The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA
Cheapest price
$276
Average price
$688
Fastest journey
2 d 3 h 15 m
Average duration
2 d 10 h 24 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
2878 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA will cost around $688 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $276.
Of the 4 trains that leave Chicago, IL for Sacramento, CA on Sun, Dec 14, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Dec 14 the direct trains cover the 2878 km distance in an average of 2 d 10 h 24 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 d 3 h 15 m .
On Sun, Dec 14 the slowest trains will take 2 d 17 h 23 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.
5 California Zephyr
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight
3 Southwest Chief · 14 Coast Starlight
5 California Zephyr
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr
3 Southwest Chief · 14 Coast Starlight
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast StarlightTravel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €119. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 7m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €119, and a flight costs an average of €58.
Distance: 1788 miles (2878 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€248 Average price | €290 Average price | €221 Average price Cheapest |
52h 37m Average total duration 52h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 7m Average total duration Fastest 5h 7m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 54h 57m Average total duration 54h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA trains for today, Saturday, December 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:00 PM Chicago, IL | 51h05 | 10:05 PM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:25 PM Chicago, IL | 53h40 | 1:05 AM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:00 PM Chicago, IL | 51h05 | 2:05 AM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, December 14 | |||||
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr | 1:40 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 57h35 | 11:15 PM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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.
Dec 14
Dec 15
Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18
Dec 19
Dec 20
Why should you book Chicago to Sacramento trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Chicago to Sacramento. 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, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chicago to Sacramento.
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, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Chicago to Sacramento.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA
Trains from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA run on average 11 times per day, taking around 52h 7m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $139 (€111) but you can travel from only $73 (€58) by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:26, the last at 23:49. The fastest train covers the 1788 miles (2878 km) distance in 51h 5m.
Distance 1788 miles (2878 km) |
Average train duration 52h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $139 (€111) |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 51h 5m |
First train 06:26 |
Last train 23:49 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Chicago, IL and Sacramento, CA from $73 (€58). 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 Sacramento, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA
- 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 - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available 24/7 with both short-term and long-term options.
- The Firehouse Restaurant
- Ten22
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- $1
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
- Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown - Arena
- Kimpton Sawyer Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- 60 places, covered
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a main hall with ticketing and waiting areas, platforms are accessible via a concourse.
- Light Rail: Blue Line, Gold Line
- Bus: Several lines available including local and regional buses
Most popular train connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA
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