Busbud recommends taking the train from Chicago to Indianapolis
Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach Indianapolis. The journey takes about 4 hours 54 minutes and with fares starting at just $34, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.
FlixBus Chicago Indianapolis recent customer reviews
The bus driver was very rude he didn't announce any stops passed my stop taking me 30 miles passed my stop I'm very angry then he tried to put me off the bus in the middle of nowhere this is my second time riding the flex bus but this time was a horrible experience that guy needs to be fired asap
1 out of 5 stars
Lorraine E.
They canceled the Amtrak Thruway bus, which left me stuck in Chicago. Late for all my Monday appointments. It was and is ridiculous. No cancellation notice, plainly unprofessional.
1 out of 5 stars
Kurt R.
I was waiting in Indianapolis for my parents (who didn't have a phone on them since they're traveling internationally) to arrive from Chicago but the bus was severely delayed, by almost 90 minutes! However, the FlixBus tracker said the bus was on-time and in fact, in Bloomington after going past Indianapolis! I couldn't find a customer service number for FlixBus. When a fellow passenger called Greyhound (who I'm told is a partner), we were informed the same and that the driver had headed to Bloomington somehow skipping Indianapolis. This caused a whole lot of confusion for everyone around and a couple of them who were waiting for this bus went on to reschedule their bus trip to Atlanta (the next major destination on this route). Needless to say, I was really concerned about my parents' safety as I didn't know where I could even meet them -Bloomington or some other place altogether! FlixBus needs to have accurate tracking and for God's sake, a valid customer service unit available by phone.
Greyhound Lines offers the most comprehensive intercity bus services in the United States. They operate a modern, environmentally friendly fleet that serves more than 2400 destinations and carries nearly 16 million passengers annually. When traveling with them, you can expect free WiFi, onboard entertainment, bathrooms, power outlets and decent legroom. One of the great perks of Greyhound is that they connect big cities and smaller towns in the US, where you usually can't get to by train or plane. If you're looking for safe and affordable transportation, Greyhound is a great choice.
FlixBus Chicago Indianapolis recent customer reviews
The bus driver was very rude he didn't announce any stops passed my stop taking me 30 miles passed my stop I'm very angry then he tried to put me off the bus in the middle of nowhere this is my second time riding the flex bus but this time was a horrible experience that guy needs to be fired asap
1 out of 5 stars
Lorraine E.
They canceled the Amtrak Thruway bus, which left me stuck in Chicago. Late for all my Monday appointments. It was and is ridiculous. No cancellation notice, plainly unprofessional.
1 out of 5 stars
Kurt R.
I was waiting in Indianapolis for my parents (who didn't have a phone on them since they're traveling internationally) to arrive from Chicago but the bus was severely delayed, by almost 90 minutes! However, the FlixBus tracker said the bus was on-time and in fact, in Bloomington after going past Indianapolis! I couldn't find a customer service number for FlixBus. When a fellow passenger called Greyhound (who I'm told is a partner), we were informed the same and that the driver had headed to Bloomington somehow skipping Indianapolis. This caused a whole lot of confusion for everyone around and a couple of them who were waiting for this bus went on to reschedule their bus trip to Atlanta (the next major destination on this route). Needless to say, I was really concerned about my parents' safety as I didn't know where I could even meet them -Bloomington or some other place altogether! FlixBus needs to have accurate tracking and for God's sake, a valid customer service unit available by phone.
Based on 5418 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $57
FlixBus Chicago Indianapolis recent customer reviews
The bus driver was very rude he didn't announce any stops passed my stop taking me 30 miles passed my stop I'm very angry then he tried to put me off the bus in the middle of nowhere this is my second time riding the flex bus but this time was a horrible experience that guy needs to be fired asap
1 out of 5 stars
Lorraine E.
They canceled the Amtrak Thruway bus, which left me stuck in Chicago. Late for all my Monday appointments. It was and is ridiculous. No cancellation notice, plainly unprofessional.
1 out of 5 stars
Kurt R.
