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Search train tickets to Chicago
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How to get to Chicago by train
- Routes
- 257
- Trips per day
- 820
- train lines
- 19
- Stations
- 1
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About 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 holiday 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 transport 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 coach and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.
Station Information
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 coach 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.
Popular train stations in Chicago:
- Union Station
What train companies travel to Chicago, IL?
Located in Illinois, Chicago is accessible by train from 257 other cities. You can choose from 820 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to Chicago on Wanderu. Amtrak usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Coach tickets to Chicago are also available.
Train companies serving Chicago
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 472 | 1 day, 7 hrs, 52 mins | €210.61 |
| Amtrak Lake Shore Limited | 24 | 11 hrs, 26 mins | €139.51 |
| Amtrak Wolverine | 14 | 4 hrs, 21 mins | €54.66 |
| Amtrak Empire Builder | 36 | 13 hrs, 14 mins | €174.02 |
| Amtrak Texas Eagle | 34 | 17 hrs, 40 mins | €177.16 |
| Amtrak Hiawatha | 3 | 1 hr, 15 mins | €21.11 |
| Amtrak Floridian | 43 | 19 hrs, 31 mins | €121.86 |
| Amtrak Lincoln Service | 9 | 3 hrs, 19 mins | €34.20 |
| Amtrak City of New Orleans | 19 | 8 hrs, 2 mins | €91.71 |
| Amtrak Southwest Chief | 27 | 21 hrs, 2 mins | €156.15 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railway 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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey.
The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited is an overnight train that runs along some of the best shorelines in the U.S., connecting New York City and Boston with Chicago. The service provides top-tier amenities to its passengers, including free WiFi and dining onboard.
The Amtrak Wolverine provides rail service from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan. Each train features amenities such as a cafe car and onboard WiFi.
The Amtrak Empire Builder is a long-distance passenger rail service that has been in operation since 1929. The full 2,200-mile route takes 45 hours to connect Chicago with the Pacific Northwest. Don’t let the length of the trip intimidate you; the Empire Builder is one of Amtrak’s most popular services, and often rated as the most scenic train route in the country. The sightseer lounge, home to enormous windows, is the perfect place to drink in the incredible views of the Mississippi River, the North Dakota Plains, Glacier National Park, and the Columbia River Gorge. Overnight trips on the Empire Builder include the option to book sleeper cabins, for a more comfortable journey and included meals. All passengers can purchase meals or snacks in the cafe car.
Amtrak Texas Eagle is a train service operated by Amtrak that connects to Texas. It links Chicago with the heart of the Lone Star State in San Antonio, going to cities such as St. Louis and Dallas. Onboard amenities include toilets, power sockets, complimentary WiFi, and a designated restaurant car with full meals.
Since 1971, the Amtrak Hiawatha Service has operated along an 86-mile track from Milwaukee to Chicago. Amtrak Hiawatha offers a fast connection between the two cities, with an average journey time of only 90 minutes. Each train comes equipped with onboard WiFi and checked luggage options. Unfortunately, there is no cafe car onboard, so pack snacks if travelling makes you hangry.
Amtrak Lincoln Service is part of Amtrak's Illinois Service, providing rail transport throughout Illinois. The Lincoln Service travels 284 miles between St. Louis and Chicago with nine intermediate stops. Amtrak Lincoln trains offer WiFi connectivity, power sockets, business class seating, and a cafe car to ensure passengers have the most comfortable journey possible.
The City of New Orleans is an Amtrak route that runs daily trains from Chicago to New Orleans and vice versa. The City of New Orleans includes a sightseer lounge with panoramic windows for the best views of the five states along the route. However, the City of New Orleans also offers private roomettes and bedrooms for added comfort and luxury (and a higher price). Passengers who book sleeper accommodations will enjoy included meals, and all passengers can stop into the cafe car to purchase meals and snacks.
The Southwest Chief is a passenger train operated by America’s largest train service, Amtrak. The full route travels over 2,200 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, which takes over 43 hours. In addition to standard Coach Class seats, the Southwest Chief offers several sleeper cabin options on longer journeys. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief is consistently ranked as one of the most scenic train routes in America, thanks to the stunning views of the Painted Desert, the Red Cliffs of Sedona, and the Grand Canyon you’ll see from your train window.
Which train carrier has the best service to Chicago?
Based on customers’ travel reviews, travellers who booked on Wanderu rave about travelling to Chicago by train with Amtrak Carl Sandburg, giving it a 5 rating out of 5.
Travellers also mentioned that Amtrak Illini Service had the most comfortable train service to Chicago, taking into account the seats and amenities it offers. They rate Amtrak Illini Service at 4.7 out of 5 when it comes to how relaxing and enjoyable their experience was onboard.
If you are looking to arrive in Chicago punctually, travellers suggest that Amtrak Hiawatha has the best on-time performance on its train schedules to Chicago, rating it 4.9 out of 5 for on-time arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
€5.36 is the cheapest price for a train ticket to Chicago, according to recent searches on Wanderu. You can use our search to check if this price is currently available on trains from your city to Chicago. In the last month, the lowest average price on a route to Chicago was €6.25.
