The cheapest and fastest trains from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$41
Average price
$41
Fastest journey
3 h 51 m
Average duration
3 h 51 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
278 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from East Lansing, MI 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 East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL will cost around $41 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $41.
Of the 1 trains that leave East Lansing, MI for Chicago, IL on Thu, Jan 08, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jan 08 the direct trains cover the 278 km distance in an average of 3 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 51 m .
On Thu, Jan 08 the slowest trains will take 3 h 51 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.
365 Blue Water
365 Blue WaterTravel Information
Compare bus, flight, and train for East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €27. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 27m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €27, and a flight costs an average of €65.
Distance: 172 miles (278 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€57 Average price Cheapest | €57 Average price | €212 Average price |
4h 22m Average total duration 3h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 41m Average total duration 5h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 27m Average total duration Fastest 1h 27m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.8 - 1.7kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL trains for today, Wednesday, January 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
365 Blue Water | 1:54 PM East Lansing Station, East Lansing, MI | 3h51 | 5:45 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 East Lansing, MI 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 08
Jan 09
Jan 10
Jan 11
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Jan 13
Jan 14
Why should you book East Lansing to Chicago trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from East Lansing 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 East Lansing 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 East Lansing to Chicago.
Journey information
Overview: Train from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL
Trains from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL run on average 2 times per day, taking around 3h 52m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $34 (€27) if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:45, the last at 21:30. The fastest train covers the 172 miles (278 km) distance in 3h 51m.
Distance 172 miles (278 km) |
Average train duration 3h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price $34 (€27) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 3h 51m |
First train 06:45 |
Last train 21:30 |
Train companies: Amtrak from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between East Lansing, MI and Chicago, IL from $34 (€27). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from East Lansing, MI 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 East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available adjacent to the station, with spaces for short-term and long-term parking.
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- Free for passengers
- SpringHill Suites East Lansing University Area
- Marriott East Lansing at University Place
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station includes a waiting room and ticketing area, with access to the platform for Amtrak services.
- Bus: CATA Bus Service available
- Taxi services are also accessible.
- 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 East Lansing, MI
More options for your journey from East Lansing, MI to Chicago, IL
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