Cheap train tickets from Milwaukee to Champaign

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Milwaukee to Champaign. Traveling by train from Milwaukee to Champaign usually takes 8 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 5 hours and 21 minutes.

Distance: 203 mi (326 km)
Fastest train: 5h 21m
Lowest price: RON 172.52
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Milwaukee to Champaign Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Milwaukee to Champaign?

There are usually 5 daily bus trips available from Milwaukee to Champaign.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceRON 306.27Cheaper	Avg. PriceRON 354.86
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips5
Duration	Duration8h 21m	Duration7h 21mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Milwaukee to Champaign:

Amtrak tickets: RON 173 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Milwaukee to Champaign?

In the last month, train tickets from Milwaukee to Champaign cost about RON 244 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 12 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 106.24 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Milwaukee to Champaign by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Milwaukee to Champaign will cost between RON 216 and RON 383. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Milwaukee to Champaign by month

Ticket prices for the train from Milwaukee to Champaign often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only RON 283. If you're thinking of traveling from Milwaukee to Champaign during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 331 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Milwaukee to Champaign on Wanderu at least 12 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 106.24 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Milwaukee to Champaign?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Milwaukee to Champaign. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	8h 21m	RON 306.28

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 3 Amtrak trains from Milwaukee to Champaign every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from RON 172.52.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Milwaukee to Champaign

There are 3 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 Champaign to Milwaukee. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Milwaukee to Champaign for RON 196.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Milwaukee and Champaign is approximately 203 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 21 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 21 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.

Distance (mi)

203

Distance (km)

326

The earliest train departs Milwaukee at 11:00 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 3:10 PM. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

11:00am

Last train

3:10pm

Trains from Milwaukee to Champaign are the most crowded on Thursday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

Milwaukee

Nestling on the banks of the great Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has some of the most scenic views around, making it every photographer’s perfect destination. Boasting 85 miles of scenic waterfront bike lanes, Milwaukee is the perfect spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sunset together with your friends. It is also the home of the Harley Davidson Museum, a vast waterfront gallery that offers 11 permanent exhibitions. The museum features not only bikes but also special items such as a whole engine room, making it a must-visit spot for bike enthusiasts. If you are not interested in bikes, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, which is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, offers many wondrous shots.

Milwaukee’s famous German bratwursts are a must-try for all visitors, and the best place to enjoy this dish is Usinger’s. Other similar establishments include Mader’s and Milwaukee Public Market. For authentic American eats, Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-In offers amazing sloppy-joe burgers.

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the city’s main transportation hub. Visitors can catch both buses and trains at this location. The city is served by two airports. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the southern edge of the city handles commercial flights, while the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport in the northwest handles private flights.

Champaign

A significant hub for the Silicon Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.

As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colorful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.

The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Milwaukee?

Main departure station: Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-0

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-1

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the major transportation hub for rail and bus travel in Wisconsin. The station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the Midwest. It acts as a gateway for long-distance travel into the American West and also connects Milwaukee to the surrounding Midwest states via the Hiawatha service. Renovated in 2007, the Intermodal Station now also offers a range of intercity bus services from carriers, including Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. Local bus routes and The Hop streetcar service provide convenient local travel around Milwaukee. Located in the city’s downtown, The Intermodal Station has vast retail spaces, several museums, and pleasant waterways all on its doorstep.

All train stations in Milwaukee:

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave
Airport - 5601 S 6th St

Where is the train station in Champaign?

Main arrival station: Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave - CHMAMT-0

The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport center opened in 1999, and now provides bus and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, and local mass transit. Make sure to wait in the correct station building; Champaign’s old train station, dating to 1898, is just across the street. The Illinois Terminal offers short-term parking, fast food, and even meeting spaces and banquet halls. Thanks to the station’s convenient location, some of the best restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign are just a short walk away.

All train stations in Champaign:

Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave

Need a return trip from Champaign to Milwaukee?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.