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.
Trip Summary
2 trains operate daily from Champaign to Salt Lake City. The train trip from Champaign to Salt Lake City is usually about 41 hours and 50 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 39 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 1241 mi (1997 km) |
| Fastest train | 39h 45m |
| Lowest price | $184.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Champaign to Salt Lake City?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Champaign to Salt Lake City. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 1d 17h 50m | $184.50 |
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 Champaign to Salt Lake City every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $184.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Champaign and Salt Lake City is approximately 1241 miles, or 1997 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 41 hours and 50 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 39 hours and 45 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.
Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Champaign to Salt Lake City. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Champaign at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Champaign 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 Salt Lake City 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.
Salt Lake City
A city shrouded in a mystical veil to most visitors, Salt Lake City stands among one of the most culturally unique destinations in the U.S. Salt Lake City offers tourists a unique chance to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Temple Square is the best place to do so. Housing the Salt Lake Temple along with other significant historic buildings, the square will take you back to the earliest days of the city, immersing you in a unique cultural experience. While here, don’t miss out on the chance to visit the Great Salt Lake itself and to dive into its cool and refreshing water.
Salt Lake City features a diverse food scene, with Mexican food receiving a lot of attention. Those who wish to enjoy the best Mexican dishes in town could try Red Iguana. For travelers who are simply looking for the best burgers, Crown Burgers’ char-broiled patties will certainly be a great choice.
The Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub is the central transportation hub in the city. It is currently served by several rail services such as Amtrak, TRAX, and FrontRunner. Travelers can also catch Greyhound buses at the station. The Salt Lake City International Airport is the main airport for the city. Located about 4 miles west of Downtown, the airport is a major gateway to the Mountain West and the West Coast region.
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 Salt Lake City?
Image credit: vxla
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Garrett
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 340 S 600 W
The Amtrak Station is a part of Salt Lake Central Station, the principal transportation hub in Salt Lake City. The station is within walking distance from the Bus Terminal, allowing you to easily transfer to bus service on Amtrak Thruway or Jefferson Lines. Along with UTA commuter rail, the station serves Amtrak’s California Zephyr on its journey from Emeryville to Chicago. A park-and-ride lot is available across the street, and travelers can rent bikes from the on-site bicycle sharing service, Greenbike. However you get around town, you’ll appreciate the convenience of the Amtrak station, located less than a mile from the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.
All train stations in Salt Lake City:
340 S 600 W
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Salt Lake City to Champaign?
Search Train Tickets
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more