Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
There are 2 daily trains from Carbondale to Flagstaff. Traveling by train from Carbondale to Flagstaff usually takes around 42 hours and 16 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 1256 mi (2021 km) |
| Fastest train | 42h 16m |
| Lowest price | £316.03 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Carbondale to Flagstaff?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Carbondale to Flagstaff. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 1d 18h 16m | £652.81 |
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 Carbondale to Flagstaff every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £316.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Carbondale and Flagstaff is approximately 1256 miles, or 2021 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 42 hours and 16 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 departing from Carbondale to Flagstaff tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Carbondale at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 04:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Carbondale twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Flagstaff to Carbondale.
City Information
Carbondale
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.
Flagstaff
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Blessed with plenty of pine forests and amazing sceneries, Flagstaff is more than just a pit stop for travelers who need respite from the scorching desert. We even named it one of the best places to visit in Arizona! The first place every traveler should visit is the Historic Downtown and Railroad District, which was built along the historic Route 66. As you stroll around the quarter, you will catch glimpses of quaint buildings constructed during the early 20th century, giving the area an authentically vintage vibe.
Stargazers should hightail it to the Lowell Observatory, whose telescope provides a breathtaking view of vast and unending space. If you are ready for some hiking, consider spending a day at the Wupatki National Monument. In this natural reserve, tourists can find ruins of indigenous villages and learn about the history of indigenous people in the area.
Budget pizzerias abound in Flagstaff to cater to a student crowd, and one of the best spots around is Oregano's Pizza Bistro. Cottage Place has some of the best offerings in town for a fancier meal and some delicious fillet mignon!
Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops at Flagstaff's train station at 1 East Rte 66. If you're traveling by bus, companies like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines operate out of the station on Butler Ave. Local air service goes through the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, located just 4.3 miles from the city center.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Carbondale?
Main departure station: 401 S Illinois Ave
There is one train station in Carbondale.
All train stations in Carbondale:
401 S Illinois Ave
Where is the train station in Flagstaff?
Image credit: PunkToad
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 1 East Rte 66
The Flagstaff station at 1 East Rte 66 doubles as the city's Visitors Center, so you'll have travel resources available as soon as you step off the train. Also, check out the gift shop's selection of Flagstaff and train-themed souvenirs, clothing, books, and Route 66 memorabilia. Flagstaff is a stop along the Southwest Chief Amtrak line, connecting Chicago to Los Angeles. You can take the Southwest Chief line one stop west to Williams and then take the Grand Canyon Railway straight to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Or, since the station is in the heart of the city, you can begin your Flagstaff exploration right away.
Train stations in Flagstaff:
1 East Rte 66
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Flagstaff to Carbondale?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach 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 coach and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.
Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more