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How to get from Chicago to San Diego

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What is the best way to travel from Chicago to San Diego?

Looking for a trip? Compare all the available Buses and Flights for the journey to San Diego from Chicago. Check between different modes of transportation, look for the cheapest tickets, fastest rides and most popular stations, and see all 2 available companies to find your perfect trip!
Bus is the cheapest, while Flight is the fastest way on this route
Transport type
Travel time
Cheapest price
Average price
Daily departures
Bus
48h 50m
$140
$203
57
Flight
4h 22m
$171
$285
59

What is the cheapest way to reach San Diego from Chicago?

You can get to San Diego with just $140 by taking a Bus from FlixBus, but you can find many more cheap offers: we have selected the best ones for next few days here for you.

Sunday
Monday
from $140
Tuesday
from $230
Wednesday
Thursday
from $234
Friday
from $156
Saturday
from $209

    Cheapest Buses Monday

  • FlixBus
    56h 30m
    0
    5:45 AM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    2:15 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $140
  • Greyhound US
    61h 50m
    0
    10:00 AM
    Chicago
    Canal & Van Buren
    11:50 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $144
  • Greyhound US
    60h 40m
    0
    8:35 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    9:15 AM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $148
  • Greyhound US
    54h 0m
    0
    8:15 AM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    2:15 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $148

    Cheapest Buses Tuesday

  • Greyhound US
    48h 50m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    5:35 PM
    San Diego
    La Jolla Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $230
  • Greyhound US
    49h 25m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    6:10 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $230
  • FlixBus
    61h 45m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    1:35 PM
    San Diego
    SDSU Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $257
  • FlixBus
    61h 25m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    1:15 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $258

    Cheapest Buses Thursday

  • Greyhound US
    49h 0m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    5:45 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $234
  • Greyhound US
    51h 20m
    0
    10:30 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    1:50 AM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $236
  • Greyhound US
    49h 25m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    6:10 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $238
  • Greyhound US
    48h 50m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    5:35 PM
    San Diego
    La Jolla Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $238
  • Greyhound US
    52h 45m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    9:30 PM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $242

    Cheapest Buses Friday

  • Greyhound US
    63h 5m
    0
    10:30 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    1:35 PM
    San Diego
    SDSU Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $156
  • Greyhound US
    51h 20m
    0
    10:30 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    1:50 AM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $158
  • Greyhound US
    60h 10m
    0
    10:30 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    10:40 AM
    San Diego
    Balboa Park
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $158
  • FlixBus
    61h 25m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    1:15 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $194
  • FlixBus
    61h 5m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    12:55 PM
    San Diego
    La Jolla Village
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $196
  • Cheapest Flights Friday

  • Frontier Airlines
    19h 40m
    0
    6:40 AM
    Chicago Midway Airport
    Chicago Midway Airport
    12:20 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Frontier Airlines
    Economy
    from $171
  • Spirit Airlines
    30h 0m
    0
    7:51 PM
    Chicago O'Hare Airport
    Chicago O'Hare Airport - Bus/Shuttle Center
    11:51 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Spirit Airlines
    Economy
    from $221
  • Alaska Airlines
    14h 43m
    0
    6:56 PM
    Chicago O'Hare Airport
    Chicago O'Hare Airport - Bus/Shuttle Center
    7:39 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $302
  • American Airlines
    4h 22m
    0
    4:55 PM
    Chicago O'Hare Airport
    Chicago O'Hare Airport - Bus/Shuttle Center
    7:17 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    American Airlines
    Economy
    from $342
  • United Airlines
    4h 38m
    0
    1:06 PM
    Chicago O'Hare Airport
    Chicago O'Hare Airport - Bus/Shuttle Center
    3:44 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    United Airlines
    Economy
    from $391

    Cheapest Buses Saturday

  • Greyhound US
    55h 20m
    0
    2:10 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    9:30 PM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $209
  • Greyhound US
    51h 35m
    0
    2:10 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    5:45 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $210
  • Greyhound US
    62h 25m
    0
    8:35 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    11:00 AM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $211
  • FlixBus
    63h 15m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    3:05 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $221

What are the fastest trips from Chicago to San Diego?

