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Cheap train tickets from Madison to Champaign
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Madison to Champaign. Travelling by train from Madison to Champaign usually takes 8 hours and 7 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 46 minutes.
- Distance
- 213 mi (343 km)
- Fastest train
- 7h 46m
- Lowest price
- US$58.00
- Trains per day
- 2
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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Madison to Champaign Train Timetable
Is it better to travel by coach or train from Madison to Champaign?
There is usually 1 daily coach trip from Madison to Champaign.
Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceUS$76.92 | Avg. PriceUS$67.01Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration8h 7mFaster | Duration13h 15m |
There are several train options that can take you from Madison to Champaign:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Madison to Champaign?
In the last month, train tickets from Madison to Champaign cost about US$68 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 9 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$22.43 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Madison to Champaign by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Madison to Champaign will cost between US$59 and US$88. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Madison to Champaign by month
Taking the train from Madison to Champaign usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around US$75 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
The price of train trips from Madison to Champaign doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.
Which train should you take from Madison to Champaign?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Madison to Champaign. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 8h 7m | US$76.92 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railway 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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets 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 Madison to Champaign every day, as well as 5 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from US$58.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Madison to Champaign
While the train is the main method of transport from Madison to Champaign, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a coach or express shuttle.
Trains leave the station in Madison twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your hand luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Champaign to Madison. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Madison to Champaign for US$39.
Trains per day
2
Direct trains
0
The distance between Madison and Champaign is approximately 213 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 7 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 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 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)
213
Distance (km)
343
The earliest train departs Madison at 2:30 while the last train of the day leaves at 14:50. 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
2:30am
Last train
2:50pm
Trains from Madison to Champaign 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 travelling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Thursday
Least crowded
Sunday
City Information
Madison
Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colourful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.
As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.
The busiest coach/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
Champaign
A significant hub for the Silicon Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.
As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colourful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.
The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary coach and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Madison?
Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
There are two stations in Madison where you can board the train to Champaign.
All train stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
Where is the train station in Champaign?
Main arrival station: Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave
The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport centre opened in 1999, and now provides coach and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, and local mass transit. Make sure to wait in the correct station building; Champaign’s old train station, dating to 1898, is just across the street. The Illinois Terminal offers short-term parking, fast food, and even meeting spaces and banquet halls. Thanks to the station’s convenient location, some of the best restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign are just a short walk away.
Train stations in Champaign:
- Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave
Need a return trip from Champaign to Madison?
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