Cheap train tickets from Champaign to New Orleans

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Champaign to New Orleans. Travelling by train from Champaign to New Orleans usually takes 19 hours and 2 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak City of New Orleans train can make the trip in 16 hours and 52 minutes.

Distance: 710 mi (1142 km)
Fastest train: 16h 52m
Lowest price: NOK 1,152.11
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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Champaign to New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

There are usually 2 daily coach trips from Champaign to New Orleans.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceNOK 1,627.59	Avg. PriceNOK 1,310.38Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration19h 2mFaster	Duration20h 46m

There are several train options that can take you from Champaign to New Orleans:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Champaign to New Orleans?

In the last month, train tickets from Champaign to New Orleans cost about NOK 1,162 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 8 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 1,222.93 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Champaign to New Orleans by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Champaign to New Orleans will cost between NOK 992 and NOK 2,852. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Champaign to New Orleans by month

Ticket prices for the train from Champaign to New Orleans 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 NOK 1,379. If you're thinking of travelling from Champaign to New Orleans during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 1,860 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Champaign to New Orleans on Wanderu at least 8 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 1,222.93 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Champaign to New Orleans?

2 train services operate from Champaign to New Orleans. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	21h 11m	NOK 1,595.22
Amtrak City of New Orleans	1	16h 52m	NOK 1,659.88

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. On average, there is 1 Amtrak train from Champaign to New Orleans every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 1,152.11.
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 NOK 1,659.88 for a trip from Champaign to New Orleans. 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.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Champaign to New Orleans

Trains leave the station in Champaign twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to New Orleans faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from New Orleans to Champaign. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Champaign to New Orleans for NOK 954.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Champaign and New Orleans is approximately 710 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 19 hours and 2 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 16 hours and 52 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

710

Distance (km)

1142

The earliest train departs Champaign at 18:36 while the last train of the day leaves at 22:55. 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

6:36pm

Last train

10:55pm

Trains from Champaign to New Orleans are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Tuesday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Champaign

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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred holiday destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travellers.

There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.

New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centres of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transport. The airport is located not too far from the city centre, while the city’s main coach and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.

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 New Orleans?

Main arrival station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transport hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Coaches operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous trams. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.

Train stations in New Orleans:

Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Need a return trip from New Orleans to Champaign?

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