You can get to San Diego from Chicago in just 4h 22m with a Flight from American Airlines. This is not the only option, and you can click on any of the offers below to compare it with the other modes of transportations.

Sunday
Monday
from 54h 0m
Tuesday
from 48h 50m
Wednesday
Thursday
from 48h 50m
Friday
from 4h 22m
Saturday
from 51h 35m

    Fastest Buses Monday

  • Greyhound US
    54h 0m
    0
    8:15 AM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    2:15 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $148
  • FlixBus
    56h 30m
    0
    5:45 AM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    2:15 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $140
  • Greyhound US
    60h 40m
    0
    8:35 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    9:15 AM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $148
  • Greyhound US
    61h 50m
    0
    10:00 AM
    Chicago
    Canal & Van Buren
    11:50 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $144

    Fastest Buses Tuesday

  • Greyhound US
    48h 50m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    5:35 PM
    San Diego
    La Jolla Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $230
  • Greyhound US
    49h 25m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    6:10 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $230
  • FlixBus
    61h 25m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    1:15 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $258
  • FlixBus
    61h 45m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    1:35 PM
    San Diego
    SDSU Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $257

    Fastest Buses Thursday

  • Greyhound US
    48h 50m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    5:35 PM
    San Diego
    La Jolla Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $238
  • Greyhound US
    49h 0m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    5:45 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $234
  • Greyhound US
    49h 25m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    6:10 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $238
  • Greyhound US
    51h 20m
    0
    10:30 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    1:50 AM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $236
  • Greyhound US
    52h 45m
    0
    4:45 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    9:30 PM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $242

    Fastest Flights Friday

  • American Airlines
    4h 22m
    0
    4:55 PM
    Chicago O'Hare Airport
    Chicago O'Hare Airport - Bus/Shuttle Center
    7:17 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    American Airlines
    Economy
    from $342
  • United Airlines
    4h 38m
    0
    1:06 PM
    Chicago O'Hare Airport
    Chicago O'Hare Airport - Bus/Shuttle Center
    3:44 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    United Airlines
    Economy
    from $391
  • Alaska Airlines
    14h 43m
    0
    6:56 PM
    Chicago O'Hare Airport
    Chicago O'Hare Airport - Bus/Shuttle Center
    7:39 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $302
  • Frontier Airlines
    19h 40m
    0
    6:40 AM
    Chicago Midway Airport
    Chicago Midway Airport
    12:20 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Frontier Airlines
    Economy
    from $171
  • Spirit Airlines
    30h 0m
    0
    7:51 PM
    Chicago O'Hare Airport
    Chicago O'Hare Airport - Bus/Shuttle Center
    11:51 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Spirit Airlines
    Economy
    from $221
  • Fastest Buses Friday

  • Greyhound US
    51h 20m
    0
    10:30 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    1:50 AM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $158
  • Greyhound US
    60h 10m
    0
    10:30 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    10:40 AM
    San Diego
    Balboa Park
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $158
  • FlixBus
    61h 5m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    12:55 PM
    San Diego
    La Jolla Village
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $196
  • FlixBus
    61h 25m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    1:15 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $194
  • Greyhound US
    63h 5m
    0
    10:30 PM
    Chicago
    Downtown Bus Station
    1:35 PM
    San Diego
    SDSU Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $156

    Fastest Buses Saturday

  • Greyhound US
    51h 35m
    0
    2:10 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    5:45 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $210
  • Greyhound US
    55h 20m
    0
    2:10 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    9:30 PM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $209
  • Greyhound US
    62h 25m
    0
    8:35 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    11:00 AM
    San Diego
    Seaport Village
    0
    Greyhound US
    Economy
    $211
  • FlixBus
    63h 15m
    0
    11:50 PM
    Chicago
    95th Red Line Station
    3:05 PM
    San Diego
    Old Town Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $221
Here you will find all operators and timetables for a Bus from Chicago to San Diego

What are the most popular stations in Chicago and San Diego?

