Cheap train tickets from Detroit to Chicago

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Detroit to Chicago. Travelling by train from Detroit to Chicago usually takes 5 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Wolverine train can make the trip in 5 hours and 6 minutes.

Distance
237 mi (381 km)
Fastest train
5h 6m
Lowest price
€34.82
Trains per day
3
Most frequent service
Amtrak Wolverine
Train lines
2

Millions of travellers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest coach & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most coach & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travellers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Detroit to Chicago Train Timetable

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

There are usually 14 daily coach trips from Detroit to Chicago.

Train
Coach
Avg. Price€60.73Avg. Price€51.55Cheaper
Daily Trips3Daily Trips14
Duration5h 27mFasterDuration7h 44m
Wanderu mascot

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on coach & train tickets sent directly to you.

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Detroit to Chicago (Based on 41 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Emelia

24 September 2025 - Business

Amtrak Wolverine
Pros: It was really great being able to ride with Amtrak and they have really improved their customer service Cons: N/a Tips: N/a

5.0

Jimil

22 August 2025 - Holiday

Amtrak Wolverine
Pros: Watching my grandkids enjoy the scenery Cons: The Detroit train station is very shabby.

5.0

cyriac

2 August 2025 - Visiting family

Amtrak Wolverine
Pros: It was a pleasure to travel in Amtrak. Cons: Seat number was not provided. Tips: I will recommend my family and friends to travel in Amtrak.

5.0

James

7 June 2025 - Visiting family

Amtrak Wolverine
Pros: Stress free travel Cons: I would like to have the sleeper seat so that I can sleep while traveling Tips: Many people don’t know about the train services. Explore them

5.0

June

11 March 2025 - Visiting family

Amtrak Wolverine
Pros: Easy boarding and seating. Smooth ride Cons: Not much!

Detroit to Chicago Route Map

Route map from Detroit to Chicago
See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Detroit to Chicago was €50. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around €21.20 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Chicago by travel date

€120€80€40OctNov

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Detroit to Chicago will cost between €37 and €107. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Chicago by month

€75€60€45€30€15JFMAMJJASOND

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 February when the average ticket price is only €55. If you're thinking of travelling from Detroit to Chicago during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €71 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

€75€60€45€30€1501020

By booking your train trip from Detroit to Chicago on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time, you can save about €21.20 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Detroit to Chicago?

2 train services operate from Detroit to Chicago. Amtrak Wolverine usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak15h 16m€35.26
Amtrak Wolverine35h 27m€60.78
  • 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 €60.78, but you can find deals for as low as €34.82.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Detroit to Chicago

Yes, there are some trains that travel the entire distance from Detroit to Chicago. However, in some cases you will have to take a coach for part of your journey in addition to taking the train.

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. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Detroit to Chicago for €27.

Trains per day

3

Direct trains

3

The distance between Detroit and Chicago is approximately 237 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 27 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

237

Distance (km)

381

The earliest train departs Detroit at 6:26 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:11. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

6:26am

Last train

6:11pm

Trains from Detroit to Chicago are the most crowded on Sunday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

Renaissance faires at both ends of the Detroit–Chicago line

Chicago is the practical base for the Bristol Renaissance Faire, which runs at weekends from 11 July to 7 September just over the Illinois line at Kenosha, Wisconsin — closer to Chicago than to Milwaukee, and reachable on Metra or Amtrak's Hiawatha. At the Detroit end, the Michigan Renaissance Festival holds its Holly grounds from 22 August to 4 October. Both are in our finder — Bristol under renaissance faires in Wisconsin, since Kenosha sits over the state line — with every other faire in the country.

City Information

Detroit

DET-0DET-1DET-2

Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travellers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 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’ favourite 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 coach terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travellers can catch coaches 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

CHI-0CHI-1CHI-2

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 holiday 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 neighbourhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theatre, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.

Chicago is one of the biggest transport 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 coach and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Detroit?

Main departure station: 11 W Baltimore Ave

11 W Baltimore Ave - DETAMT-0

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. Coach service on Miller Transportation also operates from the Amtrak Station on 11 W Baltimore Avenue, and from the adjacent platform, travellers can connect to the QLine tram system. The station’s amenities include clean toilets, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighbourhood, 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?

Main arrival station: Union Station

Chicago, IL - Union Station - CHIUST-0CHIUST-2

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 coach 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:

  • Union Station

Need a return trip from Chicago to Detroit?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train timetables and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.