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Galesburg to Alton train

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Galesburg - Alton Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 4 daily train trips between Galesburg and Alton. The average train journey from Galesburg to Alton takes 6 hours and 23 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 3 hours and 53 minutes.

Distance142 mi (229 km)
Fastest train3h 53m
Lowest price$44.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Galesburg to Alton

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Brenda

October 10, 2019- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Quick and easy on the way down to Alton. Trip to Alton great. Tried to come home today 10/12 and the train was delayed 3 hours. I was to transfer to a bus and I would have missed that one and then so was supposed to transfer to another bus in Champagne Illinois to get Galesburg and obviously would ha e missed that one. My daughter spent 3 hours driving me to Galesburg and then back to Alton. Cons: Better communication when you purchase a ticket. No where was I told that the bus out of Springfield was a Greyhound and I would need to transfer to a Burlington trailways in Champagne Illinois. The bus number on my ticket could not be found by Greyhound. Very confusing mess to deal with.

Which train should you take from Galesburg to Alton?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Galesburg to Alton. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak46h 24m$65.17

  • 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 4 Amtrak trains from Galesburg to Alton every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $44.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Galesburg to Alton. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between Galesburg and Alton is approximately 142 miles, or 229 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 53 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Galesburg to Alton 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 Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Galesburg at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 2:00pm. 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 4 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Alton to Galesburg.

City Information

Galesburg

Galesburg is best known as the birthplace of writer and poet Carl Sandburg, with the Carl Sandburg State Historic Site erected in his honor. If you love the look of Carl’s boyhood cottage, you can stay in a historic home of your own – several, including the Great House of Galesburg, have been converted into charming bed-and-breakfasts across town.

Galesburg is also known for its historic involvement in the local railroad system, notably connecting Illinois’ largest (at the time) cities, Chicago and Quincy. In fact, the Galesburg Railroad Museum functions solely to preserve and share the history of the railroad industry in Galesburg and Western Illinois. The city even holds an annual festival, the Galesburg Railroad Days, complete with rides, live music, and open-air markets to celebrate the city’s railroad roots. And it’s not just literal railroads– Galesburg was originally founded by abolitionists and became a critical stop to freedom in the Underground Railroad.

Galesburg remains a major railway hub, acting as one of the stops for some of Amtrak’s most popular lines. The Carl Sandburg, Illinois Zephyr, and Southwest Chief all operate daily to connect Galesburg west to Chicago. Meanwhile, the California Zephyr reaches all the way to Los Angeles. Galesburg also has two main bus stations for Greyhound and Burlington Trailways. These carriers provide coverage to Denver, St. Louis, and Moline, which has the closest airport to Galesburg, Quad Cities Airport.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Galesburg?

Main departure station: 225 S Seminary St

There is one train station in Galesburg.

All train stations in Galesburg:

  • 225 S Seminary St

Where is the train station in Alton?

Main arrival station: Multi-Modal Transportation Center

Alton has one train station.

All train stations in Alton:

  • Multi-Modal Transportation Center

Get around town with Moovit

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From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from Alton to Galesburg?

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