In Chicago, you will usually depart from Union Station, 95th Red Line Station or Cumberland CTA, while in San Diego you will be arriving at Santa Fe Depot, San Ysidro Transit Center or Old Town Transit Center, but there are many more stops to explore in both locations.

How do I decide? Some tips and tricks from our experience

Are you having trouble deciding on how to get to San Diego from Chicago? With 5 connections between 2 Bus and Flight operators, it can be difficult to find the one ride that will make you happy. But we have some tips that can help you make the best informed decision. First of all, the best trip is always the one that meets all your needs, so make a list of all the things that you want from this journey and look for something that will satisfy all of them. Here we will go through some of the factors mostly commonly taken into consideration.

Look for the lowest price

Ticket price is usually the main concern: even if you can afford to pay more, why do it if there are cheaper options? Saving on the trip means that you can spend more on the vacation itself! Between Chicago and San Diego, you can pay as low as $140 with a Bus from FlixBus.

Travel duration

Time is also an important factor. An earlier departure may allow you to see a beautiful sunset or relax before an important event. And remember, time is money, so paying more for a shorter trip may be well worth it. For longer distances, flights are without doubt the best options, but be mindful of airport times and possible delays: a high-speed train may end up cheaper and faster! Here the quicker option is definitely the Flight from American Airlines: you will get to San Diego in just 4h 22m.

Comfort makes all the difference

You should always take into account what your personal travelling preferences are. Is one hand luggage enough, or are you trasporting more? Would you like to have a snack during the journey? Can you relax in a busy compartment, or do you need space for yourself? Even among the same mode of transportation, different companies will offer you varying levels of comfort and amenities. The main operators connecting Chicago and San Diego are Greyhound US, FlixBus and Frontier Airlines, but be sure to check what they have to offer!

Save money with deals, and always compare

One last tip? Even if you live in Chicago and San Diego is your only destination, it may be wise to check the offers from and to nearby cities or, if you are flyng, nearby airports. Check the trips from Cicero, IL or to San Diego Airport, and look at flights from Chicago Midway Airport, and landing at Tijuana Airport. Comparing different routes may allow you to find deals or promotions you were not aware of. Consider also signing up to CheckMyBus to see even more exclusive promotions!

Which companies offer a trip from Chicago to San Diego?

The most popular companies between Chicago and San Diego, are Greyhound US, FlixBus and Frontier Airlines. Be sure to check their seat class offers and the amenities that they provide.

Bus companies: Greyhound US and FlixBus

Airlines: Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Alaska Airlines and 2 more.

All you need to know when you travel from Chicago to San Diego

Check all information on comfort and services on all modes of transports from Chicago to San Diego. See which seat classes are available, and what amenities are other advantages offered by the operators on your journey.

FAQs about the trip from Chicago to San Diego

How can I reach San Diego from Chicago?

Every day, there are on average 5 connections between Bus and Flight, with which you can get to San Diego from Chicago.

How far is San Diego from Chicago?

The distance between Chicago and San Diego is 1,730.9 miles.

What is the most ecofriendly mode of transport between Chicago and San Diego?

Trains and buses are by far the greenest options, with trains surpassing buses on longer routes. Planes will always be the worst polluters, especially in shorter flights, were the emissions from the takeoff and landing are less offset by the distance. On this particular route, a bus will emit, per person, a total of 75 kgs of CO2, a train 97 kgs, a car 474 kgs, and a flight 685 kgs.

What is the cheapest mode of transport from Chicago to San Diego?

You can get to San Diego with just $140 by taking a Bus from FlixBus.

What is the fastest way to get from Chicago to San Diego?

While a plane is travelling fastest boarding and transfer to airport consumes a lot of time. Usually, high speed trains are better than flights if pure train travel time is below 4 hours. For this particular route, you can get to San Diego in just 4h 22m with a Flight from American Airlines.

More routes to Chicago and to San Diego

Looking for more options? Here you can see the most popular routes to Chicago and to San Diego. Simply click on a connection, and you’ll find all the details about the route!

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