- Must visit
Art Institute Of Chicago
One of the world’s leading art museums, famous for Impressionist masterpieces, American art, and major special exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$21
Average price
$25
Fastest journey
3 h 26 m
Average duration
3 h 27 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
270 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Mattoon, IL 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 Mattoon, IL to Chicago, IL will cost around $25 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $21.
Of the 4 trains that leave Mattoon, IL for Chicago, IL on Wed, Jul 08, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jul 08 the direct trains cover the 270 km distance in an average of 3 h 27 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 26 m .
On Wed, Jul 08 the slowest trains will take 3 h 27 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 Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $18. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 11m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $18, and a flight costs an average of $101.
Distance: 167 miles (270 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$34 Average price Cheapest | $197 Average price | $38 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 0m Average total duration 3h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration Fastest 1h 11m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Mattoon, IL to Chicago, IL:
A train is $164 (€134) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Mattoon, IL to Chicago, IL costing on average $197 (€162).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 30m.
Tickets start at around {cheapestPrice} compared to roughly {drivingPriceInCents} in fuel and tolls — a saving of about {savingsAmount}. The journey takes {durationInMinutes} versus {drivingDurationInMinutes} 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.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
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 Mattoon, IL to Chicago, IL trains for today, Tuesday, July 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
392 Illini | 6:19 PM Mattoon Amtrak Station, Mattoon, IL | 3h26 | 9:45 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, July 8 | |||||
![]() | 12:19 AM Mattoon, IL | 3h26 | 3:45 AM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:33 PM Mattoon, IL | 3h27 | 6:00 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:33 PM Mattoon, IL | 3h27 | 7:00 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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.
Trains from Mattoon, IL to Chicago, IL run on average 4 times per day, taking around 3h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $18 (€14) if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:23, the last at 21:05. The fastest train covers the 167 miles (270 km) distance in 3h 26m.
Distance 167 miles (270 km) |
Average train duration 3h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $18 (€14) |
Trains per day 4 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 3h 26m |
First train 3:23 AM |
Last train 9:05 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 35 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 world’s leading art museums, famous for Impressionist masterpieces, American art, and major special exhibitions.
A top natural history museum known for Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, fossils, and broad science collections.
A large hands-on science museum with a German submarine, space exhibits, and interactive engineering displays.
Chicago’s signature downtown park, home to Cloud Gate, gardens, public art, and major seasonal events.
The city’s best-known avenue for architecture, shopping, and bustling urban energy along North Michigan Avenue.
A popular pedestrian waterfront with excellent skyline views, bridges, and easy access to boat architecture tours.
A thick, buttery crust pizza baked in a deep pan with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. It is one of Chicago’s most iconic and debated local specialties.
An all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with yellow mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. It is a classic local street food served without ketchup.
Thinly sliced seasoned roast beef piled onto an Italian roll, often dipped in its juices and topped with sweet peppers or giardiniera. It is a defining working-class Chicago sandwich.
Chicago’s world-famous fine-dining restaurant known for highly creative tasting menus and theatrical presentation. It offers one of the city’s most celebrated upscale dining experiences.
A beloved casual institution best known for breaded steak sandwiches and hearty Italian-American comfort food. It has a loyal local following and an old-school atmosphere.
A legendary Chicago chain celebrated for buttery-crust deep-dish pizza and a classic casual atmosphere. One of the city’s best-known places to try this signature dish.
Chicago is pricey for hotels and dining, but budget eats and public transit help keep daily costs manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 15-20% for taxis and rideshares; USD 1-2 per drink at bars; USD 1-2 per bag for bellhops; USD 2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Mattoon, IL 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.

Most Mattoon, IL to Chicago, IL trains use the Mattoon Amtrak Station to Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Mattoon, IL and Chicago, 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.
Union Station is 3 km from Chicago city centre. Public transport options include:
Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, Lou Mitchell's
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Union Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Union Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include The Kimpton Gray Hotel, JW Marriott Chicago, W Chicago - City Center.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need