Cheap train tickets from Champaign to Effingham
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:
Champaign to Effingham Train Schedule
Trip Summary
You can pick from 3 daily train trips between Champaign and Effingham. The average train journey from Champaign to Effingham takes one hour and 8 minutes, but some Amtrak City of New Orleans train trips are as short as one hour and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 71 mi (114 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 5m |
| Lowest price | RON 22.09 |
| Trains per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak City of New Orleans |
| Train lines | 3 |

Train service from Champaign to Effingham
- Amtrak City of New Orleans tickets: RON 40 one-way
- Amtrak Illini Service tickets: RON 22 one-way
- Amtrak Saluki tickets: RON 22 one-way
What is the price of a train ticket from Champaign to Effingham?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Champaign and Effingham cost RON 24.30, on average. This is about as cheap as train fares get on this route. Booking your trip at least 8 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around RON 0.75 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Champaign to Effingham?
There are 3 train lines with service from Champaign to Effingham. There is only one daily train on each service.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak City of New Orleans | 1 | 1h 5m | RON 49.88 |
| Amtrak Illini Service | 1 | 1h 11m | RON 24.61 |
| Amtrak Saluki | 1 | 1h 7m | RON 36.10 |
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 Champaign to Effingham. 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 Champaign to Effingham
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Champaign to Effingham on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Friday. Friday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Champaign at 10:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00pm. 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 Champaign to Effingham.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Effingham to Champaign.
City Information
Champaign

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Pixabay
A significant hub for the Silicone Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.
As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colorful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.
The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Champaign?

Image credit: Beyond My Ken
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave
The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport center opened in 1999, and now provides bus and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, and local mass transit. Make sure to wait in the correct station building; Champaign’s old train station, dating to 1898, is just across the street. The Illinois Terminal offers short-term parking, fast food, and even meeting spaces and banquet halls. Thanks to the station’s convenient location, some of the best restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign are just a short walk away.
All train stations in Champaign:
Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave
Where is the train station in Effingham?
Main arrival station: 401 W National Ave
Effingham has one train station.
All train stations in Effingham:
401 W National Ave
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Effingham to Champaign?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Champaign
- Train from Champaign to Denver
RON 1,845+
- Champaign to Washington D.C. Train
RON 1,077+
- Train from Champaign to Carbondale
RON 65+
- Champaign to Chicago Train
RON 112+
- Train from Champaign to Glenview
RON 209+
- Champaign to Joliet
RON 247+
- Champaign to Kankakee
RON 55+
- Champaign to Mattoon Train
RON 18+
- Champaign to Normal Train
RON 412+
- Champaign to Springfield Train
RON 394+
- Train from Champaign to New Orleans
RON 937+
- Train from Champaign to Ann Arbor
RON 448+
- Train from Champaign to Detroit
RON 501+
- Champaign to St Louis
RON 420+
- Champaign to New York
RON 1,336+
- Train from Champaign to Memphis
RON 507+
- Train from Champaign to Seattle
RON 2,123+
- Champaign to Milwaukee Train
RON 280+
Continue by train from Effingham
- Train from Alton to Springfield
RON 59+
- Carbondale to Chicago Train
RON 217+
- Champaign to Chicago Train
RON 112+
- Train from Champaign to Glenview
RON 209+
- Train from Chicago to Saint Paul
RON 506+
- Chicago to Milwaukee Train
RON 121+
- Danville to Chicago Train
RON 335+
- Dwight to Chicago Train
RON 82+
- Gilman to Chicago Train
RON 87+
- Homewood to Champaign
RON 103+
- Train from Kankakee to New Orleans
RON 921+
- Lincoln to Chicago
RON 137+
- Train from Mattoon to Chicago
RON 124+
- Mendota to Kansas City
RON 747+
- Quincy to Chicago
RON 181+
- Rantoul to Chicago
RON 144+
- Train from Rockford to Chicago
RON 146+
- Springfield to Chicago Train
RON 197+
Check out these popular routes
- Niagara Falls to Toronto
RON 86+
- Ottawa to Toronto Train
RON 333+
- Train from Toronto to Ottawa
RON 331+
- Montreal to Québec Train
RON 199+
- Montreal to New York Train
RON 361+
- London to Edinburgh Train
RON 333+
- Washington D.C. to Boston
RON 958+
- Train from Chicago to Saint Paul
RON 506+
- Chicago to Milwaukee Train
RON 121+
- Train from Boston to Washington D.C.
RON 1,105+
- Boston to Providence Train
RON 101+
- Saint Paul to Chicago Train
RON 418+
- New York to Hartford Train
RON 171+
- Train from Providence to Boston
RON 98+
- Seattle to New York Train
RON 3,846+
- Train from Milwaukee to Chicago
RON 124+

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
- Effingham
- Champaign to Effingham






