Bus Chicago to San Diego: Compare prices and save money

Compare all timetables for the bus from Chicago to San Diego

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

today

tomorrow

from $144

Wednesday

Thursday

from $169

Friday

from $169

Saturday

from $166

Sunday

Cheapest bus trips tomorrow

Prices are for one way and one person
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Greyhound US	61h 50m	10:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	11:50 PM	San Diego	Old Town Transit Center	Economy	$144	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Union Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/29/2025 10:00:00 AM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 7/31/2025 11:50:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $144 per person are available. Travel duration is 61h 50m
FlixBus	53h 35m	9:45 AM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	3:20 PM	San Diego	Old Town Transit Center	Economy	$152	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/29/2025 9:45:00 AM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 7/31/2025 3:20:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $152 per person are available. Travel duration is 53h 35m
FlixBus	53h 5m	9:45 AM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	2:50 PM	San Diego	La Jolla Village	Economy	$152	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/29/2025 9:45:00 AM to La Jolla Village, San Diego (USA) arriving at 7/31/2025 2:50:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $152 per person are available. Travel duration is 53h 5m
FlixBus	53h 55m	9:45 AM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	3:40 PM	San Diego	SDSU Transit Center	Economy	$153	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/29/2025 9:45:00 AM to SDSU Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 7/31/2025 3:40:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $153 per person are available. Travel duration is 53h 55m
Greyhound US	71h 30m	10:00 PM	Chicago	Union Station	9:30 PM	San Diego	Seaport Village	Economy	$161	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Union Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/29/2025 10:00:00 PM to Seaport Village, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/1/2025 9:30:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $161 per person are available. Travel duration is 71h 30m

Cheapest bus trips Thursday

Prices are for one way and one person
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
FlixBus	49h 15m	4:30 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	5:45 PM	San Diego	Old Town Transit Center	Economy	$169	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/31/2025 4:30:00 PM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/2/2025 5:45:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $169 per person are available. Travel duration is 49h 15m
FlixBus	53h 0m	4:30 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	9:30 PM	San Diego	Seaport Village	Economy	$172	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/31/2025 4:30:00 PM to Seaport Village, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/2/2025 9:30:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $172 per person are available. Travel duration is 53h 0m
FlixBus	49h 40m	4:30 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	6:10 PM	San Diego	Old Town Transit Center	Economy	$174	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/31/2025 4:30:00 PM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/2/2025 6:10:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $174 per person are available. Travel duration is 49h 40m
Greyhound US	59h 30m	10:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	9:30 PM	San Diego	Seaport Village	Economy	$200	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Union Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/31/2025 10:00:00 AM to Seaport Village, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/2/2025 9:30:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $200 per person are available. Travel duration is 59h 30m
Greyhound US	56h 10m	10:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	6:10 PM	San Diego	Old Town Transit Center	Economy	$200	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Union Station, Chicago (USA) at 7/31/2025 10:00:00 AM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/2/2025 6:10:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $200 per person are available. Travel duration is 56h 10m

Cheapest bus trips Friday

Prices are for one way and one person
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
FlixBus	49h 50m	4:30 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	6:20 PM	San Diego	San Ysidro Transit Center	Economy	$169	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 8/1/2025 4:30:00 PM to San Ysidro Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/3/2025 6:20:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $169 per person are available. Travel duration is 49h 50m
FlixBus	54h 25m	9:45 AM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	4:10 PM	San Diego	San Ysidro Transit Center	Economy	$193	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 8/1/2025 9:45:00 AM to San Ysidro Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/3/2025 4:10:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $193 per person are available. Travel duration is 54h 25m
Greyhound US	56h 20m	10:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	6:20 PM	San Diego	San Ysidro Transit Center	Economy	$227	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Union Station, Chicago (USA) at 8/1/2025 10:00:00 AM to San Ysidro Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/3/2025 6:20:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $227 per person are available. Travel duration is 56h 20m
Greyhound US	60h 5m	10:00 PM	Chicago	Union Station	10:05 AM	San Diego	San Ysidro Transit Center	Economy	$281	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Union Station, Chicago (USA) at 8/1/2025 10:00:00 PM to San Ysidro Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/4/2025 10:05:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $281 per person are available. Travel duration is 60h 5m

Cheapest bus trips Saturday

Prices are for one way and one person
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Greyhound US	60h 5m	10:00 PM	Chicago	Union Station	10:05 AM	San Diego	San Ysidro Transit Center	Economy	$166	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Union Station, Chicago (USA) at 8/2/2025 10:00:00 PM to San Ysidro Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/5/2025 10:05:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $166 per person are available. Travel duration is 60h 5m
Greyhound US	59h 30m	10:00 PM	Chicago	Union Station	9:30 AM	San Diego	Old Town Transit Center	Economy	$168	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Union Station, Chicago (USA) at 8/2/2025 10:00:00 PM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/5/2025 9:30:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $168 per person are available. Travel duration is 59h 30m
FlixBus	53h 0m	4:30 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	9:30 PM	San Diego	Seaport Village	Economy	$169	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 8/2/2025 4:30:00 PM to Seaport Village, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/4/2025 9:30:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $169 per person are available. Travel duration is 53h 0m
Greyhound US	59h 15m	10:00 PM	Chicago	Union Station	9:15 AM	San Diego	Old Town Transit Center	Economy	$169	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Union Station, Chicago (USA) at 8/2/2025 10:00:00 PM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/5/2025 9:15:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $169 per person are available. Travel duration is 59h 15m
FlixBus	49h 50m	4:30 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	6:20 PM	San Diego	San Ysidro Transit Center	Economy	$170	A Bus from FlixBus goes from Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) at 8/2/2025 4:30:00 PM to San Ysidro Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 8/4/2025 6:20:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $170 per person are available. Travel duration is 49h 50m

Frequency of bus connections between Chicago and San Diego

See here how frequent the connections between Chicago and San Diego are, during different times and days of the week.

