Amtrak Carl Sandburg train tickets—Search & book deals
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About Amtrak Carl Sandburg
Amtrak Carl Sandburg operates a daily service between Chicago and Quincy. Departures from Chicago's Union Station take place early in the morning and return from Quincy in the evening, with 189 monthly trips on average.
The route was launched in 2006 as a sister service to the Illinois Zephyr, which operates along the same 258-mile route. Amtrak Carl Sandburg is named after the Pulitzer-prize-winning writer Carl Sandburg, who was born close to the route in Galesburg, Illinois.
Amtrak Carl Sandburg services call at eight additional station stops, all within Illinois, including Naperville and Kewanee. The full-length journey lasts a little over four hours. Around 80,000 passengers take this trip between Chicago and Quincy each year.
Whether you buy a coach class or business class ticket, you'll have plenty of legroom and complimentary WiFi. Passengers can also snag some refreshments from the café service.
Amtrak has been an official Wanderu partner since 2015, which means you can check all Amtrak schedules and prices, including the Carl Sandburg. Use Wanderu to find the best deals available and book your trip today!
Contact Amtrak Carl Sandburg
- Phone number:
- 1 (800) 872-7245
- Online support:
- Amtrak Carl Sandburg website
Amtrak Carl Sandburg Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Toilet
- Extra legroom
- Loyalty rewards
- Power outlets
- Snacks
- Wifi
Quickview
Amtrak Carl Sandburg train coverage
- Daily Trips
- 13
- stations
- 10
- cities
- 10
- countries
- 1
- United States
What travelers are saying about Amtrak Carl Sandburg
Here’s what Wanderu users who have booked trips with Amtrak Carl Sandburg had to say about their travel experience.
Traveling During COVID-19
“They took COVID safety precautions seriously.”
93%
Onboard Experience
“The WiFi actually worked for the entire trip”
80%“I’ll travel with them again just for the staff!”
86%“Really cheap tickets and really good service.”
93%“The train got there on time.”
98%“Seats were really comfy and spacious”
93%“The train was almost suspiciously clean”
98%
Amtrak Carl Sandburg reviews from Wanderu customers
Overall review score for Amtrak Carl Sandburg Based on 44 reviews
4.9
Ratings (Out of 5)
| Comfort | |
|---|---|
| Timeliness | |
| Staff | |
| Value |
Amtrak Carl Sandburg passenger reviews
Pros Quick, easy, hassle free Cons Nothing on my trip Tips None needed
Pros Great trip
Pros Amazing trip Cons Nothing
Pros Comfortable Cons Rien Tips Acheter tickets
Pros I loved seeing family Cons The Staffs attitude Tips Embrace the fact that something may go wrong and pray that the delays won't be so long and intensed.
Pros convenience of destination
Pros i love you guys
Pros Good 👍 job
Pros Amtrak is always great, except when it comes to refunds after you missed your trip. Cons It was great but since it was sold out I had a person sitting next to me and the seats aren’t wide enough for some people of bigger sizes so we were touching the whole ride. Tips Neck pillow, light blanket would put the Cherry on top for you.
Pros Not crowded Cons A reclining chair would be appreciated
Pros Smooth and in time journey. Cons N/A
Pros The staff both at the train station leaving and on the train were awesome! Cons nothing Tips be considerate of other travelers and staff
Pros That they took the time to explain to me where I needed to go and because I’m of age and have some disability they Romy around on a car to make sure I got to where I need to be in assisted me with getting my luggage on the train I was very happy with that Cons If some of us have a disability, but do not have an actual scooter or a cheer but a roll walker and a cane we should we should qualify for disability seedings if available Tips Yes, we should take the time to book the appropriate ride earlier than almost at the time of your trip catch the bargains, pay attention to your time and date before booking to avoid paying extra or cancellation
Pros Comfortable
Pros I did not have to drive !!
