How much does a train ticket cost from Alton to Chicago?

The cheapest train tickets from Alton to Chicago start from £20. The average price for this train route is around £36. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Alton to Chicago?

The average train journey time from Alton to Chicago is 4h 19m, covering a distance of 243 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 3h 11m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the Alton to Chicago route?

Several major train operators run on this route with 4 trains available per day.

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Alton to Chicago?

The earliest train from Alton to Chicago departs at 05:14. And the latest train departs at 18:24.

Train Alton to Chicago from £19 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures from Alton to Chicago on 13 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	15:39	Alton Station	4h 21m	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	08:56	Alton Station	4h 48m	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	18:24	Alton Station	4h 19m	22:43	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	18:24	Alton Station	4h 19m	22:43	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Alton to Chicago on 14 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	07:21	Alton Station	4h 19m	11:40	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	07:21	Alton Station	4h 19m	11:40	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:56	Alton Station	4h 48m	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Alton to Chicago on 15 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	18:24	Alton Station	4h 19m	22:43	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	07:21	Alton Station	4h 19m	11:40	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:56	Alton Station	4h 48m	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Alton to Chicago on 16 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	18:24	Alton Station	4h 19m	22:43	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	07:21	Alton Station	4h 19m	11:40	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	07:21	Alton Station	4h 19m	11:40	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Alton to Chicago on 17 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	18:24	Alton Station	4h 19m	22:43	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	07:21	Alton Station	4h 19m	11:40	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	07:21	Alton Station	4h 19m	11:40	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Alton to Chicago on 18 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	07:21	Alton Station	4h 19m	11:40	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:56	Alton Station	4h 48m	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:56	Alton Station	4h 48m	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Alton to Chicago on 19 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	05:14	Alton Station	4h 11m	09:25	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:56	Alton Station	4h 48m	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	15:39	Alton Station	4h 21m	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	18:24	Alton Station	4h 19m	22:43	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 13:06 CST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Alton to Chicago

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 4 hours 19 minutes and with fares starting at just £20, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

4train per day

4h 19mAverage duration

243 milesDistance

36kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average price£70 - £70	Average duration4h 19m	CO₂ emissions 10kg CO₂e
Train	Average price£20 - £178	Average duration4h 19m	CO₂ emissions 36kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55,639 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5639 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at £20

Amtrak Alton Chicago recent customer reviews

On time service

Brian N.

7 August 2025

It was quiet and there was plenty of leg room

Rosa L.

5 November 2023

Very good

Bonnie K.

5 July 2023

US train companies: Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak Acela, NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Iryo

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Alton, US to Chicago by train

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.

How much does a train ticket cost from Alton to Chicago?
The cheapest train tickets from Alton to Chicago start from £20. The average price for this train route is around £36. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Alton to Chicago?
The average train journey time from Alton to Chicago is 4h 19m, covering a distance of 243 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 3h 11m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the Alton to Chicago route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 4 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Alton to Chicago?
The earliest train from Alton to Chicago departs at 05:14. And the latest train departs at 18:24.

Find cheapest prices for trains

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

10/12

£40

11/12

£40

Today

£67

13/12

£49

14/12

£40

15/12

£28

16/12

£28

17/12

£28

The cheapest trip from Alton, US to Chicago was searched and found on 15 Dec 2025 with a price of £28

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Alton, US to Chicago as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from £28 to £222 for a train ticket from Alton, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £28, which is on 2025-12-15.

What's the cheapest way to go from Alton, US to Chicago?

The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle type	Travel time	Avg price	Daily departures
Vehicle typeBus	Travel time4h 19m	Avg price£70	Daily departures1
Vehicle typeTrain	Travel time4h 19m	Avg price£36	Daily departures4

The best way to travel between Alton, US and Chicago is by train. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost £36 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from £20. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Chicago, choose the train, as it will take you from Alton, US to Chicago in about 4h 19m – that's the fastest way to get there!