There are 7 ways to get from Chicago to Madison by train, bus, car or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended
Train, bus
-
Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Cleveland
-
Take the bus from Rockwell Ave. & W. Mall Dr. to Madison Park-N-Ride
Cheapest
Bus
-
Take the bus from Chicago to Cleveland
-
Take the bus from Chester Ave. at the Greyhound Station to Madison Park-N-Ride
Bus via Chicago Amtrak
-
Take the bus from Chicago Amtrak to Cleveland
-
Take the bus from Chester Ave. at the Greyhound Station to Madison Park-N-Ride
Drive
-
Drive from Chicago to Madison
Fly Chicago O'Hare to Cleveland, bus
-
Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Cleveland (CLE)
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Take the bus from Rockwell Ave. & W. Mall Dr. to Madison Park-N-Ride
Fly Chicago Midway to Cleveland, bus
-
Fly from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Cleveland (CLE)
-
Take the bus from Rockwell Ave. & W. Mall Dr. to Madison Park-N-Ride
Fly Chicago O'Hare to Erie, drive
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Fly from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Erie (ERI)
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Drive from Erie to Madison
Travel safe during COVID-19
Rules to follow in United States
2m
Recommended
Travel within United States
Nationwide control measures in place
COVID-19 help in United States
If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed.
Explore travel optionsDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are recommended
- There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres
- Nationwide control measures in place
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Madison is 800-232-4636.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Madison is recommended.
The social distance requirement in Madison is 2 metres.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636.
Last updated: 26 Jul 2022
Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC).
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Madison is to bus which costs $35 - $90 and takes 9h 37m.
The quickest way to get from Chicago to Madison is to fly and drive which costs $140 - $600 and takes 4h 12m.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago to Madison. However, there are services departing from Chicago and arriving at Madison Park-N-Ride via Chester Ave. at the Greyhound Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 37m.
The distance between Chicago and Madison is 341 miles. The road distance is 386.5 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Madison without a car is to train and bus which takes 8h 5m and costs $45 - $75.
It takes approximately 8h 5m to get from Chicago to Madison, including transfers.
Chicago to Madison bus services, operated by Barons Bus, depart from Chicago station.
The quickest flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Cleveland Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 13m.
Chicago to Madison bus services, operated by Laketran, arrive at Madison Park-N-Ride station.
Madison is 1h ahead of Chicago. It is currently 04:36 in Chicago and 05:36 in Madison.
- Distance: 340.7 miles
- Duration: 8h 5m
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Madison, OH, USA?
You can take a bus from Chicago to Madison via Cleveland and Chester Ave. at the Greyhound Station in around 9h 37m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Cleveland
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 22m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100 - $310
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Erie
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230 - $800
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway to Cleveland
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120 - $300
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Cleveland
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100 - $360
Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities.
Rome2rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Cleveland
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $45 - $70
- Website
- Amtrak
- Coach Seat
- $45 - $70
- Premium
- $220 - $310
- Flexi Coach Seat
- $85 - $130
- Business Seat
- $85 - $130
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- Phone
- +1 888-525-3872
- laketran@laketran.com
- Website
- laketran.com
Bus from Rockwell Ave. & W. Mall Dr. to Madison Park-N-Ride
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $1 - $4
- Schedules at
- Laketran
Bus from Chester Ave. at the Greyhound Station to Madison Park-N-Ride
- Ave. Duration
- 57 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $1 - $4
- Schedules at
- Laketran
- Phone
- +1 888-378-3823
- Website
- baronsbus.com
Bus from Chicago to Cleveland
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 40m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $35 - $85
- Book at
- baronsbus.com
Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app.
Rome2rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100/1-800-231-2222
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago to Cleveland
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40 - $60
- Website
- greyhound.com
- Economy
- $40 - $60
- Flexible
- $65 - $100
Bus from Chicago Amtrak to Cleveland
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40 - $65
- Website
- greyhound.com
- Economy
- $40 - $65
- Flexible
- $70 - $110
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Madison is 387 miles. It takes approximately 6h 25m to drive from Chicago to Madison.
American Airlines and United Airlines offer flights from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Cleveland Airport.
There are 33+ hotels available in Madison. Prices start at $100 USD per night.
The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport is to subway which takes 42 min and costs $1 - $5.