Cheap train tickets from Carbondale to Indianapolis
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Carbondale to Indianapolis. Traveling by train from Carbondale to Indianapolis usually takes 19 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 15 hours and 19 minutes.
| Distance | 217 mi (349 km) |
| Fastest train | 15h 19m |
| Lowest price | $107.00 |
| 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 Indianapolis Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Carbondale to Indianapolis?
There are usually 4 daily bus trips available from Carbondale to Indianapolis.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$218.00 | Avg. Price$96.83Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration19h 27m | Duration14h 32mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from Carbondale to Indianapolis:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Carbondale to Indianapolis?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Carbondale to Indianapolis was $114.00. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 1 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $312.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Carbondale to Indianapolis by travel date
The cost of a one-way train trip from Carbondale to Indianapolis is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about $90 for your ticket.
Average train ticket prices from Carbondale to Indianapolis by month
Ticket prices for the train from Carbondale to Indianapolis often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only $85. If you're thinking of traveling from Carbondale to Indianapolis during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $325 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 Indianapolis on Wanderu at least 1 days ahead of time, you can save about $312.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Carbondale to Indianapolis?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Carbondale to Indianapolis. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 19h 27m | $218.00 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Carbondale to Indianapolis every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $107.










Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Carbondale to Indianapolis
Trains leave the station in Carbondale twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Indianapolis to Carbondale. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Carbondale to Indianapolis for $59.
Trains per day
2
Direct trains
0
The distance between Carbondale and Indianapolis is approximately 217 miles, or 349 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 19 hours and 27 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 15 hours and 19 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)
217
Distance (km)
349
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 Indianapolis are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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.
Busiest
Tuesday
Least crowded
Saturday
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.
Indianapolis



Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.
Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.
Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.
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 Indianapolis?
Main arrival station: Indianapolis Union Station

Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.
All train stations in Indianapolis:
- 350 S Illinois St
Need a return trip from Indianapolis to Carbondale?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Carbondale
- Carbondale to Chicago Train$47+
- Carbondale to Homewood Train$44+
- Carbondale to Memphis Train$41+
- Carbondale to Joliet Train$86+
- Carbondale to Mattoon Train$12+
- Carbondale to Orlando Train
- Carbondale to Rockford Train$106+
- Carbondale to St Louis Train$113+
- Carbondale to Normal Train$92+
- Carbondale to New Orleans Train$128+
- Carbondale to Champaign Train$19+
- Carbondale to Springfield Train$78+
- Carbondale to Milwaukee Train$74+
- Carbondale to New York Train$275+
- Carbondale to Kansas City Train$84+
- Carbondale to Centralia Train$6+
- Carbondale to Kankakee Train$32+
- Carbondale to Seattle Train$755+
Continue by train from Indianapolis
- Indianapolis to Cleveland Train$132+
- Indianapolis, IN to Las Vegas, NV Train$588+
- Indianapolis to Kansas City Train$180+
- Indianapolis to Madison Train$91+
- Indianapolis to Memphis Train$164+
- Indianapolis to Colorado Springs Train
- Indianapolis to Miami Train$354+
- Indianapolis to Dallas Train$227+
- Indianapolis to Los Angeles Train$277+
- Indianapolis to Waterloo Train$127+
- Indianapolis to Atlanta Train$173+
- Indianapolis to Columbus Train$100+
- Indianapolis to Chicago Train$77+
- Indianapolis to Houston Train
- Indianapolis to Charlotte Train$136+
- Indianapolis to Newark Train$271+
- Indianapolis to Orlando Train$303+
- Indianapolis to Carbondale Train$105+
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.




