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Cheap train tickets from Chicago to New York

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Chicago to New York Train Timetable

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Chicago to New York?

There are usually 40 daily bus trips from Chicago to New York.

Coach
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
£95.83
Avg. Price
£149.18
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
40
Daily Trips
7
Duration
Duration
1d 5h 49m
Duration
22h 18m

Trip Summary

7 trains operate daily from Chicago to New York. The train trip from Chicago to New York is usually about 22 hours and 24 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Lake Shore Limited train can get you there in as little as 20 hours and 12 minutes.

Distance711 mi (1144 km)
Fastest train20h 12m
Lowest price£69.14
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Chicago to New York

(Based on 18 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Omar

2 December 2024- Vacation

Amtrak Lake Shore Limited

Pros: Food. Tips: Nothing.

4.0

Mariia

9 June 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Lake Shore Limited

Pros: It was my first Amtrak train trip in the US, and I had no positive expectations. So it was not as bad as I thought a night trip could be. Cons: 1. It was freezing cold at night, hard to sleep at such a temperature, the thermostat would help but the staff said that the air conditioner has only an on/off function. When it's that cold, blankets should be included. 2. The lock on one of the bathrooms door wasn't working - I said this to the staff, and they said it was reported already and still hadn't been fixed by the company. There was no sign that door wasn't working properly, and travelers didn't pay attention and interrupted each other right in the middle of something. We had coaches right in front of the bathroom, and frankly, this could be a class action lawsuit due to moral damages for all those who were interrupted (sometimes people did not even close the door back), those who opened the door to a busy toilet and those who saw it more than 10+ times during the trip. The conductor said they were not allowed to hang any signs themselves, but I believe the company should make exceptions in such cases for the sake of passengers' comfort. In addition, the door that does not work also prevented it from closing well at the Albani station and beyond (because this door didn't close, no one paid attention to the reason for the closed second bathroom and used the broken one). Tips: Bring some snacks, a travel pillow and some warm clothes. And don't pick a seat in front of the bathrooms just in case.

4.0

Ulme

24 May 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Lake Shore Limited

View out the window.

5.0

Joy

11 April 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Lake Shore Limited

Pros: I loss my Mother four (4) months ago and I decided I needed a getaway. I love NYC so much that I took a train and let the fun begin. I met up with friends from my college and a very important person. Cons: Nothing!! 10 Stars.

5.0

Francisco

5 November 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Lake Shore Limited

Pros: Security are food people. Cons: The water of drink must be better. Tips: No.

Chicago to New York Route Map

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

The average price for a train ticket from Chicago to New York is £136.44, Tickets are generally pricier for this train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. By booking your trip at least 29 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 £29.77 more.

Average train ticket prices from Chicago to New York by travel date

£195£130£65JanJan

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Chicago to New York will cost between £121 and £188. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly average prices

£264£211£159£106£53FMAMJJASONDJ
You can find the lowest prices on this route during December. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Chicago to New York, with the average price at just £198. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in September, when the average price goes up to £255. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

£325£260£195£130£653020100

By booking your train trip from Chicago to New York on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about £29.77 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Chicago to New York?

There are 3 train lines with service from Chicago to New York. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 6 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak622h 24m£192.14
Amtrak Cardinal11d 3h 28m£114.12
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited120h 13m£126.21

  • 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 6 Amtrak trains from Chicago to New York every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £107.

  • The Amtrak Cardinal is a long distance passenger rail service from New York to Chicago, connecting a total of 31 cities. As one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the Cardinal is a popular train line connecting the Northeast to the Southeast, and offers top-notch comfort thanks to its seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available for purchase in the Cardinal Café. There are usually 1 Cardinal trips from Chicago to New York per day, with an average trip length of 27 hours and 28 minutes.

  • The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited is an overnight train that runs along some of the best shorelines in the U.S., connecting New York City and Boston with Chicago. The service provides top-tier amenities to its passengers, including free WiFi and dining onboard. The Lake Shore Limited departs from Chicago (Union Station), Illinois in Chicago and arrives at NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station in New York. The route takes about 20 hours and 13 minutes and ticket prices start at £69.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Chicago to New York

The distance between Chicago and New York is approximately 711 miles, or 1144 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 22 hours and 24 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 20 hours and 12 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.

Trains departing from Chicago to New York tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Chicago at 17:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. 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 7 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Chicago to New York. 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 New York 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.

New York

NYC-0NYC-1NYC-2

New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world for a reason – it offers numerous opportunities for a great time to visitors of all ages and interests. For the culturally inclined travelers, the city boasts a unique collection of world-famous museums, as well as the chance to see the best plays and musicals that Broadway has to offer, or check out the latest production at the Metropolitan Opera. If sightseeing is your cardio, NYC is the place to be – just by walking around town, you can visit such iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square. Or hop on a ferry to Ellis Island to meet the Statue of Liberty up-close and personal.

NYC’s five boroughs feature more than 1,700 parks, including the gorgeous Central Park, making it one of the best cities for outdoor activities in the country. As for the nightlife, there’s no argument that New York City is the biggest party hub in the U.S.

With three major bus and train stations in Manhattan alone – Port Authority, Grand Central & Penn Station – and three nearby airports, NYC is one of the predominant travel hubs in the world. If you are ever looking to get out of town, NYC is centrally connected throughout the state and region, you can easily hop on a train to Albany to go explore upstate New York.

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 New York?

New York, NY - Penn Station - NYCPEN-0

Main arrival station: NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

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.

Train stations in New York:

  • NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

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