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St Louis to Chicago train

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St Louis - Chicago Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are 6 daily trains from St Louis to Chicago. Traveling by train from St Louis to Chicago usually takes around 6 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Lincoln Service train can make the trip in 5 hours and 9 minutes.

Distance262 mi (422 km)
Fastest train5h 9m
Lowest price$33.94
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Lincoln Service
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from St Louis to Chicago

(Based on 55 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Sarah

January 16, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Texas Eagle

Pros: It came early. Cons: n/a. Tips: bring an umbrella.

Pros: It came early. Cons: n/a. Tips: bring an umbrella.

5.0

Marie

October 22, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Texas Eagle

It was comfortable

It was comfortable

5.0

Javier

September 10, 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Texas Eagle

Pros: The staff were incredible you should pay them more. Cons: Pay the employees more, they deserve it. Tips: Bring a book.

Pros: The staff were incredible you should pay them more. Cons: Pay the employees more, they deserve it. Tips: Bring a book.

5.0

Joseph

August 21, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: Got to see 2 live bands that I'm a big fan of. My friend who lives in the area was letting me stay with her and show me around for the weekend. Had a great time. Cons: The seats were a bit uncomfortable and WiFi signal was not even useable. I understand there is ...

Pros: Got to see 2 live bands that I'm a big fan of. My friend who lives in the area was letting me stay with her and show me around for the weekend. Had a great time. Cons: The seats were a bit uncomfortable and WiFi signal was not even useable. I understand there is a lot of traffic on the freely provided internet, but you guys should account for that and get more routers then. Tips: Bring a device to watch media on or play games to pass the time. Download anything you can on your home WIFI before your trip. The WIFI on the train was not good at all, I couldn't even use it was just too slow.

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4.0

Salky

July 16, 2022- Couples trip

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: The quietness. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Seat back enjoy.

Pros: The quietness. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Seat back enjoy.

St Louis to Chicago Route Map

St Louis Chicago

Train service from St Louis to Chicago

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What is the price of a train ticket from St Louis to Chicago?

The average price for a train ticket to Chicago is $53.93, Traveling by train on this route is one of the most affordable ways to hit the road from St Louis. Wanderu ensures that you find great deals on train tickets everytime, we search all of the best train options to present you the lowest prices available from our partner carriers.

Average prices by travel date

$102$68$34MarApr

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from St Louis to Chicago will vary between C$49 and C$91. Planning a train trip to Chicago within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from St Louis over the next 7 days is C$58. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Monthly average prices

$68$54$41$27$14AMJJASONDJFM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from St Louis to Chicago by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for February. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$48 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from St Louis to Chicago in December, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$61 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$102$81$61$41$203020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Chicago from St Louis will be about C$31.22 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from St Louis to Chicago?

There are 3 train lines with service from St Louis to Chicago. Amtrak Lincoln Service is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 3 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak28h 25m$87.97
Amtrak Lincoln Service35h 20m$53.53
Amtrak Texas Eagle15h 49m$96.54

  • Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 2 Amtrak trains from St Louis to Chicago every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $34.

  • Amtrak Lincoln Service is part of Amtrak's Illinois Service, providing rail transportation throughout Illinois. The Lincoln Service travels 284 miles between St. Louis and Chicago with nine intermediate stops. Amtrak Lincoln trains offer WiFi connectivity, power outlets, business class seating, and a cafe car to ensure passengers have the most comfortable journey possible.

  • The Amtrak Texas Eagle is a 1,306-mile train route from Chicago, Illinois to San Antonio, Texas. Because of the route’s length, the train offers sleeper car options in addition to standard coach seats. Like most Amtrak trains, the Texas Eagle features power outlets at each seat, restrooms in each car, and a cafe car where passengers can purchase food and drinks. A journey from St Louis to Chicago on the Texas Eagle usually takes 5 hours and 49 minutes, which is best spent enjoying the incredible scenery along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traveling by train and traveling by bus from St. Louis to Chicago both have their perks. The average travel time on each mode of transportation is about 5 hours 30 minutes, making that a wash, but there are a few distinct differences.

While traveling by train tends to be a more comfortable option, bus tickets are typically cheaper. Train tickets from St. Louis to Chicago average about $30, whereas bus tickets cost an average of $15.

The other main point of comparison is the number of options per day. There are 5 daily trains that cover this route, all of which are direct. By bus there are 22 daily trips, but only 5 of them are direct.

There are 5 trains per day that go from St. Louis to Chicago, serviced by 2 different Amtrak lines: the Amtrak Lincoln Service and the Amtrak Texas Eagle.

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from St Louis to Chicago. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between St Louis and Chicago is approximately 262 miles, or 422 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 22 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 9 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.

"Thursday is usually the day of the week when trains are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for train travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your train travel for the beginning of the week."

The earliest train departs St Louis at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. 5 of these are direct connections to Chicago. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Chicago to St Louis.

City Information

St Louis

St. Louis, MO - STL-0

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis, MO - STL-1

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis, MO - STL-2

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.

Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.

Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.

The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.

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 neighborhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theater, 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 St Louis?

Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St - STLAMT-0

Image credit: Chris Yunker

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Gateway Station opened in 2008 to consolidate St Louis’ transportation services into one central hub. The station’s award-winning design includes a pedestrian walkway with expansive colored glass windows overlooking the train tracks. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown St Louis, the station is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and hotels and is just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and the iconic Gateway Arch. Amenities inside the station include free Wifi, a food court, and a lounge for Amtrak’s First Class passengers. Gateway Station is a major stop for intercity bus service, several Amtrak train lines, and the city’s MetroLink which can connect you with the St Louis Lambert International Airport in just 30 minutes.

All train stations in St Louis:

  • Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Where is the train station in Chicago?

Chicago, IL - Union Station - CHIUST-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

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.

Train stations in Chicago:

  • Union Station

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