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Trip Summary
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Princeton to Mendota. Traveling by train from Princeton to Mendota usually takes 3 hours and 5 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Carl Sandburg train can make the trip in 21 minutes.
| Distance | 22 mi (35 km) |
| Fastest train | 0h 21m |
| Lowest price | $3.00 |
| Trains per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Princeton to Mendota?
There are 4 train lines with service from Princeton to Mendota. Amtrak is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 7h 12m | $47.25 |
| Amtrak Carl Sandburg | 1 | 0h 21m | $3.00 |
| Amtrak Illinois Zephyr | 1 | 0h 21m | $3.00 |
| Amtrak Southwest Chief | 1 | 0h 21m | $6.00 |
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 Princeton to Mendota every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $34.
The Amtrak Carl Sandburg, named after the Pulitzer-winning author, is a sister service to the Illinois Zephyr. Both operate daily services between Chicago and Quincy with additional stops in Naperville and Kewanee. Whether you buy a coach class or business class ticket, you'll have plenty of legroom and complimentary WiFi, plus access to refreshments at the onboard cafe.
The Illinois Zephyr is a passenger train operated by Amtrak, running between Quincy and Chicago. Taking the train from Princeton to Mendota is a comfortable option, and tickets on this route cost on average. The Illinois Zephyr and its sister train, the Carl Sandburg, serve one of Amtrak's most popular lines. The train features amenities such as airline-style coach seating, a cafe on board, power outlets, restrooms, and Wi-Fi.
The Southwest Chief is a passenger train operated by America’s largest train service, Amtrak. The full route travels over 2,200 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, which takes over 43 hours. The train covers the stretch from Princeton to Mendota in about 0 hours and 21 minutes. In addition to standard Coach Class seats, the Southwest Chief offers several sleeper cabin options on longer journeys. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief is consistently ranked as one of the most scenic train routes in America, thanks to the stunning views of the Painted Desert, the Red Cliffs of Sedona, and the Grand Canyon you’ll see from your train window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains departing from Princeton to Mendota 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 Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Princeton at 8:00am 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 scheduled trains on most days. 3 of these are direct connections to Mendota. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Mendota to Princeton.
City Information
Station Information
Where is the train station in Princeton?
Main departure station: 107 Bicentennial Dr
There is one train station in Princeton.
All train stations in Princeton:
107 Bicentennial Dr
Where is the train station in Mendota?
Main arrival station: 783 Main St
Mendota has one train station.
All train stations in Mendota:
783 Main St
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