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Trains from Chicago to Carbondale

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Chicago - Carbondale Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 18 daily trains from Chicago to Carbondale. Traveling by train from Chicago to Carbondale usually takes around 20 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest Amtrak City of New Orleans train can make the trip in 5 hours and 16 minutes.

Distance299 mi (481 km)
Fastest train5h 16m
Lowest price€29.82
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Chicago to Carbondale

(Based on 13 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Joshua

13 December 2021- Solo travel

Amtrak Saluki

Pros: Was left alone to relax and enjoy my trip. Cons: No need for the masks.

Pros: Was left alone to relax and enjoy my trip. Cons: No need for the masks.

5.0

Curt

26 September 2021- Couples trip

Amtrak Saluki

Pros: Convenient without having to drive myself. Was a good experience. Cons: Speaker system seemed garbled and unclear most of the time. Crew members on train seemed edgy and cranky. Tips: First time rider and was a fun experience in coach class. May upgrade next time...

Pros: Convenient without having to drive myself. Was a good experience. Cons: Speaker system seemed garbled and unclear most of the time. Crew members on train seemed edgy and cranky. Tips: First time rider and was a fun experience in coach class. May upgrade next time and try that.

More

5.0

Chareese

13 February 2021- Solo travel

Amtrak Illini Service

Pros: Was well accomodating. Cons: Would like to see more accomodating time options for different travel times to and from Chicago to Carbondale and from Carbondale to Chicago during week and weekends.

Pros: Was well accomodating. Cons: Would like to see more accomodating time options for different travel times to and from Chicago to Carbondale and from Carbondale to Chicago during week and weekends.

5.0

aaron

8 February 2021- Solo travel

Amtrak Illini Service

Pros: everything was fine. Cons: n/a. Tips: n/a.

Pros: everything was fine. Cons: n/a. Tips: n/a.

5.0

Eric

27 December 2020- Visiting family

Amtrak Illini Service

Pros: Outstanding, I will do this again. Cons: N/A. Tips: Definitely use this service.

Pros: Outstanding, I will do this again. Cons: N/A. Tips: Definitely use this service.

Train service from Chicago to Carbondale

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

In the last month, €82.21 was the average price of a train ticket from Chicago to Carbondale. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 29 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around €59.99 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

€144€96€48MayMay

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Chicago to Carbondale will vary between €67 and €139. Planning a train trip to Carbondale within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Chicago over the next 7 days is €75. 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

€72€58€43€29€14JJASONDJFMAM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Chicago to Carbondale by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for December. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just €54 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Chicago to Carbondale in March, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to €66 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

€120€96€72€48€243020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Carbondale from Chicago will be about €59.99 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Chicago to Carbondale?

There are 3 train lines with service from Chicago to Carbondale. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 16 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak1622h 37m€108.66
Amtrak City of New Orleans15h 16m€35.28
Amtrak Illini Service15h 30m€40.18
  • 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 16 Amtrak trains from Chicago to Carbondale every day, as well as 8 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €42.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9
  • Amtrak City of New Orleans

    Amtrak City of New Orleans

    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. Affordable Coach seats cost about for a trip from Chicago to Carbondale. 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.

  • Amtrak Illini Service

    Amtrak Illini Service

    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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Chicago to Carbondale 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 Chicago to Carbondale?

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

The distance between Chicago and Carbondale is approximately 299 miles, or 481 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 20 hours and 1 minute, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 16 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 departing from Chicago to Carbondale tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Chicago at 00:00 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 Chicago to Carbondale?

There are 18 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Carbondale. 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 Carbondale to Chicago.

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 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 Chicago?

New York, NY - Penn Station - NYCPEN-0

Departure stations

Pennsylvania Station, or just Penn Station, is the main train station in New York City. All Amtrak trains to and from NYC use Penn Station as their only train stop in Manhattan. Penn Station offers easy connections to various other types of transportation, including commuter rail (the Long Island Rail Road and the NJ Transit both operate out of Penn Station), airport transit, and six lines of the NYC Subway, making it the busiest train station in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the heart of Manhattan, right by the world-famous Madison Square Garden, Penn Station is close to various points of interest such as Times Square and the Empire State Building, as well as many restaurants and retail stores.

All train stations in Chicago:

  • Penn Station

  • 100 N Third St

  • Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

  • Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir

  • Union Station

  • Gateway Center

  • 101 N Chicago St

  • Union Depot

  • Union Station - 400 S Houston St

  • Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

  • Airport - 5601 S 6th St

  • 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

  • 11 W Baltimore Ave

  • Marquette Transit Auth - 1325 Commerce Dr

  • 2901 27th Ave North

Related reading

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