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Trains from Chicago to Champaign

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Chicago - Champaign Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 25 daily trains from Chicago to Champaign. Traveling by train from Chicago to Champaign usually takes around 16 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Illini Service train can make the trip in 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance126 mi (203 km)
Fastest train2h 10m
Lowest price£11.31
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Chicago to Champaign

(Based on 36 ratings and reviews)

4.8

4.0

Deqi

17 March 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Illini Service

Pros: The seat is comfortable. Cons: Assign specific seats to each customer so that they don't need to waste those time looking for available seats. Tips: Arriving earlier makes it much easier to find a seat.

Pros: The seat is comfortable. Cons: Assign specific seats to each customer so that they don't need to waste those time looking for available seats. Tips: Arriving earlier makes it much easier to find a seat.

5.0

Nicole

12 January 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Illini Service

Pros: Smooth ride and peaceful. Cons: Everything was great. Tips: Make sure to book your next trip through Wanderu.

Pros: Smooth ride and peaceful. Cons: Everything was great. Tips: Make sure to book your next trip through Wanderu.

5.0

Oche

28 November 2021- Regular commuter

Amtrak Saluki

Pros: How comfortable the vehicle was. Cons: Very expensive ticket for a semi cramped vehicle. Tips: Check to see how packed the vehicle will be.

Pros: How comfortable the vehicle was. Cons: Very expensive ticket for a semi cramped vehicle. Tips: Check to see how packed the vehicle will be.

5.0

Elizabeth

13 November 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak Saluki

It was done within time and the environment was mostly conducive for sleeping

It was done within time and the environment was mostly conducive for sleeping

5.0

Junghoon

5 November 2021- Solo travel

Amtrak Saluki

Clean environment.

Clean environment.

Chicago to Champaign Route Map

Chicago Champaign

Train service from Chicago to Champaign

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

In the last month, £58.74 was the average price of a train ticket from Chicago to Champaign. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 4 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £38.28 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

£109£73£36MayMay

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Chicago to Champaign will vary between £45 and £99. Planning a train trip to Champaign within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Chicago over the next 7 days is £55. 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

£40£32£24£16£8JJASONDJFMAM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Chicago to Champaign by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for December. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just £17 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Chicago to Champaign in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £40 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

£61£48£36£24£123020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 4 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Champaign from Chicago will be about £38.28 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Chicago to Champaign?

There are 3 train lines with service from Chicago to Champaign. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 24 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak2419h 20m£74.37
Amtrak City of New Orleans12h 25m£14.73
Amtrak Illini Service12h 10m£15.92
  • Amtrak

    Amtrak

    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 24 Amtrak trains from Chicago to Champaign every day, as well as 10 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £20.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9
  • Amtrak City of New Orleans

    Amtrak City of New Orleans

    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 for a trip from Chicago to Champaign. 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.

  • Amtrak Illini Service

    Amtrak Illini Service

    Since 1973, Amtrak's Illini Service has provided reliable train transportation 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 transportation option every day. Each train offers WiFi and power outlets, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Chicago to Champaign during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

Can you take a train all the way from Chicago to Champaign?

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Chicago to Champaign. 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.

How long is the train journey from Chicago to Champaign?

The distance between Chicago and Champaign is approximately 126 miles, or 203 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 16 hours and 43 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 10 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

When are trains the most crowded?

Tuesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Chicago to Champaign. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Tuesday 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.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Chicago at 00:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Is there a direct train from Chicago to Champaign?

There are 25 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Champaign. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Champaign 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.

Champaign

Champaign, IL - CHM-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Champaign, IL - CHM-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Champaign, IL - CHM-2

Image credit: Pixabay

A significant hub for the Silicone 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 colorful 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 bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, Peoria Charter, 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 Chicago?

New York, NY - Penn Station - NYCPEN-0

Departure stations

Pennsylvania Station, or just Penn Station, is the main train station in New York City. All Amtrak trains to and from NYC use Penn Station as their only train stop in Manhattan. Penn Station offers easy connections to various other types of transportation, including commuter rail (the Long Island Rail Road and the NJ Transit both operate out of Penn Station), airport transit, and six lines of the NYC Subway, making it the busiest train station in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the heart of Manhattan, right by the world-famous Madison Square Garden, Penn Station is close to various points of interest such as Times Square and the Empire State Building, as well as many restaurants and retail stores.

All train stations in Chicago:

  • Penn Station

  • Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

  • 100 N Third St

  • Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir

  • 902 Washington Ave

  • 1116 Depot St

  • Union Station

  • Gateway Center

  • Union Station - 400 S Houston St

  • Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

  • South Station

  • Union Depot

  • 325 Depot St - Amtrak Station

  • Airport - 5601 S 6th St

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Where is the train station in Champaign?

Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave - CHMAMT-0

Image credit: Beyond My Ken

Link to image attribution

Arrival stations

The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport center opened in 1999, and now provides bus and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Peoria Charter, 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.

Train stations in Champaign:

  • Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

Related reading

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