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Los Angeles to Chicago train

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Los Angeles - Chicago Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 5 daily trains from Los Angeles to Chicago. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to Chicago usually takes around 64 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Southwest Chief train can make the trip in 42 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance1742 mi (2804 km)
Fastest train42h 55m
Lowest priceMX$2,499.54
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Los Angeles to Chicago

(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)

4.0

4.0

Penelope

11 August 2020- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: The views were beautiful and I feel that I got to know more of my country. The first train #14 Coast Starlight was smoother than train #28 the Empire Builder. The jarring at night seriously hurt my knees. It was a great adventure and everybody should take a train ride into the big, blue yonder. Cons: Newer trains on long rides or slower speeds at night to reduce jarring movement. I'm 63 years old and I enjoy the internet,.Please re-instate WiFi on all routes, it is essential. Tips: Take the plunge!. If older, get a roomette, the best deal. Explore your own country before you spend your money to visit foreign countries.

4.0

Lilybeth

13 October 2019- Vacation

Amtrak Southwest Chief

Pros: another exciting experience. the views are all good and makes it a different experience! we enjoyed our trip😍. Cons: add more variety of foods at the dining like food with rice for asian like us! much appreciated if there are more varieties of foods offered!

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What is the price of a train ticket from Los Angeles to Chicago?

In the last month, MX$3,747.29 was the average price of a train ticket from Los Angeles to Chicago. Given how far apart Los Angeles and Chicago are from each other, there's no getting around the fact that most train tickets are on the pricier side. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 29 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around MX$2,657.73 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

MX$4,278MX$2,852MX$1,426AprApr

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to Chicago will vary between MX$3,254 and MX$4,261. Planning a train trip to Chicago within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Los Angeles over the next 7 days is MX$3,489. 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

MX$7,549MX$6,039MX$4,529MX$3,020MX$1,510MJJASONDJFMA
Mark your calendar for February if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Los Angeles to Chicago. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of MX$5,083. If you're planning a trip from Los Angeles to Chicago during August, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about MX$7,264 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

MX$6,710MX$5,368MX$4,026MX$2,684MX$1,3423020100

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 Los Angeles will be about MX$2,657.73 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Los Angeles to Chicago?

There are 3 train lines with service from Los Angeles to Chicago. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 4 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak42d 19h 10mMX$4,222.54
Amtrak Southwest Chief11d 18h 55mMX$3,902.13
Amtrak Texas Eagle12d 13h 55mMX$3,824.63

  • 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 4 Amtrak trains from Los Angeles to Chicago every day, as well as 8 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from MX$2,751.

  • 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. The train covers the stretch from Los Angeles to Chicago in about 42 hours and 55 minutes. 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.

  • 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 Los Angeles to Chicago on the Texas Eagle usually takes 61 hours and 55 minutes, which is best spent enjoying the incredible scenery along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles and Chicago is approximately 1742 miles, or 2804 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 64 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 42 hours and 55 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.

Trains from Los Angeles to Chicago are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 traveling on Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 05:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. 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 5 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Los Angeles to Chicago. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Chicago to Los Angeles.

City Information

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

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 Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Union Station

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

All train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • 10251 St Edwards Dr

  • Pacific Central Station

Where is the train station in Chicago?

Chicago, IL - Union Station - CHIUST-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

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:

  • Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

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