The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL
Cheapest price
$362
Average price
$362
Fastest journey
1 d 18 h 50 m
Average duration
1 d 18 h 50 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
933 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL will cost around $362 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $362.
Of the 1 trains that leave Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL for Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL on Thu, May 14, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, May 14 the direct trains cover the 933 km distance in an average of 1 d 18 h 50 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 18 h 50 m .
On Thu, May 14 the slowest trains will take 1 d 18 h 50 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.
10:55 PM42h50Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL5:45 PMBirmingham Station, Birmingham, AL$3621One-way0 transfers
10:55 PM42h50Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL5:45 PMBirmingham Station, Birmingham, AL$3621One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $127. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 3m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $127, and a train costs an average of $280.
Distance: 579 miles (933 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$434 Average price | $172 Average price Cheapest | $358 Average price | $130 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
42h 50m Average total duration 42h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 16h 5m Average total duration 15h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 3m Average total duration Fastest 2h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 10h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL:
A bus is $186 (€149) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL costing on average $358 (€287).
A bus is $262 (€210) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL costing on average $434 (€348).
Other travel options to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL take longer:
Bus takes on average 15h 35m.
Train takes on average 42h 20m.
Tickets start at around $434 (€348) compared to roughly $130 (€104) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-304.31 (€-244.06). The journey takes 42h 20m versus 10h 5m 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.
Live departures
Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL train times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL trains for today, Wednesday, May 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:40 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 42h05 | 5:45 PM Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL by bus, train, or flight
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.
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL
Trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL run on average 1 times per day, taking around 42h 20m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $280 (€225) but you can travel from only $127 (€102) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 22:55, the last at 23:40. The fastest train covers the 579 miles (933 km) distance in 42h 5m.
Distance 579 miles (933 km) |
Average train duration 42h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $280 (€225) |
Trains per day 1 |
Fastest train 42h 5m |
First train 10:55 PM |
Last train 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
FAQs: Trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL 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 Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Birmingham Station, Birmingham, AL
- 5:00 AM - 12:00 AM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Departures can be made outside of opening hours. Access via Canal Street.
- The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
- Lou Mitchell's
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- The Kimpton Gray Hotel
- JW Marriott Chicago
- W Chicago - City Center
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, Amtrak services
- Hall 2: Metra services
- Hall 3: food court and retail shops
- Bus: Several lines available
- CTA: Blue Line, Pink Line
- 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- Outside the main entrance.
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Bus: Several local bus lines available
