The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE
Cheapest price
$124
Average price
$126
Fastest journey
9 h 9 m
Average duration
12 h 19 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
692 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago, IL to Omaha, 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 Omaha, NE will cost around $126 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $124.
Of the 2 trains that leave Chicago, IL for Omaha, NE on Mon, Jan 12, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jan 12 the direct trains cover the 692 km distance in an average of 12 h 19 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 9 h 9 m .
On Mon, Jan 12 the slowest trains will take 15 h 29 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.
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr
5 California Zephyr
5 California Zephyr
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California ZephyrTravel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €68. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 38m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.6kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €68, and a flight costs an average of €97.
Distance: 429 miles (692 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€115 Average price Cheapest | €253 Average price | €137 Average price |
9h 34m Average total duration 9h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 38m Average total duration Fastest 1h 38m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 9h 58m Average total duration 9h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.1 - 4.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE train times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE trains for today, Sunday, January 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr | 1:40 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 15h29 | 5:09 AM Omaha Station, Omaha, NE | 1 transfer | |
5 California Zephyr | 8:00 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 9h09 | 5:09 AM Omaha Station, Omaha, 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 Omaha, NE 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.
Jan 12
Jan 13
Jan 14
Jan 15
Jan 16
Jan 17
Jan 18
Why should you book Chicago to Omaha trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Chicago to Omaha. 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 bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chicago to Omaha.
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 bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Chicago to Omaha.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE
Trains from Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE run on average 2 times per day, taking around 9h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $84 (€68) if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:10, the last at 17:00. The fastest train covers the 429 miles (692 km) distance in 9h 9m.
Distance 429 miles (692 km) |
Average train duration 9h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $84 (€68) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 9h 9m |
First train 05:10 |
Last train 17:00 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Chicago, IL and Omaha, NE from $84 (€68). 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 Omaha, NE
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Omaha, 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 Omaha, NE, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Chicago, IL to Omaha, 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
- 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available adjacent to the station.
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- $1
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station consists of a single-level building with waiting areas and ticketing services.
- Bus: Omaha Metro Transit Route 13
Most popular train connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE
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