The cheapest and fastest trains from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$42
Average price
$50
Fastest journey
4 h 11 m
Average duration
4 h 15 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
393 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL will cost around $50 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $42.
Of the 2 trains that leave Alton, IL for Chicago, IL on Wed, Dec 17, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Dec 17 the direct trains cover the 393 km distance in an average of 4 h 15 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 11 m .
On Wed, Dec 17 the slowest trains will take 4 h 19 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Alton, IL to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €23. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 24m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €23, and a flight costs an average of €42.
Distance: 244 miles (393 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€47 Average price | €291 Average price | €45 Average price Cheapest |
4h 56m Average total duration 4h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 24m Average total duration Fastest 1h 24m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 24m Average total duration 6h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.2 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Alton, IL to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Alton, IL to Chicago, IL trains for today, Tuesday, December 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:39 PM Alton, IL | 4h21 | 1:00 AM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:24 PM Alton, IL | 4h19 | 3:43 AM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, December 17 | |||||
![]() | 10:14 AM Alton, IL | 4h11 | 2:25 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Alton, IL to Chicago, IL by bus, train, or flight
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Dec 17
Dec 18
Dec 19
Dec 20
Dec 21
Dec 22
Dec 23
Why should you book Alton to Chicago trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Alton to Chicago. Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets.
Why book with Omio vs Amtrak?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Amtrak with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Alton to Chicago.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Official reseller: Amtrak tickets can only be bought on Omio or Amtrak's website as Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets. Trainline, RailEurope, and Rail.Ninja do not sell Amtrak tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Alton to Chicago.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL
Trains from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL run on average 5 times per day, taking around 4h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $27 (€22) if you book in advance.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:30, the last at 23:00. The fastest train covers the 244 miles (393 km) distance in 4h 11m.
Distance 244 miles (393 km) |
Average train duration 4h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $27 (€22) |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 4h 11m |
First train 04:30 |
Last train 23:00 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Alton, IL and Chicago, IL from $27 (€22). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Chicago, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL
- 5:00 AM - 12:00 AM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Departures can be made outside of opening hours. Access via Canal Street.
- The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
- Lou Mitchell's
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- The Kimpton Gray Hotel
- JW Marriott Chicago
- W Chicago - City Center
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, Amtrak services
- Hall 2: Metra services
- Hall 3: food court and retail shops
- Bus: Several lines available
- CTA: Blue Line, Pink Line
Most popular train connections from Alton, IL
More options for your journey from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL
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