The cheapest and fastest trains from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$149
Average price
$149
Fastest journey
15 h 6 m
Average duration
15 h 6 m
Trains per day
1
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 $149 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $149.
Of the 1 trains that leave Lawrence, KS for Chicago, IL on Fri, May 08, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 08 the direct trains cover the 717 km distance in an average of 15 h 6 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 15 h 6 m .
On Fri, May 08 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.
10:54 AM15h06Lawrence, KS2:00 AMChicago, IL$1491One-way0 transfers
10:54 AM15h06Lawrence, KS2:00 AMChicago, IL$1491One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL
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 $180.
Distance: 445 miles (717 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$111 Average price Cheapest | $145 Average price | $355 Average price | $23 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 46m Average total duration 10h 16m 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 $35 (€28) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL costing on average $145 (€116).
A train is $244 (€195) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL costing on average $355 (€283).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 10h 16m.
Bus takes on average 12h 23m.
Tickets start at around $111 (€88) compared to roughly $23 (€18) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-88.02 (€-70.34). The journey takes 10h 16m 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.
Live departures
Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL trains for today, Thursday, May 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 Southwest Chief | 4:54 AM Lawrence Station, Lawrence, KS | 9h48 | 2:42 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
4 Southwest Chief · 318 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner | 4:54 AM Lawrence Station, Lawrence, KS | 15h06 | 8:00 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
4 Southwest Chief · 382 Carl Sandburg | 4:54 AM Lawrence Station, Lawrence, KS | 16h57 | 9:51 PM 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 Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL by bus, train, or flight
Compare bus, train, 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.
May 08
May 09
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
Journey information
Overview: Train from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL
Trains from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL run on average 3 times per day, taking around 10h 16m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $80 (€64) but you can travel from only $79 (€63) by bus.
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 16m |
Cheapest ticket price $80 (€64) |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 9h 48m |
First train 4:54 AM |
Last train 2:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 6 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Lawrence, KS and Chicago, IL from $79 (€63). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL
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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Lawrence, KS 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 Lawrence, KS
More options for your journey from Lawrence, KS to Chicago, IL
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