Pros I hate driving - so I always appreciate being able to get on a train, throw my earphones on and "chill" for the 4.5 hour trip. Cons Arm rests. Even if it's just on one side per chair (window chair has an armrest against the window and the aisle seat have an armrest on the side at the aisle and no armrest in the middle) ...armrest(s) would be the ONE thing that would fully improve any trip on the train. ... Also, the wifi never seems to work as it should on my return trips from Chicago, I don't know why, but it'll either refuse to connect OR it'll connect but still never actually work. Tips When taking the train, just sit back and relax - you're in good hands. I always pack cordless earbuds and a charger to keep my phone charged and play music during my 4.5 hr travel on the train... Also, the train always seems to be cold: so if you're like me, then packing a sweater or small blanket to have on the train in always a good choice. the seats do recline, and there is a surprisingly good amount of leg space - so get comfy (though, always be considerate of any person(s) behind you before reclining, and in general, have common sense and environmental awareness for what/who's around you to ensure you're being respectful of other people's space and whatnot).
Pros Nice seating. Roomy and comfy Cons Due to track traffic arrival time was late. Tips Know that trains may drop you off later than expected
Pros I HATE long car rides... And my my trip on the train was 4·5 hours long one way - I definitely got motion sickness my the time I was on my return trip home... But the trip itself was pleasant: the seats were comfortable and spacious, I was able to charge my phone and the other passengers nearby were very pleasant to sit next to - it was a good trip. Cons My trip was about 4.5 hours long... The one thing that would have made the trip 100% a great experience would have been if there were arm rests.... The only other notable issue I could really complain about was the fact that on the return trip home, the wifi did not connect at all (the previous trip, it worked great but on thia one, for whatever reason, the wifi just did not work at all). Tips My tip for other travelers would be 1. Wear something comfortable - my trip was 4.5 hours long, if yours is also a longer one: put comfort first. My other tip would be: don't be afraid to say hello to your seatmate/those around you... I had a long trip, I did bring earphones for music, but I ended up chatting with some very friendly neighbors for most of the trip instead - made a couple new friends.
Pros Not needing to drive. Cons Nothing Tips No
Pros First time rider. Was my trip back home from visiting Chicago.
Amtrak Carl Sandburg Routes & Network
Amtrak Carl Sandburg’s train network features 48 train routes that connect 10 cities serving 10 stations. On average, Amtrak Carl Sandburg performs about 13 train trips every day. The top cities to which Amtrak Carl Sandburg offers the highest number of daily train service include Chicago and Galesburg.
| City | Daily Trips | Earliest train | Latest train |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 5 | 5:30 PM | 8:38 PM |
| Galesburg | 2 | 7:40 AM | 6:19 PM |
| Macomb | 1 | 7:40 AM | 5:30 PM |
| Quincy | 1 | 7:40 AM | 11:04 AM |
| Naperville | 2 | 7:40 AM | 7:23 PM |
| Mendota | 1 | 7:40 AM | 7:59 AM |
| Kewanee | 1 | 7:40 AM | 6:56 PM |
| Princeton | 1 | 7:40 AM | 6:19 PM |
| Plano | 2 | 7:40 AM | 7:23 PM |
Most popular Amtrak Carl Sandburg routes
The train from Macomb to Chicago is Amtrak Carl Sandburg’s most popular route. Trips from Chicago to Galesburg and Chicago to Quincy are also highly popular.
| Route | Daily Trips | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macomb – Chicago | 1 | 3 hr, 32 min | SEK 188 |
| Chicago – Galesburg | 1 | 2 hr, 41 min | SEK 188 |
| Chicago – Quincy | 1 | 4 hr, 22 min | SEK 238 |
| Macomb – Naperville | 1 | 2 hr, 56 min | SEK 149 |
| Kewanee – Chicago | 1 | 2 hr, 28 min | SEK 159 |
| Mendota – Chicago | 1 | 1 hr, 42 min | SEK 109 |
| Princeton – Chicago | 1 | 2 hr, 4 min | SEK 119 |
| Quincy – Naperville | 1 | 3 hr, 45 min | SEK 208 |
| Galesburg – Naperville | 1 | 2 hr, 19 min | SEK 139 |
Amtrak Carl Sandburg Cancellation Policy
All Amtrak Carl Sandburg tickets can be cancelled for a full refund within the first 24 hours after purchase. If more than 24 hours have passed, the cancellation policy and change fee structure for Amtrak bookings depend on the type of fare you purchased:
Saver Fare tickets: A 25% fee applies for any changes. If you cancel the trip, you will receive an eVoucher worth 75% of the original ticket price.