Cheapest price
€5.36
The main train station in Chicago is Union Station. As the busiest station, it has the most train arrivals, although some trains may make other stops in and around Chicago.
A great area to stay in while visiting Chicago is the New East Side. It’s in easy walking distance of many Chicago attractions like Millennium Park and Navy Pier, and is also close to Chicago Union Station. Prices for accommodations vary, so look around a bit to find a good deal.
On the North Shore of the city, Andersonville is a nice neighbourhood to stay in. It’s more quiet than downtown Chicago, with many charming restaurants and bars. It’s also close to the Red Line, meaning that the city’s popular attractions are still easily accessible.
For a cheaper neighbourhood, consider looking northwest toward Wicker Park. Just off the Blue LIne, Wicker Park is known for its terrific nightlife and excellent cuisine. And if prices in Wicker Park exceed your budget, consider staying in Ukrainian Village, just south. You will still be in walking distance of all Wicker Park has to offer, but avoid the markup.
The public transit system in Chicago (known as the Chicago Transit Authority or CTA) is extensive and robust, and includes Chicago’s metro system (known as the “L”) and hundreds of city buses. The Red Line is among the most busy L Lines, and extends from the North Shore down into Chicago’s South Side (including multiple stops in Downtown Chicago). Base fare for a single L ride is $2.50, and single fare for a coach ride is $2.25.
The closest L stop to Chicago Union Station is Clinton, which is about 0.2 miles away, and situated on the Pink and Green lines. Slightly further away is the Quincy stop, about 0.4 miles east, which services the Pink, Brown, Purple and Orange lines.
For easy transport to O’Hare International Airport, take the Blue Line northwest to the end of the line. To get to Midway International Airport, take the Orange Line southwest to the end of the line.
Other ways people get around Chicago include using Uber and Lyft, or just waving down a taxi, which are still prominent throughout The Windy City.
Chicago is filled with excellent attractions for visitors of every age and interest. Among the most famous sites in Chicago is “The Bean,” a reflective sculpture in Millennium Park in the shape of a giant kidney bean.
Another amazing attraction in Chicago is the Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower. The Willis Tower was built in 1973, has 110 floors, and is the second tallest building in the world. Purchase tickets to visit the SkyDeck, where you’re treated to panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan.
Are you a fan of baseball? Then make sure you stop by Wrigley Field for a Chicago Cubs game. The stadium is among the oldest in Major League Baseball, and whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or not, offers a throwback experience that just about anyone can appreciate.
If you enjoy comedy, check out a show at Wrigleyville’s improvOlympic. The theatre has shows every night of the week, and has long been a training ground for famous comedians who have gone on to star in TV shows like Saturday Night Live.
Established in 1923, Lou Mitchell’s is a terrific place to eat breakfast. It is also conveniently located near Chicago Union Station. Lou Mitchell’s is known for their hearty breakfast meals, and for serving breakfast and lunch all day long.
For some good barbecue at a reasonable price, check out Blackwood BBQ, just a few blocks north of Union Station, and if you like Indian food, the fast-casual restaurant Naansense is also an excellent option.
In the mood for an evening cocktail? Then you might have a terrific time at the rooftop bar Cindy’s, near Millennium Park. Cindy’s is a bit pricey, but the view is well-worth it. Get one drink there, then jump on over to the famous Billy Goat Tavern on Lake Street, where drinks are more reasonable.
Spring and autumn are the best overall times to visit Chicago. Summer can be humid and sweltering, and everyone knows the brutal reputation of Chicago winters. That said, if you’re travelling to Chicago for the winter holidays, then train may be the best way to travel. That way you don’t have to drive your own car through the ice and snow, which means your ride will be safer and more comfortable (and probably faster, as you won’t get stuck in traffic from all the accidents the weather is causing).
The closest airport to Chicago is Chicago Meigs Airport (CGX), located 1.7 miles from the city centre of Chicago.
Chicago is the most popular train destination in Illinois. Chicago ranks number 7 among train destinations in the country. Chicago has the most train connections in Illinois. There are 415 direct train schedules arriving in Chicago each day.
The population of Chicago is 2,720,546. It is the largest city in Illinois. It ranks number 3 by population in the country.
A short train trip to Chicago, under 60 miles, can cost as little as €5.36. A 60 to 200 mile train trip to Chicago starts at €8.93. A longer trip by train to Chicago can be as cheap as €18.75. Looking to travel across state or province lines? A trip from out of your region will be as low as €8.03.
People who take the train to Chicago are most often visiting their families or loved ones. With frequent services, the ability to book and hop on a train last minute make taking a train to Chicago easy whether you’re planning a trip far in advance or need some quality time with loved ones at the last minute.
The closest train station to the city centre of Chicago is Union Station, located just 0.6 miles away. Select Union Station as your arrival if your plans call for exploring the downtown area of Chicago. Search on Wanderu and in the search results you can filter travel options by arriving or departing station.
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 2 days, 11 hrs, 51 mins | €331.87 |
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