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Normal to Madison train

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Normal - Madison Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 5 daily trains from Normal to Madison. Traveling by train from Normal to Madison usually takes around 8 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 6 hours and 29 minutes.

Distance178 mi (287 km)
Fastest train6h 29m
Lowest price€55.42
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Normal to Madison

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Ron

16 November 2019- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: The train ride was smooth and quiet. I would use wanderu again. Cons: Nothing needs to be improved. Tips: Nope.

Price trends for trains from Normal to Madison

Monthly average prices

€69€55€42€28€14AMJJASONDJFM

Prices as travel date approaches

€69€55€42€28€143020100

Which train should you take from Normal to Madison?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Normal to Madison. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak58h 17m€60.41
  • 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 5 Amtrak trains from Normal to Madison every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €55.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the train is the main method of transportation from Normal to Madison, 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 bus or express shuttle.

The distance between Normal and Madison is approximately 178 miles, or 287 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 29 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.

Trains departing from Normal to Madison tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. 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 Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Normal at 07:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 5 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Madison to Normal.

City Information

Normal

Normal is a town in North Bloomington, adjacent to Bloomington. The town got its unique name in 1865 from the Illinois State Normal University, a normal school that is a teacher-training institution. Normal features the Children's Discovery Museum, Illinois State University Planetarium and Carden Park for children, and the David Davis Mansion and McLean County Museum of History for history buffs. If you're interested in exploring the outdoors, you can take a walk on the Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary or Constitution Trail or play on the Ironwood Golf Course. Sports lovers can also check out the Redbird Arena, where basketball games are held.

Normal features a vibrant entertainment scene with different breweries and beer halls. You can participate in the Illinois Shakespeare Festival or watch shows at the Normal Theater. Normal also has a vineyard and wine bars, with most activities available in Uptown Normal, the micro-urban city center. The Uptown area has different entertainment venues, dining, and retail establishments.

You can visit Normal, Illinois, by train or bus. The city is accessible from many other cities by train, including Amtrak, Amtrak Texas Eagle, and Amtrak Lincoln Service. As for the bus lines, you can access the city from over 80 other cities onboard buses from Jefferson Lines, Amtrak Thruway, and Burlington Trailways.

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 Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful 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 bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Normal?

Main departure station: Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir

There is one train station in Normal.

All train stations in Normal:

  • Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir

Where is the train station in Madison?

Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot  - MSIAMT3-0

Image credit: Corey Coyle

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

The Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a parking lot where travelers can catch local Madison Metro buses throughout the city, as well as intercity buses on Amtrak Thruway heading to destinations like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee. For those parking before riding, the lot has both daily and overnight parking available for free. Although there is no station building, bus shelters line the bus lanes, and there is easy access to the next-door gas station and Arby’s, where you can grab a bite or hang out indoors before the bus arrives. The Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a few miles outside of downtown Madison, but several convenience stores, restaurants, and hotels are still in the direct vicinity.

Train stations in Madison:

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

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