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Amtrak Illini Service train tickets—Search & book deals

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About Amtrak Illini Service

Amtrak's Illini Service is one of three long-distance passenger rail routes that comprise Amtrak's Illinois Service. The Illini Service originally started in 1973 to serve an increasing number of college students needing transportation between Champaign and Chicago.

Operating along 310 miles of railroad, the Amtrak Illini Service takes its name from the indiginous Illini tribe. The Illini is the evening commuter service connecting Chicago and Carbondale, while its sister train, the Saluki, operates the morning commuter service. Amtrak Illini has nine stops along the way, including Homewood, Gilman, Champaign, and Centralia.

Like most Amtrak trains, the Illini Service offers a cafe car and the option to book business class seating. You can enjoy complimentary tea and coffee in business class, plus access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago. As the Amtrak Illini serves primarily as a commuter train, you can expect onboard WiFi and individual power outlets to work as you ride.

Amtrak Illini Service uses Siemens Charger locomotives, which meet the highest federal standard with a 90% reduction in emissions compared with older models. This makes the Illini the perfect choice if you value sustainable travel.

The Illini Service has been an official partner of Wanderu since 2015, making it easy to book cheap train tickets for your Illinois travels. You can rest assured that you’re getting the best deal on Amtrak Illini tickets.

Contact Amtrak Illini Service

Phone number:
1 (800) 872-7245

Amtrak Illini Service Amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Extra legroom
  • Loyalty rewards
  • Power outlets
  • Snacks
  • Wifi

Quickview

Amtrak Illini Service train coverage

Daily Trips
22
stations
11
cities
11
countries
1
  • United States

What travelers are saying about Amtrak Illini Service

Here’s what Wanderu users who have booked trips with Amtrak Illini Service had to say about their travel experience.

Traveling During COVID-19

  • “They took COVID safety precautions seriously.”
    92%

Onboard Experience

  • “The WiFi actually worked for the entire trip”
    67%
  • “I’ll travel with them again just for the staff!”
    88%
  • “Really cheap tickets and really good service.”
    95%
  • “The train got there on time.”
    94%
  • “Seats were really comfy and spacious”
    97%
  • “The train was almost suspiciously clean”
    98%

Amtrak Illini Service reviews from Wanderu customers

Overall review score for Amtrak Illini Service Based on 107 reviews

4.7

Ratings (Out of 5)

Comfort
Timeliness
Staff
Value

Amtrak Illini Service passenger reviews

  • AngeloSeptember 8, 2026Carbondale – Homewood

    Pros Visiting my girlfriend Cons Seats add tv maybe

  • RennardMay 21, 2026Chicago – Rantoul

    Pros The peace and quiet Cons Prices are always a bit high Tips Book ahead of the date you’re planning to travel on

  • JamesNovember 10, 2025Carbondale – Champaign

    Pros Comfortable, friendly, both legs of the trip were on time both leaving and arriving. Cons Nothing needs to be improved. Tips Be at your departure station on time. Trains were on schedule and left station right on time.

  • BruceJuly 6, 2025Champaign – Chicago

    Pros good trip good experience Cons nothing Tips no

  • Uma SMarch 13, 2025Champaign – Chicago

    Pros The staff was very professional and train was beat and clean and i=on time. Cons Nothing really. Tips Follow instructions

Amtrak Illini Service Routes & Network

Amtrak Illini Service’s train network features 60 train routes that connect 11 cities serving 11 stations. On average, Amtrak Illini Service performs about 22 train trips every day. The top cities to which Amtrak Illini Service offers the highest number of daily train service include Champaign and Chicago.

Top Cities Served by Amtrak Illini Service
CityDaily TripsEarliest trainLatest train
Champaign44:05 PM6:19 PM
Chicago64:15 PM8:14 PM
Carbondale34:05 PM9:07 PM
Mattoon14:05 PM6:36 PM
Homewood34:05 PM8:14 PM
Kankakee14:05 PM7:24 PM
Effingham14:05 PM6:36 PM
Rantoul24:05 PM7:08 PM
Centralia14:05 PM7:23 PM

Amtrak Illini Service Cancellation Policy

All Amtrak Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service Train Guide & FAQs

Yes, Amtrak Illini Service offers WiFi on their trains. Although most trips with Amtrak Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service has 22 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service 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 Illini Service tickets recently found on Wanderu

With 22 trips per day on Amtrak Illini Service, there are a lot of great deals to uncover for the bargain hunter, and Amtrak Illini Service tickets start at just SEK 29.73. Check out some of the latest and greatest deals snatched up by Wanderu users.

How do I get the best deal on Amtrak Illini Service tickets?

Wanderu is the best place to score cheap Amtrak Illini Service tickets with the lowest available fares every day. Plus, you can compare Amtrak Illini Service 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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