5.0
Pros: See my family nice natural scenarios. Tips: Bus was prompt to arrive not too crawded Economic.
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There are usually 3 daily train trips from Carbondale to St Louis.
Coach | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceUS$41.78 | Avg. PriceUS$189.91 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration2h 1m | Duration16h 49m |
There is one daily coach from Carbondale to St Louis. Traveling by coach from Carbondale to St Louis usually takes around 2 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway coach can make the trip in just one hour,
| Distance | 82 mi (132 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 0m |
| Cheapest price | US$18.48 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Coach lines | 2 |

Average score for coaches from Carbondale to St Louis
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: See my family nice natural scenarios. Tips: Bus was prompt to arrive not too crawded Economic.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Carbondale to St Louis that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 2h 0m | US$45.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 2h 10m | US$26.53 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Carbondale to St Louis start at US$45. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 1 trips per day from Carbondale to St Louis, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
The coach takes an average of 2 hours to cover the 82 miles from Carbondale to St Louis. However, the fastest coach only takes an hour. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Friday is the busiest travel day for coaches as people head from Carbondale to St Louis for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the coach, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
There is usually only one coach per day from Carbondale to St Louis. It leaves the station in Carbondale at 03:00 each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
There is usually only one coach per day from Carbondale to St Louis. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct coach, meaning that you do not have to get on a different coach at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Carbondale to St Louis; ticket prices start at US$62.00.
Carbondale, one the best vacation destinations in Illinois, is best known for its proximity to Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the Gods: one of the most Instagrammed sites in the state. This quiet paradise is filled with lush trees bordering miles of hiking trails and scenic drives. The enormous sandstone bluffs in Giant City State Park attract rock climbers and rappellers looking for their next adventure. Boo Rochman Memorial Park offers a unique, family-friendly experience– a park filled with wooden sculptures of dragons, unicorns, wizards, and more. The park’s centerpiece, a massive wood and stone castle, features an elaborate jungle gym with stairs, tunnels, and an ogre or two.
Threaded by Main Street, downtown Carbondale is known for its Historic Town Square and charming, old-school architecture. The whole area is easily walkable, so you can peruse local shops for bike gear, art, vintage clothes, musical instruments, and everything in between. The SIU University Museum is a must-see, with no entry fee and a variety of exhibitions about the history and culture of the region. While in the area, explore Campus Lake and Pulliam Hall clocktower, or catch a football game at Saluki Stadium.
Bus services connect Seattle, Chicago, and Phoenix to Carbondale. Amtrak has multiple lines from the city to Memphis, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The nearest airport is Marion Williamson County Regional.

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

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.
Most coaches depart from the main station in Carbondale.
401 S Illinois Ave

Image credit: Chris Yunker
Link to image attributionGateway 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.
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.