Chicago to Bloomington IL | 4 travel options
Flying into Chicago for your visit to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois? Since the cities are only around 130 miles apart, you’ve got plenty of options to get to your destination quickly and without breaking the bank. Let’s have a look at all the easy ways to get from Chicago to Bloomington IL!
Driving
If you’re driving, getting from Chicago to Bloomington IL is a breeze. You can take the I-55 S to get to your destination in a little over two hours, covering around 135 miles. There are plenty of rest stops along the way in towns like Dwight and Pontiac.
Not driving your own car? No worries, you’ve still got plenty of options. You can easily find a rental in Chicago, including directly at O’Hare Airport and other central locations in the city. Try a site like Kayak to find the best deals on rental cars.
By bus
A Greyhound from Chicago to Illinois can cost under $25 and there’s a daily service between the two cities at the time of writing. The bus departs from the Chicago Bus Station on West Harrison street, only stops a few times along the way, and conveniently drops you off at Uptown Circle. From this central location, it should be easy enough to get to your accommodation anywhere in Bloomington-Normal.
The trip can take a while by bus - the Greyhound gets you from A to B in 4:40 hrs - but at least there’s free WiFi on board. You can check the departures for your preferred dates on the Greyhound website.
By train
Hands-down the quickest way to get from Chicago to Bloomington IL (even slightly quicker than driving) is by taking the train. Amtrak’s Lincoln Service travels between Chicago and St Louis, MO on a daily basis, stopping in Bloomington-Normal along the way. Trains depart from Chicago Union Station, and as with the Greyhound option, you’ll arrive at the Uptown Station over at the Uptown Circle in Normal.
At the time of writing, there are two morning departures and two evening departures, giving you plenty of options. Prices for the most basic ticket are usually very affordable at under $20. You can plan your journey using the Amtrak website.
Another Amtrak option would be the Texas Eagle Train, which also stops in Bloomington-Normal, though it doesn’t depart as frequently.
Getting to Bloomington, IL is easy from Chicago’s Union Station.
By air
Yep, Bloomington-Normal has its own airport: Central Illinois Regional Airport (also known as CIRA, or by its airport identifier, which is BMI). You can get there directly from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on a flight that lasts just one hour.
At the time of writing, the price for this flight is around $250 and it’s carried out by American Eagle, which is American Airlines’ regional branch. There are usually two daily options: early and late afternoon.
Where to stay in Bloomington, IL
Bloomington has plenty of hotels and other accommodations to take advantage from. If you’re looking for something a little different, though, why not stay at The House of Games? The perfect place for anything from a trip with friends to a family outing, this unique rental home lives up to its name by featuring 10+ arcade systems as well as a fully equipped rec room and comfy garden!
You can book your experience at The House of Games in Bloomington-Normal for up to 10 guests through our secure booking page.
What to do in Bloomington, IL
There’s plenty to do in the Bloomington-Normal area, whether you’re looking for a bite to eat, a fun night out or just want to go for a stroll. Check out our post on 15 interesting things to do in Bloomington, IL!
