Nashville to Chicago train
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:
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Nashville to Chicago. Traveling by train from Nashville to Chicago usually takes 9 hours and 49 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 398 mi (640 km) |
| Fastest train | 9h 45m |
| Lowest price | $132.00 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from Nashville to Chicago
Average prices by travel date
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Nashville to Chicago?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Nashville to Chicago. 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 | 1 | 9h 50m | $132.00 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from Nashville to Chicago every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $132.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Nashville and Chicago is approximately 398 miles, or 640 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 49 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 45 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.
Trains departing from Nashville to Chicago tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. 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 Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Nashville at 10:00pm and arrives in Chicago around 9 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Chicago 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 Chicago to Nashville.
City Information
Nashville
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Nashville may be the capital of the state of Tennessee, but it’s actually much more famous as the country music capital of the world. If you are a fan of country music, or music in general, Nashville is a must-visit destination. Here you can visit several one-of-a-kind museums dedicated to the genre and attend amazing live performances every day at pretty much every bar or venue across town.
There are two places that you absolutely must visit while you’re in town: the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum (for obvious reasons), and the legendary Grand Ole Opry House, known as country’s most famous stage. Once you get those out of the way, head over to Broadway and snatch yourself a pair of cowboy boots before embarking on a tour of the many bars and restaurants that make up Nashville’s most famous street.
And if you’re looking to escape the country-ness of it all, you might want to head over to East Nashville where you will find hip new restaurants and bars full of young and artistic crowds. It’s definitely worth checking out the area, if only for the several Insta-ready murals you will find there.
While there is no Amtrak train service that goes to Nashville, there are several bus carriers that serve the city and the main bus station is located very conveniently downtown, not too far from all the hustle and bustle of Music City. The Nashville International Airport is located on the outskirts of the city, but there is a direct bus transit service that will take you from there all the way to the heart of town.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Nashville?
Main departure station: Greyhound: Bus Station
The primary bus station in Nashville is in the heart of the SoBro (“South of Broadway”) neighborhood, surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and music venues. From this station, you can catch Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, and Amtrak Thruway buses offering trips to destinations throughout the United States. To make traveling stress-free, this station is open 24 hours a day and includes restrooms, vending machines, and charging stations for your phone.
All train stations in Nashville:
Greyhound: Bus Station
Where is the train station in Chicago?
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attribution
Main arrival 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
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Chicago to Nashville?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Nashville
- Train from Nashville to New Orleans
$286+
- Train from Nashville to Boston
$421+
- Nashville to Portland Train
$309+
- Train from Nashville to St Louis
$180+
- Train from Nashville to Charlotte
$124+
- Train from Nashville to New York
$363+
- Nashville to Memphis Train
$237+
- Nashville to Dallas Train
$210+
- Nashville to Seattle Train
$447+
Continue by train from Chicago
Check out these popular routes
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.