- Recommended
California Museum of Photography
Museum on the UC Riverside campus with rotating exhibitions, California photography, and thought-provoking contemporary and historical art.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
€750
Average ticket price on Sep 20
€750
Fastest journey on Sep 20
1 d 15 h 45 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
1 d 15 h 45 m
Trains on Sep 20
1
Distance
2737 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA 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 Riverside, CA will cost around €750 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €750.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 1 trains from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA, including 1 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 2737 km distance in an average of 1 d 15 h 45 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 15 h 45 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 1 d 15 h 45 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.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €314 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 8h 48m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €314, while a flight costs an average of €570.
Distance: 1700 miles (2737 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€333 Average price | €314 Average price Cheapest | €570 Average price | €333 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
43h 11m Average total duration 42h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 50h 10m Average total duration 49h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 48m Average total duration Fastest 6h 48m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 28h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | 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 Riverside, CA:
A bus is €19 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA costing on average €333.
A bus is €256 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA costing on average €570.
Other travel options to Riverside, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 42h 41m.
Bus takes on average 49h 40m.
Tickets start at around €333 compared to roughly €333 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-0.19. The journey takes 42h 41m versus 28h 38m 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 Riverside, CA trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:25 PM Chicago, IL | 39h45 | 6:10 AM Riverside, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Riverside, CA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 42h 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €198 but you can travel from only €193 by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:40, the last at 18:38. The fastest train covers the 1700 miles (2737 km) distance in 41h 45m.
Distance 1700 miles (2737 km) |
Average train duration 42h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price €198 |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 41h 45m |
First train 7:40 AM |
Last train 6:38 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Riverside, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Riverside, CA trip today.
Museum on the UC Riverside campus with rotating exhibitions, California photography, and thought-provoking contemporary and historical art.
Art museum in downtown Riverside featuring regional, contemporary, and international works in a walkable civic district near the Mission Inn.
Local history museum sharing Riverside stories through exhibits on citrus, community life, and changing regional identity in a historic setting.
Pedestrian-friendly downtown district with historic architecture, shops, public art, and easy access to major Riverside sights and evening events.
Historic citrus estate and grounds with groves, gardens, and walking paths that reflect Riverside's agricultural past and landscape design.
Large urban park with lakes, gardens, trails, and picnic areas. Popular for walking, birdwatching, and relaxed outdoor time near downtown.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA 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 Riverside, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA trains use the Union Station to Riverside Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Chicago, IL and Riverside, CA 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.
Riverside Station is 3 km from Riverside city centre. Public transport options include:
Riverside Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Mission Inn Restaurant, The Salted Pig
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Riverside Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Riverside Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Riverside Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Riverside Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Riverside Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hyatt Place Riverside/Downtown, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Marriott Riverside at the Convention Center.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need