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4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of €57 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 29m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €57, while a flight costs an average of €275.
Distance: 297 miles (478 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€57 Average price Cheapest | €81 Average price | €275 Average price | €57 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 0m Average total duration 5h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 7m Average total duration 9h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 29m Average total duration Fastest 1h 29m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare ways to travel from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL
Compare the available ways to get from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL:
A train is €25 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL costing on average €81.
A train is €219 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL costing on average €275.
Other travel options to Carbondale, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 0m.
Bus takes on average 10h 7m.
Tickets start at around €57 compared to roughly €57 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €1. The journey takes 5h 30m versus 4h 49m 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.
Travel optionsfrom Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL
How to get from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
10:30 PM 9h05 Chicago, IL 7:35 AM Carbondale, IL €78 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
10:30 PM 9h05 Chicago, IL 7:35 AM Carbondale, IL €78 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
10:15 PM 8h20 Chicago, IL 6:35 AM Carbondale, IL €86 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
9:30 PM 9h05 Chicago, IL 6:35 AM Carbondale, IL €91 1 One-way 0 transfers
4:00 PM 20h55 Chicago, IL 12:55 PM Carbondale, IL €150 1 One-way 0 transfers7:45 PM 16h10 Chicago, IL 11:55 AM Carbondale, IL €164 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare train and bus 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.
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FAQs: Travel from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL
Travel to Carbondale, IL easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL.
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL:
A train is €25 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL costing on average €81.
A train is €219 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL costing on average €275.
Other travel options to Carbondale, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 0m.
Bus takes on average 10h 7m.
- Around 4 trains per day.
- Around 2 flights per day.
- Around 2 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Chicago, IL and Carbondale, IL as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from O'Hare International Airport and arrive in Marion.
- Trains mostly depart from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and arrive in Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL.
- Buses mostly depart from Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station and arrive in Carbondale, Amtrak Train Station.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Carbondale, IL by train.
- Travel with skywest airlines to go to Carbondale, IL by flight.
- Travel with FlixBus, Greyhound to go to Carbondale, IL by bus.
- 3 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 2 direct flights per day with skywest airlines.
Travelling from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL: related information
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