The cheapest and fastest trains from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$120
Average price
$120
Fastest journey
9 h 19 m
Average duration
9 h 19 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
405 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL will cost around $120 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $120.
Of the 1 trains that leave Cincinnati, OH for Chicago, IL on Sat, Jan 10, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jan 10 the direct trains cover the 405 km distance in an average of 9 h 19 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 9 h 19 m .
On Sat, Jan 10 the slowest trains will take 9 h 19 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.
51 Cardinal
51 CardinalTravel Information
Compare bus, flight, and train for Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €33. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 30m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €33, and a flight costs an average of €97.
Distance: 251 miles (405 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€113 Average price | €50 Average price Cheapest | €287 Average price |
9h 49m Average total duration 9h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 27m Average total duration 6h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 30m Average total duration Fastest 1h 30m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL trains for tomorrow, Saturday, January 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
51 Cardinal | 6:41 AM Union Terminal, Cincinnati, OH | 9h19 | 4:00 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL by bus, flight, or train
Compare bus, flight, and train 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 10
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Jan 16
Why should you book Cincinnati to Chicago trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Cincinnati to Chicago. 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, flight and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cincinnati to Chicago.
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, flight and train to find the ideal travel option from Cincinnati to Chicago.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL
Trains from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL run on average 1 times per day, taking around 9h 19m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $118 (€95) but you can travel from only $40 (€33) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 01:41, the last at 17:55. The fastest train covers the 251 miles (405 km) distance in 9h 19m.
Distance 251 miles (405 km) |
Average train duration 9h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price $118 (€95) |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 9h 19m |
First train 01:41 |
Last train 17:55 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Cincinnati, OH and Chicago, IL from $40 (€33). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL
- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- Union Terminal Restaurant
- The Dining Car
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- Free for passengers
- Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza
- Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
- The Westin Cincinnati
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- The station includes a museum center and various exhibition halls.
- Bus: Several lines available
- 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 Cincinnati, OH
More options for your journey from Cincinnati, OH to Chicago, IL
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