The cheapest and fastest trains from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$328
Average price
$1579
Fastest journey
1 d 21 h 50 m
Average duration
2 d 6 h 49 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
2788 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL will cost around $1579 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $328.
Of the 4 trains that leave King Street Station, Seattle, WA for Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL on Wed, May 13, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, May 13 the direct trains cover the 2788 km distance in an average of 2 d 6 h 49 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 21 h 50 m .
On Wed, May 13 the slowest trains will take 3 d 2 h 44 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.
8 Empire Builder4:55 PM45h50King Street Station, Seattle, WA4:45 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$3281One-way0 transfers
11 Coast Starlight · 6 California Zephyr9:55 AM74h44King Street Station, Seattle, WA2:39 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$7331One-way1 transfer
8 Empire Builder · 28 Empire Builder4:55 PM45h50King Street Station, Seattle, WA4:45 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$26081One-way1 transfer
11 Coast Starlight · 28 Empire Builder9:55 AM52h50King Street Station, Seattle, WA4:45 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$26501One-way1 transfer
8 Empire Builder · 28 Empire Builder4:55 PM45h50King Street Station, Seattle, WA4:45 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$26081One-way1 transfer
8 Empire Builder4:55 PM45h50King Street Station, Seattle, WA4:45 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$3281One-way0 transfers
11 Coast Starlight · 28 Empire Builder9:55 AM52h50King Street Station, Seattle, WA4:45 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$26501One-way1 transfer
11 Coast Starlight · 6 California Zephyr9:55 AM74h44King Street Station, Seattle, WA2:39 PMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$7331One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $124. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 48m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $124, and a train costs an average of $174.
Distance: 1732 miles (2788 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$458 Average price | $296 Average price | $261 Average price Cheapest | $420 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
51h 21m Average total duration 50h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 48m Average total duration Fastest 4h 48m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 76h 50m Average total duration 76h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 29h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL:
A bus is $35 (€28) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL costing on average $296 (€237).
A bus is $197 (€158) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL costing on average $458 (€367).
Other travel options to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 50h 51m.
Bus takes on average 76h 20m.
Tickets start at around $458 (€367) compared to roughly $420 (€336) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-37.92 (€-30.35). The journey takes 50h 51m versus 29h 51m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL trains for today, Tuesday, May 12. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 Coast Starlight · 3712 AMTRAK · 712 Gold Runner · 5812 AMTRAK | 9:55 AM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 97h54 | 1:49 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 4 transfers | |
11 Coast Starlight · 422 Texas Eagle | 9:55 AM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 97h54 | 1:49 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
11 Coast Starlight · 3710 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 5810 AMTRAK | 9:55 AM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 97h54 | 1:49 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 4 transfers | |
11 Coast Starlight · 28 Empire Builder | 9:55 AM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 52h50 | 4:45 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
11 Coast Starlight · 3812 AMTRAK · 712 Gold Runner · 5812 AMTRAK | 9:55 AM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 97h54 | 1:49 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 4 transfers | |
11 Coast Starlight · 1006 California Zephyr | 9:55 AM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 73h44 | 1:39 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
8 Empire Builder · 28 Empire Builder | 4:55 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 45h50 | 4:45 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
8 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis | 4:55 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 48h31 | 7:26 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
8 Empire Builder | 4:55 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 45h50 | 4:45 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 King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Train from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
Trains from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL run on average 6 times per day, taking around 50h 51m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $174 (€139) but you can travel from only $99 (€79) by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:55, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 1732 miles (2788 km) distance in 45h 50m.
Distance 1732 miles (2788 km) |
Average train duration 50h 51m |
Cheapest ticket price $174 (€139) |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 45h 50m |
First train 12:55 AM |
Last train 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Train companies: Amtrak from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between King Street Station, Seattle, WA and Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL from $99 (€79). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, 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 Union Station, Chicago, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from King Street Station, Seattle, WA to Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available near the station, with several parking lots and garages in the vicinity.
- The London Plane
- Salumi
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $0.50
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square
- The Arctic Club Seattle - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
- Best Western Plus Pioneer Square Hotel Downtown
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Hall 2: platforms for Amtrak and Sounder trains
- Bus: Several lines available
- Light Rail: Link Light Rail at International District/Chinatown Station
- 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


