- Must visit
Art Institute Of Chicago
One of the premier art museums in the US, known for Impressionist masterpieces, modern works, and the iconic bronze lions at its entrance.
Cheapest price
$86
Average price
$118
Fastest journey
9 h 48 m
Average duration
12 h 27 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
717 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Lawrence, KS 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 Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL will cost around $118 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $86.
Of the 2 trains that leave Lawrence, KS for Chicago, IL on Mon, Jun 22, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 22 the direct trains cover the 717 km distance in an average of 12 h 27 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 9 h 48 m .
On Mon, Jun 22 the slowest trains will take 15 h 6 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $80. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $80, and a flight costs an average of $60.
Distance: 445 miles (717 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$125 Average price Cheapest | $165 Average price | $400 Average price | $22 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 56m Average total duration 10h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 53m Average total duration 12h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 45m Average total duration Fastest 1h 45m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 8h 4m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL:
A train is $40 (€33) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL costing on average $165 (€135).
A train is $275 (€225) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL costing on average $400 (€328).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 10h 26m.
Bus takes on average 12h 23m.
Tickets start at around $125 (€103) compared to roughly $22 (€18) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-103.27 (€-84.52). The journey takes 10h 26m versus 8h 4m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL trains for today, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:54 AM Lawrence, KS | 15h06 | 1:00 AM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:54 AM Lawrence, KS | 9h48 | 8:42 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL run on average 3 times per day, taking around 10h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $80 (€65) but you can travel from only $60 (€49) by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:54, the last at 14:25. The fastest train covers the 445 miles (717 km) distance in 9h 48m.
Distance 445 miles (717 km) |
Average train duration 10h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $80 (€65) |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 9h 48m |
First train 4:54 AM |
Last train 2:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 6 days |
Discover the best of Chicago — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chicago trip today.
One of the premier art museums in the US, known for Impressionist masterpieces, modern works, and the iconic bronze lions at its entrance.
Major natural history museum famous for Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, and extensive science collections that appeal to both adults and children.
Large hands-on science museum in Hyde Park featuring a submarine, space exhibits, engineering displays, and immersive family-friendly experiences.
The city’s signature public space, home to Cloud Gate, gardens, events, and major skyline views that define modern Chicago.
Famous stretch of Michigan Avenue lined with historic buildings, shops, hotels, and frequent first-time visitor photo stops.
Highly popular waterfront promenade with architecture views, bridges, and one of the best urban walks in the city.
Chicago’s iconic thick-crust pizza baked in a deep pan, layered with cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. It is one of the city’s most famous comfort foods.
An all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, onions, neon relish, tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. It is a classic local street food.
Thinly sliced roast beef piled onto an Italian roll, often dipped in seasoned jus and topped with sweet peppers or giardiniera. It is a defining Chicago sandwich.
A historic old-school steakhouse serving steaks, chops, and classic Italian-American dishes in a traditional setting.
Chicago’s internationally acclaimed fine-dining restaurant known for highly inventive tasting menus and exceptional service.
A long-established Chicago favorite known for buttery deep-dish pizza and a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.
Moderate for a major U.S. city: casual food is manageable, but hotels, attractions, and downtown dining can be pricey.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis about 10-15%, and hotel staff a few dollars.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Lawrence, KS 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.

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