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Cheap train tickets from Chicago to Normal

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Chicago to Normal Train Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Chicago to Normal?

There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Chicago to Normal.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
€55.59
Avg. Price
€29.63
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
3
Daily Trips
5
Duration
Duration
7h 17m
Duration
2h 5m

Trip Summary

5 trains operate daily from Chicago to Normal. The train trip from Chicago to Normal is usually about 2 hours and 6 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Lincoln Service train can get you there in as little as one hour and 58 minutes.

Distance118 mi (190 km)
Fastest train1h 58m
Lowest price€11.59
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Lincoln Service
Train lines3

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Chicago to Normal

(Based on 21 ratings and reviews)

4.8

3.0

Bessie

April 5, 2025- Visiting family

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: The price. Cons: The train needs seatbelts and less delays.

5.0

Rosie

October 4, 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: On time clean. Cons: Distance of entrance into station and boarding. Tips: Get there early.

5.0

Kentrell

June 3, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: Comfort of my seats the atmosphere love it. Cons: Accommodation. Tips: N/A.

5.0

Raúl

March 6, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: punctuality met the times. Cons: Very good everything, I have no comments here. Tips: Using this application is very useful and fast.

5.0

Sharon

September 23, 2022- Couples trip

Amtrak Lincoln Service

Pros: We enjoyed the cafe car. Nice seating….good conversation. Cons: I can’t think of anything! Tips: Don’t bother with upgrades… go to the cafe car!

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What is the price of a train ticket from Chicago to Normal?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Chicago to Normal was €22.37. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around €18.45 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Chicago to Normal by travel date

€80€53€27MayMay

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Chicago to Normal will range from €14 to €71. If you're planning to travel by train to Normal in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Chicago you can find in the next 7 days is €14. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

€45€36€27€18€9JJASONDJFMAM
Mark your calendar for April if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Chicago to Normal. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of €22. If you're planning a trip from Chicago to Normal during November, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about €36 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

€67€53€40€27€133020100

By booking your train trip from Chicago to Normal on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about €18.45 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Chicago to Normal?

There are 3 train lines with service from Chicago to Normal. Amtrak Lincoln Service is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 3 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak12h 6m€24.95
Amtrak Lincoln Service32h 3m€22.19
Amtrak Texas Eagle12h 12m€47.05

  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from Chicago to Normal every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €12.

  • Amtrak Lincoln Service is part of Amtrak's Illinois Service, providing rail transportation throughout Illinois. The Lincoln Service travels 284 miles between St. Louis and Chicago with nine intermediate stops. Amtrak Lincoln trains offer WiFi connectivity, power outlets, business class seating, and a cafe car to ensure passengers have the most comfortable journey possible.

  • Amtrak Texas Eagle train tickets from Chicago to Normal start from €14, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 Amtrak Texas Eagle schedules to Normal. Amtrak Texas Eagle in Chicago leaves from Chicago (Union Station), Illinois . And in Normal trains arrive at Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir .

    From Chicago to Normal train travel on Amtrak Texas Eagle takes 2 hours and 12 minutes. If you are looking to get to Normal faster, Amtrak Texas Eagle offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 1 hours and 58 minutes.

    If you are looking to travel to Normal on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Texas Eagle scheduled trip per day, which will cost for a one-way weekend reservation from Chicago.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Chicago to Normal

The distance between Chicago and Normal is approximately 118 miles, or 190 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 6 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 58 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Trains departing from Chicago to Normal tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Chicago at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 5 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Chicago to Normal.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Normal to Chicago.

City Information

Chicago

Known for its innovative architecture, cultural contributions to jazz and house music, and of course that irresistible deep-dish pizza, the many sights and experiences in Chicago make it one of the best urban vacation destinations for millennials and a top destination in Illinois.

You can't beat the views of the city and Lake Michigan from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower; at over 1,300 feet, this is the highest observation deck in the U.S. Snap that classic selfie with the Bean in Millennium Park, then wander the many museums in nearby Grant Park. Navy Pier is a popular tourist hotspot for its parks, restaurants, and attractions right on Lake Michigan, and baseball fans will find paradise in Wrigleyville, home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and sports bars galore.

Chicago's enormous parks offer plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in gorgeous urban settings. Many companies offer kayak rentals or boat tours on the Chicago River, with special tours running on Saint Patrick's Day, when the entire river is dyed green. When you’re ready to buy some souvenirs from your epic trip, hit the big brand stores on the Magnificent Mile, or shop local in neighborhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theater, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.

Chicago is one of the biggest transportation hubs in the Midwest, and provides easy access to nearby destinations ideal for day trips, as well as international travel from two airports. Thanks to plenty of bus and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.

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 Chicago?

Chicago, IL - Union Station - CHIUST-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

The historic Chicago Union Station is the United States' third busiest train station and a hub for 15 Amtrak train lines with destinations throughout the country. The station also serves bus carriers like Greyhound, Indian Trails and Jefferson Lines, and offers connections to Metra commuter lines. Union Station is also just a quick walk to the nearest Chicago L lines. The current station was built in 1925, to replace the original one dating back to 1881, and today wows visitors with its impressive facade, massive columns, and opulent Great Hall. Located right in downtown and adjacent to the Chicago Loop, Union Station is equipped with many services and amenities, including phone charging stations, shops, and various food and drink options.

All train stations in Chicago:

  • Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

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

Get around town with Moovit

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