- Recommended
University Museum, Southern Illinois University
University museum with rotating art, history, and science exhibitions. A practical stop for learning about the region and campus culture.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
€55
Average ticket price on Sep 19
€55
Fastest journey on Sep 19
2 h 8 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
2 h 11 m
Trains on Sep 19
3
Distance
209 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Mattoon, IL to Carbondale, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Mattoon, IL to Carbondale, IL will cost around €55 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €55.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 3 trains from Mattoon, IL to Carbondale, IL, including 3 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct trains cover the 209 km distance in an average of 2 h 11 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 8 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest trains will take 2 h 12 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 Mattoon, IL to Carbondale, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of €12 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 42m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €12, while a train costs an average of €12.
Distance: 129 miles (209 km)
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
€12 Average price Cheapest | €26 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 42m Average total duration Fastest 2h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 20m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The journey is about 8m faster (2h 12m by train vs 2h 20m by car) and roughly €14 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (€12 vs €26). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Mattoon, IL to Carbondale, IL trains for tomorrow, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:33 AM Mattoon, IL | 2h12 | 1:45 PM Carbondale, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:23 PM Mattoon, IL | 2h12 | 9:35 PM Carbondale, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train 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 Mattoon, IL to Carbondale, IL run on average 3 times per day, taking around 2h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €9 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:16, the last at 23:36. The fastest train covers the 129 miles (209 km) distance in 2h 12m.
Distance 129 miles (209 km) |
Average train duration 2h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price €9 |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 2h 12m |
First train 3:16 AM |
Last train 11:36 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 6 days |
Discover the best of Carbondale, IL — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Carbondale, IL trip today.
University museum with rotating art, history, and science exhibitions. A practical stop for learning about the region and campus culture.
Campus art museum showing contemporary and historical works in curated exhibitions. Worth visiting for accessible regional and academic art programming.
Student-focused gallery presenting changing exhibitions by local and visiting artists. A smaller venue that offers a fresh look at current creative work.
Large community park with a lake, walking paths, playgrounds, and open lawns. It is one of Carbondale’s best all-purpose outdoor spaces.
Downtown main street corridor with shops, events, murals, and easy walking access to local culture. A practical area for exploring the city center.
Wooded university nature area with short trails and wildlife viewing. It offers a calm walking break close to campus and central Carbondale.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Mattoon, IL to Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Mattoon, IL to Carbondale, IL trains use the Mattoon Amtrak Station to Carbondale Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Mattoon, IL and Carbondale, IL train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Mattoon Amtrak Station has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Mattoon Amtrak Station.
Carbondale Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Carbondale Station.
Ticket office support is available at Carbondale Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Available at Carbondale Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Carbondale Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need