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Cheap train tickets from Chicago to Los Angeles

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4.8k Reviews

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Chicago to Los Angeles Train Timetable

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Chicago to Los Angeles?

There are usually 6 daily bus trips from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Coach
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

£158.73

Avg. Price

£244.79

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

6

Daily Trips

11

Duration

Duration

2d 10h 35m

Duration

2d 14h 50m

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 11 daily train trips between Chicago and Los Angeles. The average train journey from Chicago to Los Angeles takes 65 hours and 59 minutes, but some Amtrak Southwest Chief train trips are as short as 43 hours and 32 minutes.

Distance1742 mi (2804 km)
Fastest train43h 32m
Lowest price£105.43
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Chicago to Los Angeles

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Duke

16 September 2024- Business

Amtrak Southwest Chief

Pros: It was nice to be able to see the scenery through the window. Cons: I was traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles with another passenger sitting next to me. There were a lot of empty seats on the train, but I couldn't use them and had to share the entire trip with the passenger sitting next to me, which was uncomfortable. Tips: I have no idea.

5.0

Julian

6 January 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Southwest Chief

Pros: Su personal, la vista y la comodidad. Cons: El tiempo de llegada. Tips: Hasta ahora ninguna.

5.0

ed

30 March 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Southwest Chief

Pros: Meals were great. Staff was great. Cons: A few to many stops but nothing unexpected. Being 1.5 hours late was disappointing. Tips: we stayed in a cabin and wish I had upgraded to a full bedroom.

5.0

Manitya

18 January 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Southwest Chief

Pros: Amtrak coffee and observation car. Cons: Wifi should be available . Tips: I insist to travel by Amtrak for my next visit.

Chicago to Los Angeles Route Map

Chicago Los Angeles

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

The average price for a train ticket from Chicago to Los Angeles is £225.83, The lengthy distance traveled between Chicago and Los Angeles often means relatively more expensive train tickets. By booking your trip at least 18 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay £70.04 more.

Average train ticket prices from Chicago to Los Angeles by travel date

£360£240£120NovNov

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Chicago to Los Angeles will cost between £205 and £357. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Chicago to Los Angeles by month

£310£248£186£124£62DJFMAMJJASON

Ticket prices for the train from Chicago to Los Angeles often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only £185,

If you're thinking of traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £292 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

£349£279£209£140£703020100

Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Chicago to Los Angeles. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 18 days before departure, you can save around £70.04. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!

Which train should you take from Chicago to Los Angeles?

There are 3 train lines with service from Chicago to Los Angeles. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 10 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak102d 19h 39m£251.66
Amtrak Southwest Chief11d 19h 36m£152.58
Amtrak Texas Eagle12d 17h 48m£186.04
  • 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 10 Amtrak trains from Chicago to Los Angeles every day, as well as 14 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £115.

  • 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 Chicago to Los Angeles in about 43 hours and 36 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 Chicago to Los Angeles on the Texas Eagle usually takes 65 hours and 48 minutes, which is best spent enjoying the incredible scenery along the way.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Chicago to Los Angeles

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Chicago to Los Angeles. 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 Chicago and Los Angeles is approximately 1742 miles, or 2804 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 65 hours and 59 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 43 hours and 32 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.

Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Chicago to Los Angeles. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Chicago at 07:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 15:00. 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 11 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Chicago to Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles to Chicago.

City Information

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.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Chicago?

Chicago, IL - Union Station - CHIUST-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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.

All train stations in Chicago:

  • Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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.

Train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 592 Gayley Ave

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

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