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How to get fromIllinois to Costa Ricaby plane, train, bus, car, shuttle, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

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There are 9 ways to get from Illinois to Costa Rica by plane, train, bus, car, shuttle, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane ORD - SJO
    8h 27m
    $112–495

  2. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Longviewtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Longview Bus Station to Houston Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Houston to San Salvadorbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San Josébus bus
    5d 1h
    $761–1,283

  3. Drive  5,326.9 km

    1. Drive from Chicago to San Josécar car 5,326.9 km
    2d 18h
    $854–1,233

  4. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane MDW - SJO
    9h 59m
    $192–855

  5. Fly Peoria International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Fly from Peoria International Airport (PIA) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane PIA - SJO
    10h 52m
    $151–651

  6. Train to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Take the train from Springfield to St. Louistrain train
    2. Fly from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane STL - SJO
    11h 58m
    $206–784

  7. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Liberia International Airport, shuttle

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane ORD - LIR
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Puntarenasshuttle bus
    11h 17m
    $476–1,384

  8. Train to Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Take the train from Springfield to Bloomington-Normaltrain train
    2. Fly from Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal (BMI) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane BMI - SJO
    11h 49m
    $175–653

  9. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Memphis Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Memphis Bus Station to Downtown Houstonbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Houston to San Salvadorbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San Josébus bus
    5d 1h
    $450–819

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar39Weekly Planes
Duration7h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$117Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Illinois to Costa Rica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 3,606.7 km
  • Duration: 8h 27m

What companies run services between Illinois, USA and Costa Rica?

United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and two other airlines fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Terminal Tica Bus San José via Memphis Bus Station, Downtown Houston, Smith St @ Pierce St, Mission Bend TC, Bellaire Blvd @ Corporate Dr, Houston, San Salvador, and Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador in around 5d 1h.

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Want to know more about travelling around Costa Rica

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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