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Compare train tickets from St Louis to Chicago

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St Louis-Chicago Train Timetable

Train
£37.64
04:35
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
10:00
Union Station - 225 S Canal St
USLNC
4.6stars
0 transfers
Train
£37.64
17:30
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
23:10
Union Station - 225 S Canal St
USLNC
4.6stars
0 transfers
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Trip Summary

There are 4 daily trains from St Louis to Chicago. Traveling by train from St Louis to Chicago usually takes around 6 hours and 42 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Lincoln Service train can make the trip in 5 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance262 mi (422 km)
Fastest train5h 25m
Lowest price£17.75
Trains per day3
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Lincoln Service
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from St Louis, MO to Chicago, IL

(Based on 26 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Ashwini Kumar

9 June 2021 - Visiting friends

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: Excellent & Very Good Experience !! Extremely Comfortable!! Would DEFINITELY travel again by Amtrak !!! Cons: When the Conductor Speaks,he is NOT CLEARLY DECIPHERABLE as to what he is Speaking.If he can speak More distinctly,Would b Excellent!!! Tips: Definitely ...

Pros: Excellent & Very Good Experience !! Extremely Comfortable!! Would DEFINITELY travel again by Amtrak !!! Cons: When the Conductor Speaks,he is NOT CLEARLY DECIPHERABLE as to what he is Speaking.If he can speak More distinctly,Would b Excellent!!! Tips: Definitely try out Amtrak for long distance travels.Definitely A Pleasurable Experience & surely will NOT Regret it !!!

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5.0

brandi

15 April 2021 - Vacation

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: Took our 16 yr old son to Chicago for his first time. He enjoyed himself. Cons: The train was dirty that could be improved.

Pros: Took our 16 yr old son to Chicago for his first time. He enjoyed himself. Cons: The train was dirty that could be improved.

5.0

Raven

31 January 2021 - Visiting friends

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: Relaxing happy to see friends. Cons: Nothing everything was great. Tips: Wear a Mask! Let’s All Keep Safe!

Pros: Relaxing happy to see friends. Cons: Nothing everything was great. Tips: Wear a Mask! Let’s All Keep Safe!

5.0

Aurelia

27 June 2020 - Visiting family

Amtrak Texas Eagle

Pros: How spacious it was. Had room for all my bags and things. Cons: Nothing. It was absolutely great. Tips: N/A.

Pros: How spacious it was. Had room for all my bags and things. Cons: Nothing. It was absolutely great. Tips: N/A.

5.0

Frank

19 November 2019 - Business

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: No pressure, no hassles, no frenzied hurrying around. Met some new friends. A bygone era reborn. Loved it! Will do this more often. Can't wait for the next trip! Cons: The St. Louis, MO station compared to others is shabby and not in great place. They should mov...

Pros: No pressure, no hassles, no frenzied hurrying around. Met some new friends. A bygone era reborn. Loved it! Will do this more often. Can't wait for the next trip! Cons: The St. Louis, MO station compared to others is shabby and not in great place. They should move it back to Union Station. Tips: Sit back relax and enjoy the ride.

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St Louis to Chicago Route Map

St Louis Chicago

Train service from St Louis to Chicago

See more details

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

In the last month, £26.64 was the average price of a train ticket from St Louis, MO to Chicago, IL. This is a great price, especially considering the length of the route. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 28 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £5.61 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

£43£28£14JunJun

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from St Louis to Chicago will vary between £26 and £38. Planning a train trip to Chicago within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from St Louis over the next 7 days is £30. 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

£36£28£21£14£7JASONDJFMAMJ

If you are trying to decide when to travel from St Louis to Chicago by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for August. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just £19 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from St Louis to Chicago in December, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £28 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

£36£28£21£14£73020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Chicago from St Louis will be about £5.61 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from St Louis to Chicago?

There are 3 train lines with service from St Louis, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois. Amtrak Lincoln Service is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak110h 15m£55.97
Amtrak Lincoln Service25h 33m£20.41
Amtrak Texas Eagle15h 57m£32.42
  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from St Louis to Chicago every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £51.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Traveling by train and traveling by bus from St. Louis to Chicago both have their perks. The average travel time on each mode of transportation is about 5 hours 30 minutes, making that a wash, but there are a few distinct differences.

While traveling by train tends to be a more comfortable option, bus tickets are typically cheaper. Train tickets from St. Louis to Chicago average about $30, whereas bus tickets cost an average of $15.

The other main point of comparison is the number of options per day. There are 5 daily trains that cover this route, all of which are direct. By bus there are 22 daily trips, but only 5 of them are direct.

How many trains per day go from St. Louis to Chicago?

There are 5 trains per day that go from St. Louis to Chicago, serviced by 2 different Amtrak lines: the Amtrak Lincoln Service and the Amtrak Texas Eagle.

Is it safe to travel by train from St Louis to Chicago 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 St Louis to Chicago?

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

The distance between St Louis and Chicago is approximately 262 miles, or 422 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 42 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 25 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.

When are trains the most crowded?

Trains from St Louis to Chicago are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 traveling on Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs St Louis at 04:00 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 St Louis to Chicago?

There are 4 scheduled trains on most days. 3 of these are direct connections to Chicago. 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 Chicago to St Louis. If you're not not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from St Louis to Chicago for £20.59.

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.

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 St Louis?

Departure stations

There is one train station in St Louis.

Where is the train station in Chicago?

Arrival stations

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.

Related reading

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