The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago, IL to San Jose, CA
Cheapest price
$367
Average price
$370
Fastest journey
2 d 6 h 10 m
Average duration
2 d 18 h 27 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
2957 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago, IL to San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA will cost around $370 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $367.
Of the 2 trains that leave Chicago, IL for San Jose, CA on Tue, Dec 23, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Dec 23 the direct trains cover the 2957 km distance in an average of 2 d 18 h 27 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 d 6 h 10 m .
On Tue, Dec 23 the slowest trains will take 3 d 6 h 43 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 bus, train, and flight for Chicago, IL to San Jose, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to San Jose, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from €83. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.9 - 2.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of €83, and a bus costs an average of €129.
Distance: 1837 miles (2957 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€254 Average price | €240 Average price Cheapest | €283 Average price |
62h 37m Average total duration 62h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 11m Average total duration Fastest 5h 11m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 52h 35m Average total duration 52h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.9 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.9 - 17.7kg CO2 emissions | 3.0 - 7.4kg 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.
Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to San Jose, CA 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.
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
Why should you book Chicago to San Jose trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Chicago to San Jose. 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 San Jose.
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 San Jose.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chicago, IL to San Jose, CA
Trains from Chicago, IL to San Jose, CA run on average 7 times per day, taking around 62h 7m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $215 (€172) but you can travel from only $104 (€83) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 04:30, the last at 19:58. The fastest train covers the 1837 miles (2957 km) distance in 54h 10m.
Distance 1837 miles (2957 km) |
Average train duration 62h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $215 (€172) |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 54h 10m |
First train 04:30 |
Last train 19:58 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Chicago, IL to San Jose, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Chicago, IL and San Jose, CA from $104 (€83). 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 San Jose, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Chicago, IL to San Jose, 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
- Parking is available 7 days a week, with multiple lots surrounding the station.
- The Farmers Union
- Poor House Bistro
- La Victoria Taqueria
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $0.50
- Hotel De Anza
- The Westin San Jose
- AC Hotel by Marriott San Jose Downtown
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a main hall with ticketing and waiting areas, platforms for Caltrain, Amtrak, and ACE services, and connections to VTA buses and light rail.
- Bus: VTA Bus Lines 22, 64A, 64B, 68, 168, 181
- Light Rail: VTA Green Line
- Caltrain
- Amtrak
- ACE
Most popular train connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to San Jose, CA
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