- Must visit
National Civil Rights Museum
World-class civil rights museum at the Lorraine Motel. Essential for understanding the movement, Dr. King, and the American struggle for justice.
Cheapest price on Sep 18
$80
Average ticket price on Sep 18
$81
Fastest journey on Sep 18
7 h 6 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
7 h 6 m
Trains on Sep 18
2
Distance
504 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Mattoon, IL to Memphis, TN 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 Memphis, TN will cost around $81 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $80.
On Fri, Sep 18, we found 2 trains from Mattoon, IL to Memphis, TN, including 2 direct services.
On Fri, Sep 18 the direct trains cover the 504 km distance in an average of 7 h 6 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 6 m .
On Fri, Sep 18 the slowest trains will take 7 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 Mattoon, IL to Memphis, TN among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $93 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 59m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $93, while a flight costs an average of $670.
Distance: 313 miles (504 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$93 Average price Cheapest | $670 Average price | $72 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 34m Average total duration 7h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 59m Average total duration Fastest 3h 59m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 2m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Mattoon, IL to Memphis, TN:
A train is $577 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Mattoon, IL to Memphis, TN costing on average $670.
Other travel options to Memphis, TN take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 4m.
Tickets start at around $93 compared to roughly $72 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-20.49. The journey takes 7h 4m versus 5h 2m 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 Mattoon, IL to Memphis, TN trains for tomorrow, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:36 AM Mattoon, IL | 7h06 | 11:42 AM Memphis, TN | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:36 AM Mattoon, IL | 7h06 | 12:42 PM Memphis, TN | 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 Memphis, TN run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $65 if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 22:40, the last at 23:36. The fastest train covers the 313 miles (504 km) distance in 7h 0m.
Distance 313 miles (504 km) |
Average train duration 7h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $65 |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 7h 0m |
First train 10:40 PM |
Last train 11:36 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Memphis, TN — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Memphis, TN trip today.
World-class civil rights museum at the Lorraine Motel. Essential for understanding the movement, Dr. King, and the American struggle for justice.
Major museum of Memphis music history inside a former recording studio. A must for soul, blues, and rock fans exploring the city's sound.
Interactive museum on Stax Records and Southern soul legends. Worth visiting for Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and immersive music storytelling.
Memphis's legendary entertainment street, famous for live music, neon, and history. A classic walk for atmosphere, nightlife, and cultural identity.
Mississippi riverfront park with broad lawns, monuments, and skyline views. Ideal for an easy walk and classic river scenery.
Large urban park with old-growth forest, trails, playgrounds, and zoo access. Excellent for nature, families, and a break from downtown.
Memphis-style pork ribs are slow-smoked over hardwood, usually served dry-rubbed or lightly sauced. They are the city’s most iconic barbecue tradition.
Pulled pork shoulder is smoked until tender, chopped or shredded, and often topped with slaw. It is a staple of Memphis barbecue joints.
Barbecue spaghetti mixes smoked pork, tomato-based sauce, and spaghetti. This quirky Memphis specialty reflects the city’s barbecue creativity.
Beloved traditional barbecue spot famous for pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, and barbecue spaghetti. Casual and deeply tied to Memphis food culture.
Historic fine dining destination serving refined Southern cuisine and an acclaimed brunch. Elegant setting inside a former mansion in Midtown.
Long-running Memphis institution for fried chicken and Southern sides. Bustling, family-friendly atmosphere with a strong local following.
Moderate for U.S. city breaks: hotels and dining are generally below New York or Miami, while car, rideshare, and attraction costs can add up.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, more for great service. Taxis usually 10-15%. Cafes often have tip jars or card prompts; small tips are appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Mattoon, IL to Memphis, TN 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 Memphis, TN, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Mattoon, IL to Memphis, TN trains use the Mattoon Amtrak Station to Memphis Central Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Mattoon, IL and Memphis, TN 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.
Memphis Central Station is 2 km from Memphis city centre. Public transport options include:
Memphis Central Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Central BBQ, Arcade Restaurant
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Memphis Central Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Memphis Central Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Memphis Central Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Memphis Central Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Memphis Central Station: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include The Central Station Memphis, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hotel Napoleon, The Peabody Memphis.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need