Cheap train tickets from Carbondale to Mattoon
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
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.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Trip Summary
You can pick from 3 daily train trips between Carbondale and Mattoon. The average train journey from Carbondale to Mattoon takes 2 hours and 4 minutes, but some Amtrak Illini Service train trips are as short as 2 hours and 3 minutes.
Distance | 130 mi (209 km) |
Fastest train | 2h 3m |
Lowest price | $10.00 |
Trains per day | 3 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak Illini Service |
Train lines | 3 |

Train service from Carbondale to Mattoon
- Amtrak City of New Orleans tickets: $15 one-way
- Amtrak Illini Service tickets: $10 one-way
- Amtrak Saluki tickets: $10 one-way
Price trends for trains from Carbondale to Mattoon
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Carbondale to Mattoon?
There are 3 train lines with service from Carbondale to Mattoon. There is only one daily train on each service.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak City of New Orleans | 1 | 2h 6m | $18.20 |
Amtrak Illini Service | 1 | 2h 4m | $10.33 |
Amtrak Saluki | 1 | 2h 4m | $10.00 |
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 Carbondale to Mattoon. 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.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Carbondale to Mattoon
Trains from Carbondale to Mattoon are the most crowded on Thursday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Carbondale at 3:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. 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 3 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Carbondale to Mattoon.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Mattoon to Carbondale.
City Information
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Carbondale?
Main departure station: 401 S Illinois Ave
There is one train station in Carbondale.
All train stations in Carbondale:
401 S Illinois Ave
Where is the train station in Mattoon?
Main arrival station: 1718 Broadway Ave
Mattoon has one train station.
All train stations in Mattoon:
1718 Broadway Ave
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Mattoon to Carbondale?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Carbondale
Continue by train from Mattoon
Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus 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 bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
- Train Tickets
- United States
- Illinois
- Mattoon
- Carbondale to Mattoon