The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA
Cheapest price
$292
Average price
$473
Fastest journey
1 d 19 h 32 m
Average duration
2 d 8 h 6 m
Trains per day
8
Distance
2802 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, 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 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA will cost around $473 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $292.
Of the 8 trains that leave Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL for Union Station, Los Angeles, CA on Wed, May 06, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, May 06 the direct trains cover the 2802 km distance in an average of 2 d 8 h 6 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 19 h 32 m .
On Wed, May 06 the slowest trains will take 3 d 4 h 10 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.
3 Southwest Chief2:25 PM43h32Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$2921One-way0 transfers
319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner · 3 Southwest Chief9:50 AM48h07Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3091One-way1 transfer
381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief7:40 AM50h17Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3101One-way1 transfer
5 California Zephyr · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK2:00 PM62h25Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL2:25 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$4251One-way2 transfers
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight · 3810 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner3:05 PM76h10Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL5:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$6101One-way4 transfers
3 Southwest Chief2:25 PM43h32Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$2921One-way0 transfers
319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner · 3 Southwest Chief9:50 AM48h07Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3091One-way1 transfer
381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief7:40 AM50h17Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL7:57 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$3101One-way1 transfer
5 California Zephyr · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK2:00 PM62h25Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL2:25 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$4251One-way2 transfers
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight · 3810 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner3:05 PM76h10Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL5:15 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$6101One-way4 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $55. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 53m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $55, and a train costs an average of $166.
Distance: 1741 miles (2802 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$326 Average price | $283 Average price | $226 Average price Cheapest |
50h 1m Average total duration 49h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 44h 50m Average total duration 44h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 53m Average total duration Fastest 4h 53m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA trains for today, Tuesday, May 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:40 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 50h17 | 3:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:52 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 65h43 | 1:35 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:00 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 62h15 | 10:15 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:25 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 43h32 | 3:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 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 Union Station, Los Angeles, 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.
May 06
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA
Trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA run on average 9 times per day, taking around 49h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $166 (€133) but you can travel from only $55 (€44) by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 13:15, the last at 20:25. The fastest train covers the 1741 miles (2802 km) distance in 43h 32m.
Distance 1741 miles (2802 km) |
Average train duration 49h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price $166 (€133) |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 43h 32m |
First train 1:15 PM |
Last train 8:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Train companies: Amtrak from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and Union Station, Los Angeles, CA from $55 (€44). 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 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, 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 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, 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
- 4:30 AM - 1:00 AM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via Vignes Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue.
- Traxx Restaurant
- Union Station Cafe
- Philippe The Original
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, restrooms.
- $1
- DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown
- Miyako Hotel Los Angeles
- Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
- Cost $10
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: Main entrance, platforms for Amtrak and Metrolink
- Hall 2: Metro Rail connections
- Hall 3: Bus terminal
- Metro: Red Line, Purple Line, Gold Line
- Bus: Several lines available including DASH and Metro Bus


