How much is the train ticket from Chicago to Carbondale?

The cheapest train tickets from Chicago to Carbondale start from R 505. The average price for this train route is around R 791. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Chicago to Carbondale?

The average train journey time from Chicago to Carbondale is 5h 44m, covering a distance of 482 km. The quickest train can get you there in 5h 16m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the Chicago to Carbondale 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 Chicago to Carbondale?

The earliest train from Chicago to Carbondale departs at 08:15. And the latest train departs at 20:05.

Train Chicago to Carbondale from R 467 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 12 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	9h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	9h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 13 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 14 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	17h 34m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 15 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 16 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 17 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 19 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 44m	01:49	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 8:52 PM CST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Chicago to Carbondale

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach Carbondale. The journey takes about 5 hours 44 minutes and with fares starting at just R 505, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5train per day

5h 44mAverage duration

482 kmDistance

44kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 540 - R 6 071	Average duration9h 5m	CO₂ emissions 12kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 505 - R 3 636	Average duration5h 44m	CO₂ emissions 44kg 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 R 505

Amtrak Chicago Carbondale recent customer reviews

Some kind of weird announcements were going off fairly regularly and loud. I think it was something that the train employee was getting and sounded like warnings of someone or something on the tracks ahead. very annoying. this was my first ride on Amtrak and it was kinda bumpy. Too bumpy to try and write something. After a while it got a touch cool. At first it was a bit noisy with people talking kinda loud. Could have used arm rests.

Charles F.

17 May 2023

Enjoyed the trip

Fredric L.

1 October 2024

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Chicago to Carbondale 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 Chicago to Carbondale?
The cheapest train tickets from Chicago to Carbondale start from R 505. The average price for this train route is around R 791. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Chicago to Carbondale?
The average train journey time from Chicago to Carbondale is 5h 44m, covering a distance of 482 km. The quickest train can get you there in 5h 16m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the Chicago to Carbondale 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 Chicago to Carbondale?
The earliest train from Chicago to Carbondale departs at 08:15. And the latest train departs at 20:05.

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 606

11/12

R 882

Today

R 969

13/12

R 865

14/12

R 1 090

15/12

R 865

16/12

R 709

17/12

R 606

The cheapest trip from Chicago to Carbondale was searched and found on 10 Dec 2025 with a price of R 606

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

You can expect to pay from R 606 to R 7 572 for a train ticket from Chicago to Carbondale based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 606, which is on 2025-12-17.

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

The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle type	Travel time	Avg price	Daily departures
Vehicle typeBus	Travel time9h 5m	Avg priceR 1 196	Daily departures2
Vehicle typeTrain	Travel time5h 44m	Avg priceR 791	Daily departures5

The best way to travel between Chicago and Carbondale 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 791 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 Carbondale, choose the train, as it will take you from Chicago to Carbondale in about 5h 44m – that's the fastest way to get there!