Value Fare tickets: No change fees and fully refundable up to 15 or more days before departure. If cancelled less than 14 days before departure, a 25% cancellation fee applies.
Flexible, Business and Premium Fare tickets: No change fees and fully refundable if cancelled or changed before departure.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable after the train has departed, so be sure to make your updates as soon as possible if your travel plans change.
If your Amtrak Carl Sandburg ticket is eligible for change or cancellation, you can do that by calling Amtrak’s customer service phone number at 1 (800) 872-7245. To cancel or change your booking online, simply go to www.amtrak.com and click on the “Modify Trip” tab in the upper right corner.
Wanderu also offers an affordable trip protection option by Allianz Global Assistance that you can purchase when booking your tickets. In addition to 24-hour assistance during your trip and coverage for lost or damaged baggage, trip protection can help you get your money back in case you need to cancel or change your trip. You can file a claim to have any Amtrak change or cancellation fees reimbursed if you cannot travel due to covered reasons such as illness, extreme weather, or required work shifts.
Amtrak Carl Sandburg Baggage Policy
Carry-On Baggage
One (1) personal item – max. weight: 25 lbs (12 kg), max. dimensions: 14 x 11 x 7 in (35 x 28 x 18 cm)
Two (2) carry-on items – max. weight: 50 lbs (23 kg), max. dimensions: 28 x 22 x 14 in (71 x 56 x 35 cm)
Additional Carry-On Rules:
Strollers and car seats do not count toward the carry-on limit.
Overweight bags must be repacked so they are under 50 lbs. Boxes may be purchased at staffed stations to aid in repacking.
A $20 excess baggage fee will be charged for each carry-on and personal item above the quantity and size limits. A maximum of two excess bags are permitted per passenger.
Checked Baggage
Two (2) items for free – max. weight: 50 lbs (23 kg), max. dimensions: 75 in / 191 cm (length + width + height)
Up to two (2) additional items: $20 fee per item
Oversized baggage (76-100 inches total): $20 fee per item
Not all Amtrak Carl Sandburg routes offer checked baggage service. Check ahead before traveling.
Additional Checked Baggage Rules:
Your luggage should be checked at least 45 minutes before the train departs.
ID tags are required for all luggage.
All luggage must be in containers that are suitable for transport (storage tubs and plastic bags are not allowed).
Special Items
Bicycles up to 50 lbs (23 kg) may be checked for $20.
Folding bikes (max 34 x 15.5 x 48 inches / 86 x 39 x 122 cm) can be carried on board for free.
Skis & snowboards count as checked baggage if under 50 lbs (23 kg) and 75 linear inches (191 cm).
Wheelchairs, walkers, and CPAP machines can be brought onboard for free.
For more information, check out Amtrak's Baggage Policy page.
Amtrak Carl Sandburg Train Guide & FAQs
Yes, Amtrak Carl Sandburg offers WiFi on their trains. Although most trips with Amtrak Carl Sandburg will have WiFi as advertised, some trains might not come equipped with WiFi and onboard WiFi can lose its connection in rural areas. We recommend you bring a book or download a movie just to play it safe. Amtrak Carl Sandburg WiFi is generally best used for surfing the web, checking emails and chatting with friends; you shouldn’t count on the WiFi to binge watch your favorite show.
Yes, there are power outlets onboard Amtrak Carl Sandburg trains. You can generally find one or two sockets per row of seats, so be a good traveller and check if your seat neighbor might want to charge up their devices as well. With the onboard power outlets, you can charge both a computer and USB devices with a USB power adapter that typically comes with most phones and tablets.
