 8:05 AM San Francisco 5th/Townsend  Economy $138

Best Price Offer: The price for the cheapest bus from Chicago to San Francisco is $122 on 9/22/2026. Flexible travelers save on ticket prices.


Frequency of bus connections between Chicago and San Francisco

See here how frequent the connections between Chicago and San Francisco are, during different times and days of the week.
Saturday is the busiest day, with more than 17 daily buses from Chicago to San Francisco. Tuesday has instead the fewest connections, with only 2 daily coaches between Chicago and San Francisco.
The busiest time of the day is the Evening, with 25 buses from Chicago to San Francisco, while Morning sees the fewest connections between Chicago and San Francisco, with 3 offers.

Facts about the bus from Chicago to San Francisco

Compare all providers like Greyhound US and FlixBus that travel 8 times every day by bus from Chicago to San Francisco in one click! Book your bus ticket from Chicago to San Francisco starting from $122!

Cheapest Bus $122
Fastest Bus 48h 10m
Earliest Bus 12:25 PM
Latest Bus 11:50 PM
Daily Bus Routes 8 Ø
Distance 1,853.7 miles
Bus Companies Greyhound US and FlixBus

Cheapest bus connections from Chicago to San Francisco

Every day, 8 buses from 2 bus companies leave Chicago for San Francisco: in the table below, you will find the cheapest prices for a bus ticket for this route, starting from 09/07/2026 and for the following days.

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday 09/06
Monday 09/07
Tuesday 09/08
$184
Wednesday 09/09
$146
Thursday 09/10
$188
Friday 09/11
Saturday 09/12
$137
Sunday 09/13
$132
Monday 09/14
Tuesday 09/15
$136
Wednesday 09/16
$143
Thursday 09/17
$154
Friday 09/18
Saturday 09/19
$175
Sunday 09/20
Monday 09/21
Tuesday 09/22
$122
Wednesday 09/23
Thursday 09/24
Friday 09/25
$150
Saturday 09/26
$154
Sunday 09/27
$146
Monday 09/28
$129
Tuesday 09/29
Wednesday 09/30
$138
Thursday 10/01
Friday 10/02
$188
Saturday 10/03

The cheapest time to travel from Chicago to San Francisco

See here on which day and which time of the day you can find the cheapest bus ticket from Chicago to San Francisco, for the next 30 days.
With a price starting from $122, Tuesday is the cheapest day for a bus from Chicago to San Francisco. Thursday instead is the most expensive day with prices starting from $154.
Night is the cheapest day time for bus tickets from Chicago to San Francisco, with $122. Morning is the most expensive time of the day with prices starting from $197.

How to save money travelling from Chicago to San Francisco

Travel can be expensive, but it doesn't need to be! Do you want to avoid paying a terrible price for your trip? Then follow these quick steps to save money:

Book the ticket from Chicago to San Francisco in advance! The earlier you book, the cheaper usually the price is. Also, you will be sure to have a place on the bus from Chicago to San Francisco, compared instead if you buy it at the last moment, or directly at the station.

If you can, avoid travelling at peak times. Instead of weekend, try travelling during the week. Travelling in the evening or at night it’s also cheaper, and later buses from Chicago to San Francisco are also emptier.

Beloved bus companies from Chicago to San Francisco

These are the most booked bus companies between Chicago to San Francisco from our users.

FlixBus from Chicago to San Francisco

FlixBus

Here you will find the key facts about the FlixBus bus route Chicago to San Francisco:

Cheapest Price $137
Fastest Bus 54h 35m
Earliest Bus 11:55 PM
Last Bus 11:50 PM
Daily Connections 4 Ø
Found on 8/23/2026

All bus stations and stops in Chicago and San Francisco

In the map below, you can see where to find all bus stations in Chicago and San Francisco.

Service and Comfort on the bus from Chicago to San Francisco

Want to know which seat classes are available on the buses from Chicago to San Francisco? Or which bus companies serve the route Chicago to San Francisco? Below you will find answers to your questions.

FAQs about the Chicago to San Francisco bus

How much does a Chicago San Francisco bus trip cost?

