Cheap train tickets from Carbondale to Normal
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Carbondale to Normal. Traveling by train from Carbondale to Normal usually takes 11 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 42 minutes.
- Distance
- 193 mi (311 km)
- Fastest train
- 7h 42m
- Lowest price
- CZK 958.68
- Trains per day
- 0
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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:
Carbondale to Normal Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Carbondale to Normal?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Carbondale to Normal.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceCZK 2,311.72 | Avg. PriceCZK 1,188.11Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration11h 39m | Duration7h 55mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from Carbondale to Normal:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Carbondale to Normal?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Carbondale to Normal was CZK 1,594.24. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 11 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CZK 3,961.73 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Carbondale to Normal by month
Ticket prices for the train from Carbondale to Normal often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in August when the average ticket price is only CZK 1,743. If you're thinking of traveling from Carbondale to Normal during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CZK 2,658 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Carbondale to Normal on Wanderu at least 11 days ahead of time, you can save about CZK 3,961.73 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Carbondale to Normal?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Carbondale to Normal. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 6 | 11h 39m | CZK 2,311.79 |
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 6 Amtrak trains from Carbondale to Normal every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CZK 958.68.










Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Carbondale to Normal
There are 6 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 Normal to Carbondale. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Carbondale to Normal for CZK 1,155.
Trains per day
6
Direct trains
0
The distance between Carbondale and Normal is approximately 193 miles, or 311 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 42 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.
Distance (mi)
193
Distance (km)
311
The earliest train departs Carbondale at 1:18am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:30am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
1:18am
Last train
7:30am
Trains from Carbondale to Normal 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Thursday
Least crowded
Sunday
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.
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.
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 Normal?
Main arrival station: Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir
Normal has one train station.
All train stations in Normal:
- Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir
Need a return trip from Normal to Carbondale?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Carbondale
- Carbondale to Orlando TrainCZK 10,219+
- Carbondale to Champaign TrainCZK 305+
- Carbondale to Homewood TrainCZK 915+
- Carbondale to Kankakee TrainCZK 806+
- Carbondale to Rockford TrainCZK 2,397+
- Carbondale to Indianapolis TrainCZK 2,222+
- Carbondale to Kansas City TrainCZK 2,135+
- Carbondale to New York TrainCZK 5,730+
- Carbondale to Seattle TrainCZK 8,040+
- Carbondale to Centralia TrainCZK 109+
- Carbondale to Chicago TrainCZK 937+
- Carbondale to Joliet TrainCZK 1,896+
- Carbondale to Mattoon TrainCZK 218+
- Carbondale to Springfield TrainCZK 1,721+
- Carbondale to New Orleans TrainCZK 1,656+
- Carbondale to St Louis TrainCZK 2,222+
- Carbondale to Memphis TrainCZK 741+
- Carbondale to Milwaukee TrainCZK 1,634+
Continue by train from Normal
- Normal to Alton TrainCZK 327+
- Normal to Champaign TrainCZK 1,416+
- Normal to Joliet TrainCZK 545+
- Normal to Springfield TrainCZK 218+
- Normal to Indianapolis TrainCZK 2,113+
- Normal to St Louis TrainCZK 588+
- Normal to Milwaukee TrainCZK 1,416+
- Normal to Carbondale TrainCZK 2,026+
- Normal to Chicago TrainCZK 675+
- Normal to Naperville TrainCZK 1,002+
- Normal to Summit TrainCZK 305+
- Normal to Detroit Train
- Normal to New York TrainCZK 6,035+
Check out these popular routes
- Los Angeles to San Diego TrainCZK 893+
- Los Angeles to Las Vegas TrainCZK 2,724+
- San Diego to Los Angeles TrainCZK 784+
- Boston to Philadelphia TrainCZK 4,532+
- Charlotte to Raleigh TrainCZK 697+
- New York to Montreal TrainCZK 1,983+
- Portland to Seattle TrainCZK 893+
- Seattle to Vancouver TrainCZK 1,569+
- Seattle to Philadelphia TrainCZK 10,981+
- Los Angeles, CA to Las Vegas, NM TrainCZK 2,222+
- Los Angeles to Seattle TrainCZK 4,096+
- Chicago to New York TrainCZK 4,488+
- Portland, ME to Seattle, WA TrainCZK 12,376+
- Buffalo to New York TrainCZK 2,048+
- New York to New Haven TrainCZK 1,373+
- Philadelphia to Boston TrainCZK 4,706+
- Seattle to Baltimore TrainCZK 10,436+
- Seattle, WA to Vancouver, WA TrainCZK 915+

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.




