The cheapest and fastest trains from Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$87
Average price
$140
Fastest journey
5 h 30 m
Average duration
9 h 1 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
478 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL will cost around $140 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $87.
Of the 5 trains that leave Carbondale, IL for Chicago, IL on Tue, Dec 23, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Dec 23 the direct trains cover the 478 km distance in an average of 9 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 30 m .
On Tue, Dec 23 the slowest trains will take 18 h 27 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.
58 City Of New Orleans · 390 Saluki
58 City Of New Orleans · 392 Illini
392 Illini
390 Saluki
58 City Of New Orleans
392 Illini
390 Saluki
58 City Of New Orleans
58 City Of New Orleans · 390 Saluki
58 City Of New Orleans · 392 IlliniTravel Information
Compare train and bus for Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €31. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 35m. 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 train costs an average of €31, and a bus costs an average of €43.
Distance: 297 miles (478 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€48 Average price Cheapest | €71 Average price |
6h 5m Average total duration Fastest 5h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 10m Average total duration 9h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL trains for today, Monday, December 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:15 PM Carbondale, IL | 5h30 | 2:45 AM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, December 23 | |||||
58 City Of New Orleans | 9:18 AM Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL | 5h57 | 3:15 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
58 City Of New Orleans · 390 Saluki | 9:18 AM Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL | 9h42 | 7:00 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
58 City Of New Orleans · 392 Illini | 9:18 AM Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL | 18h27 | 3:45 AM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 30
Dec 31
Jan 03
Jan 04
Why should you book Carbondale to Chicago trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Carbondale 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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Carbondale 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 train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Carbondale to Chicago.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL
Trains from Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 35m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $38 (€31) if you book in advance.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 01:16, the last at 21:05. The fastest train covers the 297 miles (478 km) distance in 5h 9m.
Distance 297 miles (478 km) |
Average train duration 5h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price $38 (€31) |
Trains per day 4 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 5h 9m |
First train 01:16 |
Last train 21:05 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Carbondale, IL and Chicago, IL from $38 (€31). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- Located in the main hall
- The station is an enclosed waiting area without Wi-Fi.
- Bus: Several local bus lines available
- 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 Carbondale, IL
More options for your journey from Carbondale, IL to Chicago, IL
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