Cheap train tickets from Champaign to Kankakee

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Champaign to Kankakee. Travelling by train from Champaign to Kankakee usually takes 1 hour and 4 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak City of New Orleans train can make the trip in 1 hour and 1 minute.

Distance
72 mi (116 km)
Fastest train
1h 1m
Lowest price
£5.94
Trains per day
2
Most frequent service
Amtrak City of New Orleans
Train lines
3

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Chiku

Champaign to Kankakee Train Timetable

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full timetable.

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Champaign to Kankakee?

There are usually 2 daily coach trips from Champaign to Kankakee.

Train
Coach
Avg. Price£31.94Avg. Price£18.06Cheaper
Daily Trips2Daily Trips2
Duration1h 4mFasterDuration1h 17m
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What is the price of a train ticket from Champaign to Kankakee?

In the last month, train tickets from Champaign to Kankakee cost about £10 when booked at the cheapest time. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 6 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £52.38 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Champaign to Kankakee by travel date

£150£100£50Nov

The cost of a one-way train trip from Champaign to Kankakee is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about £146 for your ticket.

Average train ticket prices from Champaign to Kankakee by month

£50£40£30£20£10JFMAMJJASOND

Ticket prices for the train from Champaign to Kankakee often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in August when the average ticket price is only £10. If you're thinking of travelling from Champaign to Kankakee during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £33 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

£75£60£45£30£15010

By booking your train trip from Champaign to Kankakee on Wanderu at least 6 days ahead of time, you can save about £52.38 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Champaign to Kankakee?

There are 3 train lines with service from Champaign to Kankakee. There is only one daily train on each service.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak City of New Orleans11h 1m£64.93
Amtrak Illini Service11h 6m£11.15
Amtrak Saluki11h 7m£12.80
  • 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. Affordable Coach seats cost about £64.93 for a trip from Champaign to Kankakee. 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.

  • Since 1973, Amtrak's Illini Service has provided reliable train transport to 11 Illinois cities. The Illini operates as an evening commuter train from Chicago to Carbondale, while its sister train, the Amtrak Saluki, runs the morning route. Commuters rely on this service as a safe and convenient transport option every day. Each train offers WiFi and power sockets, plus a cafe car and business class seating. Illini trains meet the highest federal standard for reducing emissions, with up to 90% less greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Since its inception in 2006, the Amtrak Saluki line has offered daily train trips between Chicago and Carbondale. The Amtrak Saluki operates along 500 kilometres of railway, stopping at numerous midwestern towns like Kankakee, Rantoul, and Effingham. The trains on this line are equipped with onboard WiFi, power sockets, air conditioning, and a cafe car, with the option to upgrade to business class seating. This line is known for using trains that produce 90% fewer carbon emissions than other trains, meaning that your trip is green as well as convenient.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Champaign to Kankakee

Trains leave the station in Champaign twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to Kankakee with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to get off or switch trains. You can also take a train for your return trip from Kankakee to Champaign. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Champaign to Kankakee for £12.

Trains per day

2

Direct trains

2

The distance between Champaign and Kankakee is approximately 72 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour and 4 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour and 1 minute. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Distance (mi)

72

Distance (km)

116

The earliest train departs Champaign at 4:30 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:08. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

4:30am

Last train

7:08pm

Trains from Champaign to Kankakee are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 travelling on Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Thursday

City Information

Champaign

Champaign, IL - CHM-0Champaign, IL - CHM-1Champaign, IL - CHM-2

A significant hub for the Silicon Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.

As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colourful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.

The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary coach and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Champaign?

Main departure station: Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave  - CHMAMT-0

The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport centre opened in 1999, and now provides coach and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, and local mass transit. Make sure to wait in the correct station building; Champaign’s old train station, dating to 1898, is just across the street. The Illinois Terminal offers short-term parking, fast food, and even meeting spaces and banquet halls. Thanks to the station’s convenient location, some of the best restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign are just a short walk away.

All train stations in Champaign:

  • Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

Where is the train station in Kankakee?

Main arrival station: 199 S East Ave

Kankakee has one train station.

Train stations in Kankakee:

  • 199 S East Ave

Need a return trip from Kankakee to Champaign?

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