Cheap train tickets from Detroit to Chicago
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Detroit to Chicago. Travelling by train from Detroit to Chicago usually takes 5 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Wolverine train can make the trip in 5 hours and 6 minutes.
- Distance
- 237 mi (381 km)
- Fastest train
- 5h 6m
- Lowest price
- CHF 33.41
- Trains per day
- 3
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak Wolverine
- Train lines
- 2
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Detroit to Chicago Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Detroit to Chicago?
There are usually 16 daily bus trips available from Detroit to Chicago.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceCHF 60.42 | Avg. PriceCHF 51.19Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips16 |
Duration | Duration5h 24mFaster | Duration7h 35m |

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Detroit to Chicago (Based on 41 ratings and reviews)
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Detroit to Chicago Route Map

There are several train options that can take you from Detroit to Chicago:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Detroit to Chicago?
In the last month, train tickets from Detroit to Chicago cost about CHF 53 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 11 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CHF 16.83 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Chicago by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Detroit to Chicago will cost between CHF 34 and CHF 101. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Chicago by month
Ticket prices for the train from Detroit to Chicago often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only CHF 52. If you're thinking of travelling from Detroit to Chicago during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 64 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Detroit to Chicago on Wanderu at least 11 days ahead of time, you can save about CHF 16.83 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Detroit to Chicago?
2 train services operate from Detroit to Chicago. Amtrak Wolverine usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 5h 16m | CHF 33.41 |
| Amtrak Wolverine | 3 | 5h 24m | CHF 60.45 |
The Amtrak Wolverine provides rail service from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan, and offers 3 trips per day. Each train features amenities such as a cafe car and onboard WiFi. The average ticket price from Detroit to Chicago on the Wolverine is CHF 60.45, but you can find deals for as low as CHF 33.41.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Detroit to Chicago
Yes, there are some trains that travel the entire distance from Detroit to Chicago. However, in some cases you will have to take a bus for part of your journey in addition to taking the train.
There are 3 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Detroit to Chicago. You can also take a train for your return trip from Chicago to Detroit. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Detroit to Chicago for CHF 26.
Trains per day
3
Direct trains
3
The distance between Detroit and Chicago is approximately 381 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 24 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 6 minutes. Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Distance (mi)
237
Distance (km)
381
The earliest train departs Detroit at 6:26 a.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 6:16 p.m. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
6:26am
Last train
6:16pm
Trains from Detroit to Chicago are the most crowded on Monday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Monday
Least crowded
Friday
Renaissance faires at both ends of the Detroit–Chicago line
Chicago is the practical base for the Bristol Renaissance Faire, which runs weekends from July 11 to September 7 just over the Illinois line at Kenosha, Wisconsin — closer to Chicago than to Milwaukee, and reachable on Metra or Amtrak's Hiawatha. At the Detroit end, the Michigan Renaissance Festival holds its Holly grounds from August 22 to October 4. Both are in our finder — Bristol under renaissance faires in Wisconsin, since Kenosha sits over the state line — with every other faire in the country.
City Information
Detroit



Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travellers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.
As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favourite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.
The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travellers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.
Chicago



Known for its innovative architecture, cultural contributions to jazz and house music, and of course that irresistible deep-dish pizza, the many sights and experiences in Chicago make it one of the best urban vacation destinations for millennials and a top destination in Illinois.
You can't beat the views of the city and Lake Michigan from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower; at over 1,300 feet, this is the highest observation deck in the U.S. Snap that classic selfie with the Bean in Millennium Park, then wander the many museums in nearby Grant Park. Navy Pier is a popular tourist hotspot for its parks, restaurants, and attractions right on Lake Michigan, and baseball fans will find paradise in Wrigleyville, home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and sports bars galore.
Chicago's enormous parks offer plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in gorgeous urban settings. Many companies offer kayak rentals or boat tours on the Chicago River, with special tours running on Saint Patrick's Day, when the entire river is dyed green. When you’re ready to buy some souvenirs from your epic trip, hit the big brand stores on the Magnificent Mile, or shop local in neighbourhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theatre, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.
Chicago is one of the biggest transportation hubs in the Midwest, and provides easy access to nearby destinations ideal for day trips, as well as international travel from two airports. Thanks to plenty of bus and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Detroit?
Main departure station: 11 W Baltimore Ave

Detroit’s Amtrak station connects Motor City with the nation’s rail network via three daily trains on the Amtrak Wolverine, which runs from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan. Bus service on Miller Transportation also operates from the Amtrak Station on 11 W Baltimore Avenue, and from the adjacent platform, travellers can connect to the QLine streetcar system. The station’s amenities include clean washrooms, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighbourhood, the Amtrak station is surrounded by various restaurants and is one block away from the historic landmark, Cadillac Place.
All train stations in Detroit:
- 11 W Baltimore Ave
Where is the train station in Chicago?
Main arrival station: Union Station


The historic Chicago Union Station is the United States' third busiest train station and a hub for 15 Amtrak train lines with destinations throughout the country. The station also serves bus carriers like Greyhound, Indian Trails and Jefferson Lines, and offers connections to Metra commuter lines. Union Station is also just a quick walk to the nearest Chicago L lines. The current station was built in 1925, to replace the original one dating back to 1881, and today wows visitors with its impressive facade, massive columns, and opulent Great Hall. Located right in downtown and adjacent to the Chicago Loop, Union Station is equipped with many services and amenities, including phone charging stations, shops, and various food and drink options.
All train stations in Chicago:
- Union Station
Need a return trip from Chicago to Detroit?
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