Cheap train tickets from Chicago to Erie
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:
Chicago to Erie Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Chicago to Erie?
There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Chicago to Erie.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceNOK 960.43 | Avg. PriceNOK 906.35 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration17h 10m | Duration8h 48m |
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Chicago to Erie. Traveling by train from Chicago to Erie usually takes 8 hours and 51 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Lake Shore Limited train can make the trip in 8 hours and 48 minutes.
| Distance | 388 mi (624 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 48m |
| Lowest price | NOK 550.98 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Lake Shore Limited |
| Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from Chicago to Erie
Average train ticket prices from Chicago to Erie by month
Which train should you take from Chicago to Erie?
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited is the one and only train line which connects Chicago to Erie. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Lake Shore Limited | 1 | 8h 52m | NOK 980.43 |
The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited is an overnight train that runs along some of the best shorelines in the U.S., connecting New York City and Boston with Chicago. The service provides top-tier amenities to its passengers, including free WiFi and dining onboard. The Lake Shore Limited departs from Union Station in Chicago and arrives at 125 W 14th St in Erie. The route takes about 8 hours and 52 minutes and ticket prices start at NOK 551.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Chicago to Erie
The distance between Chicago and Erie is approximately 388 miles, or 624 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 51 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 48 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.
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Chicago to Erie. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Saturday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Chicago at 9:00pm and arrives in Erie around 8 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Erie with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Erie 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.
Erie
Image credit: Unsplash
Named for the Great Lake it sits upon, Erie is one of Pennsylvania's most picturesque cities. Erie is about halfway between Buffalo and Cleveland and about two hours north of Pittsburgh.
One of the most popular spots to visit, Presque Isle State Park, is a curved peninsula that extends into Lake Erie and creates 11 miles of beaches. Swim on the beaches, birdwatch near some of its lagoons, or tour the Presque Isle Lighthouse for a full day of lakeside exploring. Then, head up to the Port Erie Bicentennial Tower on the bayfront for epic panoramic views of the park and lake beyond.
Discover the city's buzzing nightlife by visiting downtown Erie, where you'll find numerous restaurants, bars, and clubs. Go big with a concert at Erie Insurance Arena, or watch a horse race at the Presque Isle Downs & Casino.
Barons Bus Lines and Jefferson Lines provide affordable bus transportation from Erie to Cleveland, Columbus, Buffalo, and beyond. The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited runs from Chicago through Erie, onward to Boston and New York City. Erie International Airport has a handful of flights to Charlotte and Chicago, but if you're flying from Erie, you'll find more destinations available from Buffalo or Cleveland's airports.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Chicago?
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attribution
Main departure station: Union Station
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:
Union Station
Where is the train station in Erie?
Main arrival station: 125 W 14th St
Erie has one train station.
All train stations in Erie:
125 W 14th St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Erie to Chicago?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Chicago
- Chicago to Denver
NOK 1,913+
- Chicago to Miami
NOK 2,998+
- Train from Chicago to Atlanta
NOK 3,379+
- Train from Chicago to Springfield
NOK 2,494+
- Chicago to Detroit Train
NOK 697+
- Chicago to East Lansing Train
NOK 518+
- Chicago to Flint Train
NOK 568+
- Chicago to Holland Train
NOK 505+
- Train from Chicago to New Buffalo
NOK 202+
- Train from Chicago to Saint Paul
NOK 1,041+
- Train from Chicago to St Louis
NOK 559+
- Train from Chicago to Buffalo
NOK 1,319+
- Train from Chicago to Niagara Falls
NOK 1,274+
- Chicago to Philadelphia Train
NOK 2,276+
- Chicago to Pittsburgh
NOK 1,123+
- Chicago to Columbus Train
NOK 435+
- Chicago to Milwaukee Train
NOK 285+
Continue by train from Erie
- Train from Erie to Los Angeles
NOK 4,857+
- Erie to Denver
NOK 3,362+
- Train from Erie to Chicago
NOK 1,355+
- Train from Erie to Boston
NOK 1,061+
- Train from Erie to Baltimore
NOK 2,629+
- Train from Erie to Detroit
NOK 1,498+
- Train from Erie to St Louis
NOK 4,326+
- Train from Erie to Buffalo
NOK 341+
- Erie to New York Train
NOK 1,342+
- Erie to Rochester Train
NOK 411+
- Erie to Syracuse Train
NOK 582+
- Train from Erie to Cleveland
NOK 270+
- Train from Erie to Philadelphia
NOK 2,073+
- Erie to Seattle
NOK 7,371+
- Train from Erie to Milwaukee
NOK 1,625+
Check out these popular routes
- Montreal to Québec Train
NOK 493+
- Québec to Montreal
NOK 481+
- New Haven to New York Train
NOK 448+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New York
NOK 1,058+
- Miami to Tampa Train
NOK 587+
- Chicago to Detroit Train
NOK 697+
- Train from Chicago to Saint Paul
NOK 1,041+
- Boston to Providence Train
NOK 234+
- New York to New Haven Train
NOK 536+
- Train from New York to Boston
NOK 1,349+
- Train from New York to Providence
NOK 1,216+
- Train from Portland to Seattle
NOK 484+
- Seattle to Portland Train
NOK 3,116+
- Seattle to New York Train
NOK 6,827+
- Train from Seattle to Philadelphia
NOK 6,075+
- Train from Seattle to Vancouver
NOK 464+
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.