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Cheap train tickets from Detroit to Chicago

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Detroit to Chicago Train Timetable

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

There are usually 9 daily bus trips from Detroit to Chicago.

Coach
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

£39.19

Avg. Price

£64.39

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

9

Daily Trips

3

Duration

Duration

7h 50m

Duration

5h 20m

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Detroit to Chicago. Traveling by train from Detroit to Chicago usually takes 5 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Wolverine train can make the trip in 5 hours and 6 minutes.

Distance237 mi (381 km)
Fastest train5h 6m
Lowest price£28.64
Trains per day3
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Wolverine
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Detroit to Chicago

(Based on 32 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Diksha

13 October 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Wolverine

Pros: Friendly staff. Cons: WiFi was pretty weak. Tips: No.

5.0

Zarko

8 October 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Wolverine

Great frendly staff

5.0

Derrick

13 September 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Wolverine

Pros: Comfortable. Cons: Nothing.

5.0

Sarahlynn

29 August 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Wolverine

Pros: The ride jostled a bit but I was able to sleep most of the 6 hour ride. Cons: I got an okay burger. The bread was too tough. Wifi wasn’t working :(. Tips: Spring for the business class, it’s worth it!

5.0

Rose

20 May 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Wolverine

Pros: Comfortable seats,. Cons: Cheaper roomette rooms. Tips: Pack a jacket,.

Detroit to Chicago Route Map

Detroit Chicago

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

The average price for a train ticket from Detroit to Chicago is £40.73, By booking your trip at least 11 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 £13.79 more.

Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Chicago by travel date

£93£62£31NovNov

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Detroit to Chicago will range from £30 to £90. If you're planning to travel by train to Chicago in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Detroit you can find in the next 7 days is £30. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

£58£46£35£23£12DJFMAMJJASON

Ticket prices for the train from Detroit to Chicago often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only £37,

If you're thinking of traveling from Detroit to Chicago during May, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £50 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in May, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

£77£62£46£31£153020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Detroit to Chicago, book online with Wanderu at least 11 days in advance. That way, you’ll save £13.79 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Detroit to Chicago?

Amtrak Wolverine is the one and only train line which connects Detroit to Chicago. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Wolverine35h 21m£51.62
  • The Amtrak Wolverine provides rail service from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan, and offers 3 trips per day. Each train features amenities such as a cafe car and onboard WiFi. The average ticket price from Detroit to Chicago on the Wolverine is , but you can find deals for as low as £29.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Detroit to Chicago

The distance between Detroit and Chicago is approximately 237 miles, or 381 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 21 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 6 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.

Tuesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Detroit to Chicago. 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 Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Detroit at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:00. 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 3 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Detroit to Chicago.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Chicago to Detroit.

City Information

Detroit

Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travelers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Art, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.

As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favorite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.

The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travelers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Detroit?

11 W Baltimore Ave - DETAMT-0

Image credit: JasonParis

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 11 W Baltimore Ave

Detroit’s Amtrak station connects Motor City with the nation’s rail network via three daily trains on the Amtrak Wolverine, which runs from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan. Bus service on Miller Transportation also operates from the Amtrak Station on 11 W Baltimore Avenue, and from the adjacent platform, travelers can connect to the QLine streetcar system. The station’s amenities include clean restrooms, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighborhood, the Amtrak station is surrounded by various restaurants and is one block away from the historic landmark, Cadillac Place.

All train stations in Detroit:

  • 11 W Baltimore Ave

Where is the train station in Chicago?

Chicago, IL - Union Station - CHIUST-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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.

Train stations in Chicago:

  • Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

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