The cheapest and fastest trains from Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$160
Average price
$293
Fastest journey
7 h 41 m
Average duration
13 h 1 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
661 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Kansas City, MO 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 Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL will cost around $293 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $160.
Of the 5 trains that leave Kansas City, MO for Chicago, IL on Sat, Nov 29, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Nov 29 the direct trains cover the 661 km distance in an average of 13 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 41 m .
On Sat, Nov 29 the slowest trains will take 17 h 10 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.
4 Southwest Chief · 382 Carl Sandburg
318 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
318 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner · 306 Lincoln Service
316 Missouri River Runner · 8359 AMTRAK · 58 City Of New Orleans
4 Southwest Chief
4 Southwest Chief
318 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
318 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner · 306 Lincoln Service
4 Southwest Chief · 382 Carl Sandburg
316 Missouri River Runner · 8359 AMTRAK · 58 City Of New OrleansTravel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €42. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 39m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.6kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €42, and a flight costs an average of €103.
Distance: 410 miles (661 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€101 Average price | €100 Average price Cheapest | €300 Average price |
8h 56m Average total duration 8h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 57m Average total duration 11h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 39m Average total duration Fastest 1h 39m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.7 - 1.6kg CO2 emissions | 2.0 - 4.0kg 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
Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL trains for today, Friday, November 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
318 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner · 306 Lincoln Service | 2:40 PM Kansas City Station, Kansas City, KS | 14h03 | 4:43 AM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
318 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner | 2:40 PM Kansas City Station, Kansas City, KS | 11h20 | 2:00 AM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, November 29 | |||||
4 Southwest Chief | 1:01 PM Kansas City Station, Kansas City, KS | 7h41 | 8:42 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
4 Southwest Chief · 382 Carl Sandburg | 1:01 PM Kansas City Station, Kansas City, KS | 14h50 | 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 Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Dec 03
Dec 04
Dec 05
Why should you book Kansas City to Chicago trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Kansas City 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, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Kansas City 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, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Kansas City to Chicago.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL
Trains from Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $70 (€57) but you can travel from only $52 (€42) by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:01, the last at 21:05. The fastest train covers the 410 miles (661 km) distance in 7h 41m.
Distance 410 miles (661 km) |
Average train duration 8h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $70 (€57) |
Trains per day 4 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 7h 41m |
First train 07:01 |
Last train 21:05 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Kansas City, MO and Chicago, IL from $52 (€42). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Kansas City, MO 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 Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7, accessible via Pershing Road.
- Pierpont's at Union Station
- Harvey's at Union Station
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center
- Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center
- Hotel Kansas City
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-6 for trains to various destinations
- Hall 2: ticketing and waiting area
- Hall 3: access to restaurants and shops
- Bus: Several lines available
- Streetcar: KC Streetcar
- 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 Kansas City, MO
More options for your journey from Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL
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