Saturday is the busiest day, with more than 20 daily buses from Chicago to San Diego. Friday has instead the fewest connections, with only 4 daily coaches between Chicago and San Diego.

The busiest time of the day is the Morning, with 29 buses from Chicago to San Diego, while Night sees the fewest connections between Chicago and San Diego, with 2 offers.

Facts about the bus from Chicago to San Diego

Compare all providers like FlixBus and Greyhound US that travel 14 times every day by bus from Chicago to San Diego in one click! Book your bus ticket from Chicago to San Diego starting from $144!

Cheapest Bus	$144
Fastest Bus	49h 5m
Earliest Bus	9:45 AM
Latest Bus	10:00 PM
Daily Bus Routes	14 Ø
Distance	1,730.9 miles
Bus Companies	FlixBus and Greyhound US

Cheapest bus connections from Chicago to San Diego

Every day, 14 buses from 2 bus companies leave Chicago for San Diego: in the table below, you will find the cheapest prices for a bus ticket for this route, starting from 07/28/2025 and for the following days.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday 07/27

Monday 07/28

Tuesday 07/29

$215

Wednesday 07/30

Thursday 07/31

$169

Friday 08/01

$169

Saturday 08/02

$168

Sunday 08/03

Monday 08/04

Tuesday 08/05

$122

Wednesday 08/06

Thursday 08/07

Friday 08/08

Saturday 08/09

Sunday 08/10

Monday 08/11

Tuesday 08/12

Wednesday 08/13

Thursday 08/14

Friday 08/15

Saturday 08/16

Sunday 08/17

Monday 08/18

Tuesday 08/19

Wednesday 08/20

Thursday 08/21

Friday 08/22

Saturday 08/23

The cheapest time to travel from Chicago to San Diego

See here on which day and which time of the day you can find the cheapest bus ticket from Chicago to San Diego, for the next 30 days.

With a price starting from $144, Tuesday is the cheapest day for a bus from Chicago to San Diego. Thursday instead is the most expensive day with prices starting from $169.

Morning is the cheapest day time for bus tickets from Chicago to San Diego, with $144. Night is the most expensive time of the day with prices starting from $198.

How to save money travelling from Chicago to San Diego

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 Diego 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 Diego, 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 Diego are also emptier.

Beloved bus companies from Chicago to San Diego

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

Greyhound US from Chicago to San Diego

Here you will find the key facts about the Greyhound US bus route Chicago to San Diego:

Cheapest Price	$144
Fastest Bus	55h 35m
Earliest Bus	10:00 AM
Last Bus	10:00 PM
Daily Connections	7 Ø
Found on	7/25/2025

All bus stations and stops in Chicago and San Diego

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

Downtown Bus Station

West Harrison Street 630-670

Union Station

S Canal St 225

Cumberland CTA

N Cumberland Ave 5800

Canal & Van Buren

S Canal St 310-320

W Cermak Rd

W Cermak Rd 1001

Old Town Transit Center

Congress Street 2727

San Ysidro Transit Center

E San Ysidro Blvd 723

Downtown

Seaport Village

W Harbor Dr 789

La Jolla Village

Hyatt Regency

Compare the bus with other modes of transport

The bus is often the cheapest mode of transport, while other modes like train or flight are faster. Looking for quicker alternatives to travel from Chicago to San Diego? Compare all modes of transports from Chicago to San Diego.

Service and Comfort on the bus from Chicago to San Diego

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

FAQs about the Chicago to San Diego bus

How much does a Chicago San Diego bus trip cost?

This depends on, among other things, the day and time of travel. The cheapest trip is available from $144 and takes 61h 50m to reach San Diego. Compare offers to save money!

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

This route is offered by 2 companies with a range of ticket prices between $144 and $281. Thus, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to make sure you get the cheapest bus ticket to San Diego.

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

Every day, the Chicago to San Diego bus route is served by approximately 14 connections. With our search, you can compare bus times to find the perfect trip.

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

The fastest bus from Chicago to San Diego is offered by FlixBus and takes 49h 5m. Bus tickets for this connection cost $170. 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 Diego?

The earliest bus arriving in San Diego from Chicago starts at 9:45 AM. 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 Diego?

The latest bus trip departing from Chicago for San Diego starts at 10:00 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 Diego route?

When traveling by bus from Chicago to San Diego, passengers can travel with FlixBus and Greyhound US. 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 Diego?

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

What can I take with me on the Chicago to San Diego 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 Diego 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 Diego 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 Diego on your planned travel date.

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

Economy

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

More bus routes to Chicago and to San Diego

Here’s an overview of the most popular bus routes to Chicago and to San Diego. Simply click on the connection of your choice, and you will find all the details about your bus route!