How much is the train ticket from Carbondale to Chicago?

The cheapest train tickets from Carbondale to Chicago start from R 505. The average price for this train route is around R 773. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Carbondale to Chicago?

The average train journey time from Carbondale to Chicago is 5h 57m, covering a distance of 482 km. The quickest train can get you there in 4h 30m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the Carbondale to Chicago route?

Several major train operators run on this route, with 5 trains available per day.

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

The earliest train from Carbondale to Chicago departs at 03:16. And the latest train departs at 16:15.

Train Carbondale to Chicago from R 502 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures from Carbondale to Chicago on 12 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest

Next departures from Carbondale to Chicago on 13 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Carbondale to Chicago on 14 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	10h 42m	14:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	10h 42m	14:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Carbondale to Chicago on 15 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	10h 42m	14:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Carbondale to Chicago on 16 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	10h 42m	14:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Carbondale to Chicago on 17 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	10h 42m	14:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	10h 42m	14:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Carbondale to Chicago on 18 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest

Next departures from Carbondale to Chicago on 19 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Train	16:15	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 30m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
	Train	03:18	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	5h 57m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 12:06 AM CST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Carbondale 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 5 hours 57 minutes and with fares starting at just R 505, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5train per day

5h 57mAverage duration

482 kmDistance

44kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 729 - R 4 152	Average duration9h 30m	CO₂ emissions 12kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 505 - R 3 296	Average duration5h 57m	CO₂ emissions 44kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55 639 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

The service received positive feedback for being a good ride with great service. However, some customers mentioned that there were issues with punctuality regarding the time of arrival.

Amtrak Carbondale Chicago recent customer reviews

It was a good ride and great service.

Donald D.

22 April 2024

Good job for helping me

Brenda D.

22 December 2023

It is good except do not respect the time of arrival.

Mussie Mindaye H.

20 July 2023

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Carbondale to Chicago by train

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

How much is the train ticket from Carbondale to Chicago?
The cheapest train tickets from Carbondale to Chicago start from R 505. The average price for this train route is around R 773. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Carbondale to Chicago?
The average train journey time from Carbondale to Chicago is 5h 57m, covering a distance of 482 km. The quickest train can get you there in 4h 30m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the Carbondale to Chicago route?
Several major train operators run on this route, with 5 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Carbondale to Chicago?
The earliest train from Carbondale to Chicago departs at 03:16. And the latest train departs at 16:15.

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

R 744

11/12

R 1 090

Today

R 1 332

13/12

R 1 833

14/12

R 1 332

15/12

R 744

16/12

R 1 470

17/12

R 1 332

The cheapest trip from Carbondale to Chicago was searched and found on 10 Dec 2025 with a price of R 744

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

You can expect to pay from R 744 to R 6 345 for a train ticket from Carbondale to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 744, which is on 2025-12-15.

What's the cheapest way to go from Carbondale to Chicago?

The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle type	Travel time	Avg price	Daily departures
Vehicle typeBus	Travel time9h 30m	Avg priceR 1 083	Daily departures2
Vehicle typeTrain	Travel time5h 57m	Avg priceR 773	Daily departures5

The best way to travel between Carbondale 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 R 773 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from R 505. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Chicago, choose the train, as it will take you from Carbondale to Chicago in about 5h 57m – that's the fastest way to get there!