The cheapest and fastest trains from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$135
Average price
$135
Fastest journey
17 h 48 m
Average duration
17 h 48 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
952 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Arlington, VA 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 Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL will cost around $135 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $135.
Of the 1 trains that leave Arlington, VA for Chicago, IL on Wed, May 27, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, May 27 the direct trains cover the 952 km distance in an average of 17 h 48 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 17 h 48 m .
On Wed, May 27 the slowest trains will take 17 h 48 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.
8:57 PM17h48Arlington, VA2:45 PMChicago, IL$1351One-way0 transfers
8:57 PM17h48Arlington, VA2:45 PMChicago, IL$1351One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $92. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 23m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $92, and a flight costs an average of $51.
Distance: 591 miles (952 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$203 Average price Cheapest | $372 Average price | $216 Average price | $141 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
18h 42m Average total duration 18h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 23m Average total duration Fastest 2h 23m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 25h 21m Average total duration 24h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL:
A train is $13 (€10) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL costing on average $216 (€174).
A train is $169 (€136) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL costing on average $372 (€300).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 18h 12m.
Bus takes on average 24h 51m.
Tickets start at around $203 (€164) compared to roughly $141 (€114) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-61.63 (€-49.75). The journey takes 18h 12m versus 10h 30m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL trains for today, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:42 PM Arlington, VA | 17h48 | 5:30 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, May 27 | |||||
![]() | 8:57 PM Arlington, VA | 17h48 | 2:45 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 Arlington, VA 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.
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Jun 02
Journey information
Overview: Train from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
Trains from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL run on average 10 times per day, taking around 18h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $92 (€74) but you can travel from only $51 (€41) by flight.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:20, the last at 21:30. The fastest train covers the 591 miles (952 km) distance in 17h 48m.
Distance 591 miles (952 km) |
Average train duration 18h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price $92 (€74) |
Trains per day 10 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 17h 48m |
First train 3:20 AM |
Last train 9:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 1 day |
Train companies: Amtrak from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Arlington, VA and Chicago, IL from $51 (€41). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Arlington, VA 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 Arlington, VA 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
More options for your journey from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
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