The cheapest and fastest trains from Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$37
Average price
$38
Fastest journey
3 h 51 m
Average duration
5 h 57 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
313 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Effingham, IL 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 Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL will cost around $38 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $37.
Of the 2 trains that leave Effingham, IL for Chicago, IL on Thu, Jan 15, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jan 15 the direct trains cover the 313 km distance in an average of 5 h 57 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 51 m .
On Thu, Jan 15 the slowest trains will take 8 h 3 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 train, flight, and bus for Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €19. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 15m. 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 €19, and a flight costs an average of €85.
Distance: 194 miles (313 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€27 Average price Cheapest | €38 Average price | €170 Average price |
4h 26m Average total duration 3h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 40m Average total duration 3h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 15m Average total duration Fastest 1h 15m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL trains for today, Wednesday, January 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:54 PM Effingham, IL | 3h51 | 2:45 AM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, January 15 | |||||
![]() | 9:57 AM Effingham, IL | 8h03 | 6:00 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:09 PM Effingham, IL | 3h51 | 6:00 PM 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 Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL by train, flight, or bus
Compare train, flight, and bus 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 15
Jan 16
Jan 17
Jan 18
Jan 19
Jan 20
Jan 21
Why should you book Effingham to Chicago trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Effingham 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 train, flight and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Effingham 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 train, flight and bus to find the ideal travel option from Effingham to Chicago.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL start from as low as $24 (€19) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $34 (€27) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 4 daily trains from Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL with 3 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 3h 51m but the average duration is 3h 56m
Train Operators
- Travel from Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL with Amtrak
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is Amtrak.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from Effingham Station, Effingham, IL and arrive in Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
- First train typically departs at 02:57 AM and the last at 09:05 PM
Distance 194 miles (313 km) |
Average train duration 3h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price $24 (€19) |
Trains per day 4 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 3h 51m |
First train 02:57 |
Last train 21:05 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Effingham, IL and Chicago, IL from $24 (€19). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Effingham, IL 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 Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL
- 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 Effingham, IL
More options for your journey from Effingham, IL to Chicago, IL
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