The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA
Cheapest price
$280
Average price
$430
Fastest journey
2 d 3 h 5 m
Average duration
2 d 8 h 41 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
2879 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA 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 Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA will cost around $430 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $280.
Of the 3 trains that leave Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL for Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA on Thu, Apr 16, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Apr 16 the direct trains cover the 2879 km distance in an average of 2 d 8 h 41 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 d 3 h 5 m .
On Thu, Apr 16 the slowest trains will take 2 d 17 h 23 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.
8:00 PM51h05Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL11:05 PMSacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA$2801One-way0 transfers
8:25 PM53h35Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL2:00 AMSacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA$4541One-way0 transfers
9:05 PM65h23Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL2:28 PMSacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA$5541One-way0 transfers
8:00 PM51h05Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL11:05 PMSacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA$2801One-way0 transfers
8:25 PM53h35Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL2:00 AMSacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA$4541One-way0 transfers
9:05 PM65h23Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL2:28 PMSacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA$5541One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $110. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 22m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $110, and a flight costs an average of $249.
Distance: 1788 miles (2879 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$348 Average price | $298 Average price Cheapest | $519 Average price |
53h 24m Average total duration 52h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 57h 40m Average total duration 57h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 22m Average total duration Fastest 5h 22m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA trains for today, Wednesday, April 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr | 12:40 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 57h25 | 10:05 PM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 1 transfer | |
5 California Zephyr | 7:00 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 51h05 | 10:05 PM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
3 Southwest Chief · 5817 AMTRAK · 717 Gold Runner · 3817 AMTRAK | 7:25 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 55h30 | 2:55 AM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 3 transfers | |
3 Southwest Chief · 5817 AMTRAK · 717 Gold Runner · 3717 AMTRAK | 7:25 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 55h25 | 2:50 AM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 3 transfers | |
3 Southwest Chief · 14 Coast Starlight | 7:25 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 59h24 | 6:49 AM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 1 transfer | |
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight | 8:05 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 65h23 | 1:28 PM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 1 transfer | |
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 Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA by train, bus, or flight
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.
Apr 16
Apr 17
Apr 18
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Apr 21
Apr 22
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA
Trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA run on average 9 times per day, taking around 52h 54m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $158 (€126) but you can travel from only $110 (€87) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 13:40, the last at 21:05. The fastest train covers the 1788 miles (2879 km) distance in 51h 5m.
Distance 1788 miles (2879 km) |
Average train duration 52h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $158 (€126) |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 51h 5m |
First train 1:40 PM |
Last train 9:05 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Train companies: Amtrak from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA from $110 (€87). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA 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 Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA
- 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 - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available 24/7 with both short-term and long-term options.
- The Firehouse Restaurant
- Ten22
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- $1
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
- Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown - Arena
- Kimpton Sawyer Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- 60 places, covered
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a main hall with ticketing and waiting areas, platforms are accessible via a concourse.
- Light Rail: Blue Line, Gold Line
- Bus: Several lines available including local and regional buses
