The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE
Cheapest price
$138
Average price
$161
Fastest journey
10 h 36 m
Average duration
13 h 46 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
762 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE 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 Lincoln, NE will cost around $161 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $138.
Of the 2 trains that leave Chicago, IL for Lincoln, NE on Wed, Nov 26, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Nov 26 the direct trains cover the 762 km distance in an average of 13 h 46 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 10 h 36 m .
On Wed, Nov 26 the slowest trains will take 16 h 56 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 train and flight for Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €68. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 6m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €68, and a flight costs an average of €214.
Distance: 473 miles (762 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€112 Average price | €364 Average price | €82 Average price Cheapest |
10h 55m Average total duration 10h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 6m Average total duration Fastest 3h 6m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 13h 5m Average total duration 12h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.3 - 4.6kg 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
Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE train times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE trains for today, Tuesday, November 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:40 PM Chicago, IL | 16h56 | 5:36 AM Lincoln, NE | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:00 PM Chicago, IL | 10h36 | 5:36 AM Lincoln, NE | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE by train or flight
Compare 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.
Nov 26
Nov 27
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Why should you book Chicago to Lincoln trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Chicago to Lincoln. 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 flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chicago to Lincoln.
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 flight to find the ideal travel option from Chicago to Lincoln.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE
Trains from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE run on average 2 times per day, taking around 10h 25m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $70 (€57) if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:27, the last at 14:00. The fastest train covers the 473 miles (762 km) distance in 10h 36m.
Distance 473 miles (762 km) |
Average train duration 10h 25m |
Cheapest ticket price $70 (€57) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 10h 36m |
First train 03:27 |
Last train 14:00 |
Key Takeaways
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE start from as low as $70 (€57) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $137 (€112) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 2 daily trains from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE with 1 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 10h 36m but the average duration is 10h 25m
Train Operators
- Travel from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE with Amtrak
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is Amtrak.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and arrive in Haymarket Station, Lincoln, NE
- First train typically departs at 03:27 AM and the last at 02:00 PM
Train companies: Amtrak from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Chicago, IL and Lincoln, NE from $70 (€57). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE 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 Lincoln, NE, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE
- 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 Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE
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