Cheapest
Average
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago to Detroit, MI is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
Distance | 237 miles (383 km) | |
Direct train | Yes | |
Train providers | Amtrak |
Trains from Chicago to Detroit, MI cover the 237 miles (383 km) long trip with our travel partners like Amtrak. There are direct train services available.
Find the best trip from Chicago to Detroit, MI with Amtrak. Comparing schedules and prices and booking the most convenient trip has never been easier with over 1000 travel companies on Omio.
Amtrak is the main train company in the United States operating medium and long-distance intercity services in 46 US states as well as in 3 Canadian provinces. There are over 300 Amtrak trains running daily. With Amtrak you can travel by train across the country and explore destinations near and far with routes such as the Northeast Regional connecting cities in the East Coast, the Coast Starlight connecting destinations up and down the West Coast, the Empire Builder connecting Chicago and Midwestern cities to the Northwest, and many more. Amtrak offers different class options suiting any budget, from Coach Class to Business Class, First Class, and the Sleeper Class, where you can book a Roomette, Bedroom, and Bedroom suite among others for night travel. There are several different ticket types including Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium for you to book for your next train journey from Chicago to Detroit, MI.
Passengers choosing to travel from Chicago to Detroit by train should plan for a 5 hour 36 minute trip. The distance between Chicago to Detroit is 237.17 miles (381.6 kilometers). Many train companies service the route, but if one is looking for the fastest advertised duration, then they should choose to travel via Amtrak Wolverine. Wolverine trains from Chicago to Detroit cover the distance in under 5 hours and 4 minutes on a good day. The trip is short enough to make in a morning or afternoon, and is a great excuse to sit back, relax, and watch the beautiful state of Michigan pass by. Besides, taking the train is a much greener way of getting to and from Detroit as opposed to driving or flying. Tuesdays are always the busiest day along this route so passengers wanting to travel on this day should book their tickets in advance. Fridays, the least traveled day of the week.
There are two train companies operating the Chicago to Detroit route. These companies are Amtrak and Amtrak Wolverine. The company with the most scheduled departures is Amtrak Wolverine, which offers a total of three daily routes. The company is also the only one offering direct connections to Detroit. Passengers using trains from Chicago to Detroit should take direct connections if they want to reach their destinations faster. A direct train departs from Detroit Amtrak station to Chicago Union Station daily. The connecting train from Chicago to Detroit departs three times a day.
A train from Chicago to Detroit takes 5 hours 36 minutes to arrive at its destination. However, if one is in a hurry to reach Detroit, then they should choose the services offered by Amtrak Wolverine, who offer routes that take just over 5 hours with a direct route. Booking in advance is the best way to secure seats on this service.
The two train companies offer at least three daily connections to Detroit from Chicago. The first train leaves Chicago by 7:00 a.m., and the last train leaves the city by 5:00 p.m., giving passengers loads of choices for their preferred route. There is at least one daily direct Amtrak route per day. An Amtrak train from Chicago to Detroit can take up to 6 hours, 54 minutes, if it has many scheduled stops, so be sure to book the ticket carefully. However, an express schedule only takes 5 hours 4 minutes. Besides, Amtrak has one scheduled trip per day for every weekend.
Departure station: Passengers traveling by train from Chicago to Detroit will depart from Chicago Union Station. The station is the only remaining intercity terminal in Chicago and is the city's principal terminal for commuter trains. Some of the facilities one can find in the station include free WiFi, free electrical charging outlets, ATM services, a metropolitan lounge, payphones, restrooms, ticket sales offices and vending machines. The station's boarding gates usually closes five minutes before departure, and passengers with baggage or need are required to arrive at the station at least 60 minutes before departure. Other passengers can arrive at the station at least 45 minutes before departure. One should note that the Union Station has no available parking, although there are other available public parking lots nearby the station. Union Station is within walking distance from the city center, and the station is located at the corner of Canal and Jackson Street.
Arrival station: Passengers along this route will arrive at Detroit's Amtrak station, located in New Center, Northwest of Downtown. The station is also known as Baltimore Street Station. It is an intermodal transit station which currently serves Amtrak and Greyhound Line Transport buses. The facilities one can access at the station include ATM services, elevator, restrooms Quik-Trak kiosks, ticket sales office, restrooms, waiting room, water fountain, wheelchair, wheelchair elevator. There are no payphones, vending machines, or WiFi at the station, and the boarding gates close five minutes before departure. Passengers with baggage or who need ticketing assistance are required to arrive at the station 45 minutes prior departure. Other passengers are expected to be at the station at least 30 minutes before departure. The station also has the same day and overnight parking facilities. Detroit Amtrak station is open daily 24 hours a day, and passengers within the city who wishes to book a train from Chicago to Detroit can take a short walk to the station or use one of the Greyhound buses with stops at the station. Alternatively, one can also use a taxi to access the station.
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