- 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
$48
Average price
$48
Fastest journey
6 h 12 m
Average duration
6 h 12 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
391 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Shelby, MI 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 Shelby, MI to Chicago, IL will cost around $48 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $48.
Of the 1 trains that leave Shelby, MI for Chicago, IL on Sat, Jul 11, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jul 11 the direct trains cover the 391 km distance in an average of 6 h 12 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 6 h 12 m .
On Sat, Jul 11 the slowest trains will take 6 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 Shelby, MI to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $48. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 31m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $48, and a flight costs an average of $334.
Distance: 242 miles (391 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$59 Average price Cheapest | $68 Average price | $370 Average price | $60 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 22m Average total duration 5h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 19m Average total duration 6h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 31m Average total duration Fastest 1h 31m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 47m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Shelby, MI to Chicago, IL:
A train is $9 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Shelby, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $68 (€56).
A train is $311 (€255) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Shelby, MI to Chicago, IL costing on average $370 (€304).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 52m.
Bus takes on average 6h 49m.
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 Shelby, MI to Chicago, IL trains for today, Friday, July 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:43 AM Shelby, MI | 5h49 | 4:32 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:28 PM Shelby, MI | 6h12 | 3:40 AM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Shelby, MI to Chicago, IL run on average 9 times per day, taking around 5h 52m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $48 (€40) if you book in advance.
There are 9 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:45, the last at 17:50. The fastest train covers the 242 miles (391 km) distance in 5h 49m.
Distance 242 miles (391 km) |
Average train duration 5h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price $48 (€40) |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 9 |
Fastest train 5h 49m |
First train 6:45 AM |
Last train 5:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
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 Shelby, MI 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 Shelby, MI to Chicago, IL trains use the Troy Transit Center to Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Shelby, MI and Chicago, IL train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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