The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT
Cheapest price
$1522
Average price
$1543
Fastest journey
1 d 10 h 15 m
Average duration
1 d 13 h 25 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
2024 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT will cost around $1543 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $1522.
Of the 2 trains that leave Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL for Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT on Sat, Jun 20, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct trains cover the 2024 km distance in an average of 1 d 13 h 25 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 10 h 15 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest trains will take 1 d 16 h 35 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.
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr7:40 AM40h35Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL11:15 PMSalt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT$15221One-way1 transfer
5 California Zephyr2:00 PM34h15Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL11:15 PMSalt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT$15641One-way0 transfers
5 California Zephyr2:00 PM34h15Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL11:15 PMSalt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT$15641One-way0 transfers
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr7:40 AM40h35Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL11:15 PMSalt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT$15221One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $105. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $105, and a train costs an average of $200.
Distance: 1257 miles (2024 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$602 Average price | $402 Average price | $192 Average price Cheapest | $292 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
34h 43m Average total duration 34h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 45m Average total duration Fastest 4h 45m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 36h 58m Average total duration 36h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 20h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT:
A bus is $210 (€172) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT costing on average $402 (€329).
A bus is $410 (€336) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT costing on average $602 (€493).
Other travel options to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT take longer:
Train takes on average 34h 13m.
Bus takes on average 36h 28m.
Tickets start at around $602 (€493) compared to roughly $292 (€240) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-309.38 (€-253.42). The journey takes 34h 13m versus 20h 18m 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 Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT train times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT trains for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 California Zephyr | 2:00 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 34h15 | 11:15 PM Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
381 Carl Sandburg · 5 California Zephyr | 7:40 AM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 40h35 | 11:15 PM Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT | 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 Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT 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.
Jun 20
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Jun 26
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT
Trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT run on average 2 times per day, taking around 34h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $200 (€164) but you can travel from only $105 (€86) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 12:40, the last at 22:00. The fastest train covers the 1257 miles (2024 km) distance in 34h 15m.
Distance 1257 miles (2024 km) |
Average train duration 34h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price $200 (€164) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 34h 15m |
First train 12:40 PM |
Last train 10:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Train companies: Amtrak from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT from $105 (€86). 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 Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT
- 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
- Parking is available at the station, with spaces for both short-term and long-term parking
- The Gateway
- Red Iguana
- Outside the main entrance
- Ramps, restrooms
- $0.50
- Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Downtown
- Courtyard by Marriott Salt Lake City Downtown
- Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-2 for Amtrak and FrontRunner trains
- Hall 2: TRAX light rail connections
- Light Rail: TRAX Blue Line, TRAX Green Line
- Bus: Several UTA bus lines available
Most popular train connections from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Salt Lake Central Station, Salt Lake City, UT
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