Since Amtrak Carl Sandburg might sometimes use replacement train vehicles, not all trips are guaranteed to have power points. We recommend bringing a power bank to charge your phone for all trips over 2 hours, just in case.
On a typical day, Amtrak Carl Sandburg has 13 scheduled train trips in total. However, the exact departure and arrival times vary depending on the day and route. The best way to find the exact schedule for your trip is to use the search tool on this page.
No, Amtrak Carl Sandburg does not offer will call tickets. You should purchase your tickets online and make sure you have everything you need to board before you arrive at the station.
Yes, Amtrak Carl Sandburg requires you to present an ID to an agent to be allowed to board the train. Make sure you have identification issued by a government agency that meets the carrier’s requirements. Alternative IDs, such as a college ID, won’t work.
Yes, there are bathrooms on Amtrak Carl Sandburg trains. The bathrooms are pretty basic and include a toilet, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Most bathrooms don’t have running water. As you will be using a bathroom on a moving vehicle, please use caution and hold on to a rail at all times.
Amtrak Carl Sandburg provides snacks to satisfy your hunger during your travels. Be sure to pack a credit card and some cash in case you get hungry.
Amtrak Carl Sandburg does not require a printed ticket to board the train. Instead, an eTicket is sent to you via email when you make your reservation. You can use your smartphone to show this eTicket to the ticketing agent as you board.
Amtrak Carl Sandburg goes the extra distance to deliver premium features to its customers.
Do you find yourself squished in a regular seat or just love having extra room to sprawl out? Well you’re in luck as Amtrak Carl Sandburg offers extra legroom seating. Since there is no standard of what extra legroom is, the extra space you get may vary between train lines, but getting extra is always good.
Yes, Amtrak Carl Sandburg allows minors 13-16 years of age to travel unaccompanied, with restrictions. Children aged 12 and under must travel with another person who is at least 18 years old.
Tickets for unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online and must be booked by calling Amtrak at +1 (800) 872-7245.
Cheap Amtrak Carl Sandburg tickets recently found on Wanderu
With 13 trips per day on Amtrak Carl Sandburg, there are a lot of great deals to uncover for the bargain hunter, and Amtrak Carl Sandburg tickets start at just SEK 49.55. Check out some of the latest and greatest deals snatched up by Wanderu users.
- Macomb – Chicago
Travel date Oct 31, 2026
Lowest price SEK 188
- Kewanee – Galesburg
Travel date Oct 30, 2026
Lowest price SEK 50
- Chicago – Galesburg
Travel date Nov 3, 2026
Lowest price SEK 188
- Macomb – Galesburg
Travel date Oct 30, 2026
Lowest price SEK 59
- Princeton – Chicago
Travel date Oct 31, 2026
Lowest price SEK 119
- La Grange – Naperville
Travel date Oct 30, 2026
Lowest price SEK 69
- Kewanee – Chicago
Travel date Oct 31, 2026
Lowest price SEK 159
- Chicago – Quincy
Travel date Nov 3, 2026
Lowest price SEK 238
- Macomb – Quincy
Travel date Oct 30, 2026
Lowest price SEK 69
- Mendota – Chicago
Travel date Oct 31, 2026
Lowest price SEK 109
How do I get the best deal on Amtrak Carl Sandburg tickets?
Wanderu is the best place to score cheap Amtrak Carl Sandburg tickets with the lowest available fares every day. Plus, you can compare Amtrak Carl Sandburg prices with trips offered by other train companies to be sure you’re getting the best deal on your tickets!
Pro travelers know that booking your ticket well in advance is key to finding the lowest price. Ticket prices normally go up the closer you get to the travel date, so don’t miss out on a good deal when you see one. If you can be flexible with your travel date, you can also get cheap tickets by traveling on weekdays instead of weekends.
When you’re ready to book, type your departure city and destination city in the search bar above, select your travel date, and let Wanderu work its magic to show you all of the best bus and train ticket prices available for your trip. Pick the ticket that’s best for your budget, schedule, and preferences, and complete the booking right on Wanderu to secure your great deal.
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