The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA
Cheapest price
$240
Average price
$382
Fastest journey
1 d 19 h 32 m
Average duration
2 d 7 h 56 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 $382 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $240.
Of the 8 trains that leave Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL for Union Station, Los Angeles, CA on Thu, Nov 13, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Nov 13 the direct trains cover the 2802 km distance in an average of 2 d 7 h 56 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 19 h 32 m .
On Thu, Nov 13 the slowest trains will take 3 d 3 h 30 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 Chief
381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief
319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner · 3 Southwest Chief
5 California Zephyr · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight
3 Southwest Chief
319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner · 3 Southwest Chief
381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief
5 California Zephyr · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight · 3710 AMTRAK · 710 Gold RunnerTravel 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 €52. 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 €52, and a train costs an average of €134.
Distance: 1741 miles (2802 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€231 Average price | €214 Average price | €171 Average price Cheapest |
51h 46m Average total duration 51h 16m 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 tomorrow, Thursday, November 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief | 1:40 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 50h17 | 3:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner · 3 Southwest Chief | 3:50 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 48h07 | 3:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
5 California Zephyr · 718 Gold Runner · 5818 AMTRAK | 8:00 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 62h15 | 10:15 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2 transfers | |
3 Southwest Chief | 8:25 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 43h32 | 3:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight · 3710 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner | 9:05 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 75h30 | 12:35 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 4 transfers | |
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight | 9:05 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 80h06 | 5:11 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight · 3810 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner | 9:05 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 75h30 | 12:35 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 4 transfers | |
27 Empire Builder · 11 Coast Starlight · 3810 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner | 9:05 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 75h30 | 12:35 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 4 transfers | |
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.
Nov 13
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Nov 18
Nov 19
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 8 times per day, taking around 51h 16m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $165 (€134) but you can travel from only $64 (€52) by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 12:40, the last at 19:25. The fastest train covers the 1741 miles (2802 km) distance in 43h 32m.
Distance 1741 miles (2802 km) |
Average train duration 51h 16m |
Cheapest ticket price $165 (€134) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 43h 32m |
First train 12:40 |
Last train 19:25 |
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 $64 (€52). 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


