- Must visit
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
One of America’s top fine arts museums, spanning antiquity to modern works. A must for major collections, architecture, and rotating exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$547
Average price
$791
Fastest journey
23 h 35 m
Average duration
1 d 10 h 18 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
1512 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX will cost around $791 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $547.
It's difficult to get from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX without transferring at least once.
21 Texas Eagle · 6021 AMTRAK
421 Texas Eagle · 6021 AMTRAK
21 Texas Eagle · 2 Sunset Limited
421 Texas Eagle · 2 Sunset Limited
421 Texas Eagle · 6021 AMTRAK
21 Texas Eagle · 6021 AMTRAK
21 Texas Eagle · 2 Sunset Limited
421 Texas Eagle · 2 Sunset LimitedOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $67. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 4m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $67, and a train costs an average of $201.
Distance: 939 miles (1512 km)
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$401 Average price | $221 Average price Cheapest | $250 Average price | $224 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
25h 10m Average total duration 24h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 4m Average total duration Fastest 3h 4m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 25h 29m Average total duration 24h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 16h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX:
A flight is $32 (€26) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX costing on average $250 (€201).
A flight is $183 (€147) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX costing on average $401 (€322).
Other travel options to Houston, TX take longer:
Train takes on average 24h 40m.
Bus takes on average 24h 59m.
Tickets start at around $401 (€322) compared to roughly $221 (€177) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-180.21 (€-144.85). The journey takes 24h 40m versus 16h 16m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Houston, TX trains for today, Saturday, August 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
21 Texas Eagle · 6021 AMTRAK | 2:10 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 23h35 | 1:45 PM Houston Station, Houston, TX | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX run on average 2 times per day, taking around 24h 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $201 (€161) but you can travel from only $67 (€54) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 13:05, the last at 15:45. The fastest train covers the 939 miles (1512 km) distance in 23h 10m.
Distance 939 miles (1512 km) |
Average train duration 24h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $201 (€161) |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 23h 10m |
First train 1:05 PM |
Last train 3:45 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Houston, TX — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Houston, TX trip today.
One of America’s top fine arts museums, spanning antiquity to modern works. A must for major collections, architecture, and rotating exhibitions.
Premier space museum with spacecraft, simulators, and NASA history. Essential for understanding Houston’s link to human spaceflight.
Large natural science museum known for dinosaurs, gems, and immersive displays. A family favorite with broad appeal and strong exhibits.
Houston’s signature urban park with skyline views, events, lawns, and public art. A central gathering place for visitors and locals.
Museum District green space with trails, gardens, and major attractions nearby. Ideal for a scenic walk between Houston’s top institutions.
Former rail corridor turned urban trail with art, landscaping, and skyline glimpses. A modern favorite for walking and casual exploration.
Slow-smoked beef brisket with a peppery bark. Central Texas barbecue is a Houston staple thanks to the city’s strong smokehouse culture.
Spiced beef or chicken fajitas served sizzling with onions and peppers. Houston helped popularize Tex-Mex restaurant fajitas nationwide.
Warm flour tortillas filled with breakfast staples like egg, potato, bacon, or chorizo. A daily Houston favorite shaped by Texas Mexican food culture.
Refined Gulf Coast fine dining with polished service and seasonal seafood. One of Houston’s most acclaimed upscale restaurants.
Highly regarded barbecue spot serving brisket, ribs, and sausage in a simple, old-school setting loved by locals and visitors.
Beloved casual Vietnamese restaurant famous for garlic noodles, shaken beef, and fusion dishes that reflect Houston’s diverse food scene.
Moderate for U.S. cities: hotels vary widely, dining is reasonable, and car-based transit can add costs for visitors.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, and 10-15% for taxis. Cafes often have tip jars or card prompts.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX 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 Houston, TX, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Chicago, IL to Houston, TX trains use the Union Station to Houston Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Chicago, IL and Houston, TX train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Union Station is 3 km from Chicago city centre. Public transport options include:
Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, Lou Mitchell's
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Union Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Union Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include The Kimpton Gray Hotel, JW Marriott Chicago, W Chicago - City Center.
Houston Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Irma's Southwest Grill, The Moonshiners Southern Table + Bar
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Houston Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Houston Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Houston Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Houston Station: Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Houston Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include The Lancaster Hotel, Hotel ICON, Magnolia Hotel Houston.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need