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Cheap train tickets from Chicago to St Louis

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Chicago to St Louis Train Timetable

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Chicago to St Louis?

There are usually 12 daily bus trips from Chicago to St Louis.

Coach
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
£48.24
Avg. Price
£45.89
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
12
Daily Trips
6
Duration
Duration
7h 55m
Duration
5h 45m

Trip Summary

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Chicago to St Louis. Traveling by train from Chicago to St Louis usually takes 5 hours and 41 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Lincoln Service train can make the trip in 4 hours and 46 minutes.

Distance262 mi (422 km)
Fastest train4h 46m
Lowest price£20.29
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Lincoln Service
Train lines3

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Chicago to St Louis

(Based on 79 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Lorena

28 October 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Lincoln Service

La vista

5.0

Sherri

25 May 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Lincoln Service

I've been traveling Amtrak to St. Louis for about two years, and the price and comfort is phenomenal.

5.0

Sam

9 May 2024- Business

Amtrak Lincoln Service

I took my bike and found the process of rolling on and off with it very smooth

5.0

Priya

20 April 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Lincoln Service

It was really good to travel in Amtrak I felt very safe and enjoyed

5.0

Jeanie

16 April 2024- Business

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: So relaxing…enjoyed decompressing while watching the scenery fly by thru the window…bar car was open - purchased wine and just relaxed. Tips: Pay attention to announcements so you know where to line up for your train.

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Chicago to St Louis was £43.60. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 23 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £21.69 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Chicago to St Louis by travel date

£101£68£34MayJun

If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to St Louis in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from £28 to £99. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 4 June 2025.

If you’re looking to travel to St Louis this week, bus tickets are available starting at £34.

Monthly average prices

£56£45£34£23£11JJASONDJFMAM
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Chicago to St Louis, mark your calendar for April. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just £39. However, taking the bus from Chicago to St Louis during November is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of £54. The best way to find deals on a trip in November is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

£75£60£45£30£153020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 23 days in advance to save £21.69 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Chicago to St Louis?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak27h 9m£56.74
Amtrak Lincoln Service34h 57m£36.94
Amtrak Texas Eagle15h 15m£71.41

  • 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 Chicago to St Louis every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £20.

  • Amtrak Lincoln Service is part of Amtrak's Illinois Service, providing rail transportation throughout Illinois. The Lincoln Service travels 284 miles between St. Louis and Chicago with nine intermediate stops. Amtrak Lincoln trains offer WiFi connectivity, power outlets, business class seating, and a cafe car to ensure passengers have the most comfortable journey possible.

  • 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 St Louis on the Texas Eagle usually takes 5 hours and 15 minutes, which is best spent enjoying the incredible scenery along the way.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Chicago to St Louis

Yes, there are 3 bus companies that offer service from Chicago to St. Louis: Greyhound, Megabus and OurBus. Of those, Ourbus is the cheapest, with tickets averaging about $15.

The Amtrak Texas Eagle is the more expensive of the two train lines, with tickets averaging about $10 more than the Lincoln Service (which is also known as the Illinois Service). There are 3 Lincoln Service trains per day, versus just 1 Texas Eagle, which means you’ll have more options to fit your schedule on the Lincoln line.

Otherwise, both trains take about 5 hours 30 minutes, and they take the same route, which passes through Bloomington, IL and Springfield, IL on the way to St. Louis.

St. Louis is a terrific destination to travel with your family, if your kids can endure the almost 6 hour train ride. Thankfully, Amtrak trains are very comfortable, which should make the time go by faster.

St. Louis itself has plenty of fun activities for your family. The City Museum is among the best in the entire U.S. for children, with interactive exhibits the kids can climb all over, making it a good venue to let out some energy. The St. Louis Zoo is well-known for its impressive collection of animals, and the iconic Gateway Arch is a site to behold.

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Chicago to St Louis. 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 St Louis is approximately 262 miles, or 422 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 41 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 46 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.

With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for train travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for train travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.

The earliest train departs Chicago at 07:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 20:00. 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. 5 of these are direct connections to St Louis. 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 St Louis 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.

St Louis

St. Louis, MO - STL-0

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis, MO - STL-1

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis, MO - STL-2

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.

Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.

Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.

The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.

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 St Louis?

Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St - STLAMT-0

Image credit: Chris Yunker

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Gateway Station opened in 2008 to consolidate St Louis’ transportation services into one central hub. The station’s award-winning design includes a pedestrian walkway with expansive colored glass windows overlooking the train tracks. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown St Louis, the station is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and hotels and is just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and the iconic Gateway Arch. Amenities inside the station include free Wifi, a food court, and a lounge for Amtrak’s First Class passengers. Gateway Station is a major stop for intercity bus service, several Amtrak train lines, and the city’s MetroLink which can connect you with the St Louis Lambert International Airport in just 30 minutes.

Train stations in St Louis:

  • Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

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