I was waiting in Indianapolis for my parents (who didn't have a phone on them since they're traveling internationally) to arrive from Chicago but the bus was severely delayed, by almost 90 minutes! However, the FlixBus tracker said the bus was on-time and in fact, in Bloomington after going past Indianapolis! I couldn't find a customer service number for FlixBus. When a fellow passenger called Greyhound (who I'm told is a partner), we were informed the same and that the driver had headed to Bloomington somehow skipping Indianapolis. This caused a whole lot of confusion for everyone around and a couple of them who were waiting for this bus went on to reschedule their bus trip to Atlanta (the next major destination on this route). Needless to say, I was really concerned about my parents' safety as I didn't know where I could even meet them -Bloomington or some other place altogether! FlixBus needs to have accurate tracking and for God's sake, a valid customer service unit available by phone.
Based on 20 reviews, the company was rated 4.2 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the staff and the timeliness but often complained with the ticket access. Burlington Trailways ticket prices on this trip start at $193
FlixBus Chicago Indianapolis recent customer reviews
The bus driver was very rude he didn't announce any stops passed my stop taking me 30 miles passed my stop I'm very angry then he tried to put me off the bus in the middle of nowhere this is my second time riding the flex bus but this time was a horrible experience that guy needs to be fired asap
1 out of 5 stars
Lorraine E.
They canceled the Amtrak Thruway bus, which left me stuck in Chicago. Late for all my Monday appointments. It was and is ridiculous. No cancellation notice, plainly unprofessional.
1 out of 5 stars
Kurt R.
I was waiting in Indianapolis for my parents (who didn't have a phone on them since they're traveling internationally) to arrive from Chicago but the bus was severely delayed, by almost 90 minutes! However, the FlixBus tracker said the bus was on-time and in fact, in Bloomington after going past Indianapolis! I couldn't find a customer service number for FlixBus. When a fellow passenger called Greyhound (who I'm told is a partner), we were informed the same and that the driver had headed to Bloomington somehow skipping Indianapolis. This caused a whole lot of confusion for everyone around and a couple of them who were waiting for this bus went on to reschedule their bus trip to Atlanta (the next major destination on this route). Needless to say, I was really concerned about my parents' safety as I didn't know where I could even meet them -Bloomington or some other place altogether! FlixBus needs to have accurate tracking and for God's sake, a valid customer service unit available by phone.
Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Chicago to Indianapolis.
We make sure you can find a bus service from Chicago to Indianapolis from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.
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Where are the popular stops in Chicago and Indianapolis?
Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - Indianapolis
What is the distance between Chicago and Indianapolis?
About 164 miles (264 km) separate Chicago and Indianapolis.
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Chicago to Indianapolis?
If you're headed to Indianapolis from Chicago, chances are that your bus will leave from Downtown Greyhound Station and arrive at Greyhound Amtrak Station. These are the most popular pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
08/21
$33
08/22
$40
Today
$37
08/24
$38
08/25
$31
08/26
$29
08/27
$31
08/28
$31
The cheapest trip from Chicago to Indianapolis was searched and found on Aug 26, 2025 with a price of $29
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Chicago to Indianapolis, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $29 to $85 for a bus ticket from Chicago to Indianapolis based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $29 which is on 2025-08-26.
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.
About Bus Travel
Bus Travel Tips
If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Chicago to Indianapolis but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.
Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Chicago to Indianapolis, get comfy and count the stars.
Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Chicago to Indianapolis will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.
Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Chicago to Indianapolis, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.
Did you know?
9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.
Did you know that 80% of the buses in North America are equipped with WiFi and power outlets ? And 60% of bus travelers have used their electronic device on board during 2014.
It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.
Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travelers no matter where they are in the world. With Busbud, you can buy tickets with confidence. We ensure that you make the most out of your bus trip by partnering up with reliable bus companies from all around the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.
Busbud recommends taking the train from Chicago to Indianapolis
The cheapest trip from Chicago to Indianapolis was searched and found on Aug 26, 2025 with a price of $29
