Quickview
How to get to Carbondale by train
| Routes | 34 |
| Trips per day | 101 |
| train lines | 4 |
| Stations | 1 |
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
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.
About Carbondale
Carbondale, one the best vacation destinations in Illinois, is best known for its proximity to Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the Gods: one of the most Instagrammed sites in the state. This quiet paradise is filled with lush trees bordering miles of hiking trails and scenic drives. The enormous sandstone bluffs in Giant City State Park attract rock climbers and rappellers looking for their next adventure. Boo Rochman Memorial Park offers a unique, family-friendly experience– a park filled with wooden sculptures of dragons, unicorns, wizards, and more. The park’s centerpiece, a massive wood and stone castle, features an elaborate jungle gym with stairs, tunnels, and an ogre or two.
Threaded by Main Street, downtown Carbondale is known for its Historic Town Square and charming, old-school architecture. The whole area is easily walkable, so you can peruse local shops for bike gear, art, vintage clothes, musical instruments, and everything in between. The SIU University Museum is a must-see, with no entry fee and a variety of exhibitions about the history and culture of the region. While in the area, explore Campus Lake and Pulliam Hall clocktower, or catch a football game at Saluki Stadium.
Bus services connect Seattle, Chicago, and Phoenix to Carbondale. Amtrak has multiple lines from the city to Memphis, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The nearest airport is Marion Williamson County Regional.
What train companies travel to Carbondale, Illinois?
Located in Illinois, Carbondale is accessible by train from 34 other cities. You can choose from 101 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to Carbondale on Wanderu. Amtrak usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Bus tickets to Carbondale are also available..
Train companies serving Carbondale
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 211 | 14h 31m | DKK 632.10 |
| Amtrak City of New Orleans | 15 | 4h 38m | DKK 254.12 |
| Amtrak Illini Service | 10 | 4h 41m | DKK 287.02 |
| Amtrak Saluki | 10 | 4h 39m | DKK 259.68 |
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.
The City of New Orleans is an Amtrak route that runs daily trains from Chicago to New Orleans and vice versa. The City of New Orleans includes a sightseer lounge with panoramic windows for the best views of the five states along the route. However, the City of New Orleans also offers private roomettes and bedrooms for added comfort and luxury (and a higher price). Passengers who book sleeper accommodations will enjoy included meals, and all passengers can stop into the cafe car to purchase meals and snacks.
Since 1973, Amtrak's Illini Service has provided reliable train transportation to 11 Illinois cities. The Illini operates as an evening commuter train from Chicago to Carbondale, while its sister train, the Amtrak Saluki, runs the morning route. Commuters rely on this service as a safe and convenient transportation option every day. Each train offers WiFi and power outlets, plus a cafe car and business class seating. Illini trains meet the highest federal standard for reducing emissions, with up to 90% less greenhouse gas emissions.
Since its inception in 2006, the Amtrak Saluki line has offered daily train trips between Chicago and Carbondale. The Amtrak Saluki operates along 500 kilometers of railroad, stopping at numerous midwestern towns like Kankakee, Rantoul, and Effingham. The trains on this line are equipped with onboard WiFi, power outlets, air conditioning, and a cafe car, with the option to upgrade to business class seating. This line is known for using trains that produce 90% fewer carbon emissions than other trains, meaning that your trip is green as well as convenient.
Which train service has the best service to Carbondale?
Based on customers travel reviews, travelers who booked on Wanderu rave about traveling to Carbondale by train with Amtrak Saluki giving them a 4.6 rating out of 5.
Travelers also mentioned that Amtrak had the most comfortable train service to Carbondale taking into account the seats and amenities that Amtrak offers. They rate Amtrak a 5 out of 5 when it comes to just how relaxing and enjoyable their experience was onboard.
If you are looking to arrive to Carbondale punctually, travelers suggest that Amtrak has the best on time performance on their train schedules to Carbondale, rating them a 5 based on their on time arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main train station in Carbondale is 401 S Illinois Ave. As the busiest station, it has the most train arrivals, although some trains may make other stops in and around Carbondale.
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 10h 56m | DKK 418.94 |
| New York | 1d 12h 13m | DKK 2,010.92 |
| Alton | 11h 53m | DKK 493.22 |
| Springfield | 11h 41m | DKK 540.86 |
| Chicago | 8h 30m | DKK 443.08 |
Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train schedules 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 and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.
Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more