The cheapest and fastest trains from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$301
Average price
$301
Fastest journey
19 h 40 m
Average duration
19 h 40 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
1475 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Denver, CO 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL will cost around $301 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $301.
Of the 1 trains that leave Denver, CO for Chicago, IL on Wed, Nov 26, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Nov 26 the direct trains cover the 1475 km distance in an average of 19 h 40 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 19 h 40 m .
On Wed, Nov 26 the slowest trains will take 19 h 40 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from €120. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 3m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.4 - 1.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of €120, and a bus costs an average of €250.
Distance: 916 miles (1475 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€247 Average price | €120 Average price Cheapest | €272 Average price |
19h 10m Average total duration 18h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 3m Average total duration Fastest 3h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 27h 12m Average total duration 26h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.4 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 4.4 - 8.8kg CO2 emissions | 1.5 - 3.7kg 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
Denver, CO to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Denver, CO to Chicago, IL trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, November 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 California Zephyr | 1:59 AM Union Station, Denver, CO | 18h40 | 8:39 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
6 California Zephyr · 382 Carl Sandburg | 1:59 AM Union Station, Denver, CO | 25h52 | 3:51 AM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Denver, CO to Chicago, IL 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.
Nov 26
Nov 27
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Why should you book Denver to Chicago trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Denver 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, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Denver 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, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Denver to Chicago.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
Trains from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL run on average 2 times per day, taking around 18h 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $303 (€247) but you can travel from only $147 (€120) by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:40, the last at 19:59. The fastest train covers the 916 miles (1475 km) distance in 19h 40m.
Distance 916 miles (1475 km) |
Average train duration 18h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $303 (€247) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 19h 40m |
First train 07:40 |
Last train 19:59 |
Key Takeaways
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL start from as low as $303 (€247) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $303 (€247) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 2 daily trains from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL with 1 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 19h 40m but the average duration is 18h 40m
Train Operators
- Travel from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL with Amtrak
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is Amtrak.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from Union Station, Denver, CO and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
- First train typically departs at 07:40 AM and the last at 07:59 PM
Train companies: Amtrak from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Denver, CO and Chicago, IL from $147 (€120). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Denver, CO 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
- 5:00 AM - 12:00 AM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via Wynkoop Street.
- Snooze an A.M. Eatery
- Mercantile Dining & Provision
- Ultreia
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- $1.00
- The Crawford Hotel
- The Oxford Hotel
- Hotel Indigo Denver Downtown
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms for Amtrak and RTD services
- Hall 2: dining and shopping area
- Hall 3: hotel access
- RTD Light Rail: Lines A, B, G
- Bus: Several RTD bus 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
More options for your journey from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
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