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Trip Summary
You can pick from 4 daily train trips between Cincinnati and Galesburg. The average train journey from Cincinnati to Galesburg takes 15 hours and 51 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 10 hours and 39 minutes.
| Distance | 335 mi (539 km) |
| Fastest train | 10h 39m |
| Lowest price | $97.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Cincinnati to Galesburg?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Cincinnati to Galesburg. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 4 | 15h 51m | $148.25 |
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 Cincinnati to Galesburg every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $97.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Cincinnati and Galesburg is approximately 335 miles, or 539 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 15 hours and 51 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 hours and 39 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Cincinnati to Galesburg. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Sunday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Cincinnati at 1:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00am. 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 Galesburg to Cincinnati.
City Information
Cincinnati
A city famous for its idyllic beauty and quaint quarters, Cincinnati is the destination for tourists who wish to stay away from a large crowd. On a bright sunny day in Cincinnati, head over to Eden Park. Encompassing over 183 acres of green space and tree groves, the park lives up to its name, and there are some scenic ponds where you can unwind as well as take a few amazing pictures. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum might sound like a scary place to visit, but its tranquility and amazing landscape design, which was ahead of its time, will make it worth the while to check it out. For those who still crave some liveliness, watching a game at the Great American Ball Park, home of the oldest professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, will be an unforgettable experience.
Cincinnati features a very diverse food scene in spite of its German roots. If you are looking to try out some refreshing Mediterranean dishes, head over to Abigail Street, one of the local favorites. For authentic German dishes, the door at Mecklenburg Gardens welcomes you.
There’s not a central bus station in the city, as each of the different bus carriers serving Cincinnati operates out of a different location. The principal Amtrak train station is the Union Terminal on Western Ave. Cincinnati is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line. The city’s main airport is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is located in Hebron, Kentucky.
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 Cincinnati?
Main departure station: Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave
Cincinnati’s Union Terminal is a living museum and train station with service operated by Amtrak. The art deco train station opened in 1933 and is now part of the Cincinnati Museum Center. Visitors can ogle dinosaur skeletons in the Museum of Natural History and travel back in time to an old-fashioned city street in the Cincinnati History Museum. To serve the 1.4 million annual visitors to these museums, the center offers a coat check, gift shops, and three dining rooms where travelers can stop in for ice cream or a draft beer before boarding their train. Amtrak’s Cardinal line runs through Union Terminal on its route from Chicago to New York, and travelers can travel to other cities along this line, such as Toledo and Cleveland.
All train stations in Cincinnati:
Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave
Where is the train station in Galesburg?
Main arrival station: 225 S Seminary St
Galesburg has one train station.
All train stations in Galesburg:
225 S Seminary St
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