- 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
$167
Average price
$247
Fastest journey
1 d 10 h 19 m
Average duration
1 d 13 h 55 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
2022 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL will cost around $247 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $167.
Of the 2 trains that leave Salt Lake City, UT for Chicago, IL on Wed, Jun 17, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 17 the direct trains cover the 2022 km distance in an average of 1 d 13 h 55 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 10 h 19 m .
On Wed, Jun 17 the slowest trains will take 1 d 17 h 31 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $122. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 56m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $122, and a flight costs an average of $177.
Distance: 1256 miles (2022 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$324 Average price | $213 Average price Cheapest | $394 Average price | $295 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
34h 49m Average total duration 34h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 32h 39m Average total duration 32h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 56m Average total duration Fastest 3h 56m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 20h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $110 (€89) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL costing on average $324 (€262).
A bus is $181 (€146) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL costing on average $394 (€319).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 32h 9m.
Train takes on average 34h 19m.
Tickets start at around $324 (€262) compared to roughly $295 (€239) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-28.79 (€-23.33). The journey takes 34h 19m versus 20h 17m 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL trains for today, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 California Zephyr · 382 Carl Sandburg | 3:20 AM Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT | 41h31 | 9:51 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
6 California Zephyr | 3:20 AM Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT | 34h19 | 2:39 PM Chicago Union Station, 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL run on average 2 times per day, taking around 34h 19m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $115 (€93) if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:20, the last at 18:00. The fastest train covers the 1256 miles (2022 km) distance in 34h 19m.
Distance 1256 miles (2022 km) |
Average train duration 34h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price $115 (€93) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 34h 19m |
First train 3:20 AM |
Last train 6:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 7 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.
Major natural history museum known for Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, and large family-friendly science exhibits.
Large hands-on science museum in Hyde Park with a U-505 submarine, aviation exhibits, and immersive interactive displays.
Chicago’s signature public space, home to Cloud Gate and major events, with strong appeal for first-time visitors and photographers.
Scenic pedestrian route along the Chicago River, popular for architecture views, strolling, and social-media-friendly city scenes.
Famous stretch of North Michigan Avenue known for landmark architecture, flagship stores, and busy big-city energy.
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 by U.S. big-city standards. Hotels can be pricey downtown, but food and transit offer good value.
Tip 18-20% at sit-down restaurants; 20%+ for great service. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and USD 1-2 per bag for hotel staff.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salt Lake City, UT 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need