This depends on, among other things, the day and time of travel. The cheapest trip is available from $122 and takes 54h 4m to reach San Francisco. Compare offers to save money!

How much could I save by comparing buses from Chicago to San Francisco?

This route is offered by 2 companies with a range of ticket prices between $122 and $237. Thus, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to make sure you get the cheapest bus ticket to San Francisco.

On average, how many connections are available from Chicago to San Francisco each day?

Every day, the Chicago to San Francisco bus route is served by approximately 8 connections. With our search, you can compare bus times to find the perfect trip.

How long does a bus journey from Chicago to San Francisco take?

The fastest bus from Chicago to San Francisco is offered by Greyhound US and takes 48h 10m. Bus tickets for this connection cost $184. In this context, bear in mind that the journey can take longer due to traffic.

What time is the first bus from Chicago to San Francisco?

The earliest bus arriving in San Francisco from Chicago starts at 12:25 PM. However, information regarding departure times may differ on weekends and holidays. Simply use our search to find exact times for your planned travel date.

What time is the last bus from Chicago to San Francisco?

The latest bus trip departing from Chicago for San Francisco starts at 11:50 PM. Please note that departure times may differ on weekends and holidays. So just use our search to find the exact times for your planned travel date.

Which bus companies operate the Chicago San Francisco route?

When traveling by bus from Chicago to San Francisco, passengers can travel with Greyhound US and FlixBus. With our search, you can compare all available bus tickets to book the one that works for you.

Is there a direct bus between Chicago and San Francisco?

You can check all the direct connections between Chicago and San Francisco by using our search and looking at the Changes section in our filters. These are some of the companies which offer a direct bus: Greyhound US and FlixBus.

What can I take with me on the Chicago to San Francisco bus route?

Depending on which provider you travel with, what you're allowed to bring with you can vary. Generally, you can take a suitcase and hand luggage with you on the Chicago San Francisco bus route free of charge. Simply use our search to find a bus that is best suited to your needs for your planned travel date.

What equipment is available for the Chicago San Francisco bus route?

The equipment on board differs depending on the provider. However, many long-distance buses have WiFi so you can tell your friends your exact location during the journey. To make traveling even more pleasant, air conditioning systems provide ventilation. It is best to use our search to get precise information about the equipment of the bus from Chicago to San Francisco on your planned travel date.

How does CheckMyBus find the best bus deals from Chicago to San Francisco?

CheckMyBus collaborates directly with companies around the world to provide you with the best options when searching for a trip. We retrieve their first-hand data to show you real-time prices, schedules, and seat availability for 8 daily trips between Chicago and San Francisco. With the most up-to-date information from verified sources, you can fairly compare all available options and choose the trip that suits you best.

How does CheckMyBus technology work for trips from Chicago to San Francisco?

Prices and availability for 8 trips between Chicago and San Francisco change constantly. To provide you with the most up-to-date information, we connect directly with bus operators, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), and Global Distribution Systems (GDS) via real-time interfaces (APIs). The data collected from these sources undergoes strict quality checks, is processed within our infrastructure, and is then presented to you on our search results pages. Visit our About Us page to learn more.

Available seat classes which are offered on the bus route Chicago to San Francisco

Economy
Economy

The cheapest option available for your ticket, it usually comes with reclinable seats and AC.

More bus routes to Chicago and to San Francisco

Here’s an overview of the most popular bus routes to Chicago and to San Francisco. Simply click on the connection of your choice, and you will find all the details about your bus route!
Bus to Chicago from Brougham Bus to Chicago from Brougham
Bus Baton Rouge to Chicago Bus Baton Rouge to Chicago
Bus Panama City Beach, FL to Chicago Bus Panama City Beach, FL to Chicago
Bus Memphis to Chicago Bus Memphis to Chicago
Buses Glendale, AZ - San Francisco Buses Glendale, AZ - San Francisco
From Oakland to San Francisco bus From Oakland to San Francisco bus
Bus Oklahoma City, OK to San Francisco Bus Oklahoma City, OK to San Francisco
Buses Long Beach to San Francisco Buses Long Beach to San Francisco
Popular Airport Shuttles to Chicago and to San Francisco
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