How much is the train ticket from San Diego to Chicago?

The cheapest train tickets from San Diego to Chicago start from R 3 060. The average price for this train route is around R 3 607. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from San Diego to Chicago?

The average train journey time from San Diego to Chicago is 1d 22h, covering a distance of 2787 km. The quickest train can get you there in 1d 22h and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the San Diego to Chicago route?

Several major train operators run on this route, with 2 trains available per day.

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

The earliest train from San Diego to Chicago departs at 14:01. And the latest train departs at 16:10.

Train San Diego to Chicago from R 2 937 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 26 January
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 27 January
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 28 January
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 19h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 19h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 29 January
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 30 January
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 19h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 19h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 31 January
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 1 February
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 19h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 19h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 2 February
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 5:31 PM PST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from San Diego to Chicago

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Bus stands out as a good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 2 days, 6 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just R 2 156, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

26bus per day

2d 6hAverage duration

2785 kmDistance

70kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 2 156 - R 11 948	Average duration2d 6h	CO₂ emissions 70kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 3 060 - R 28 914	Average duration1d 22h	CO₂ emissions 254kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55 750 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5750 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 3 060

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling from San Diego, CA, US 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 San Diego to Chicago?
The cheapest train tickets from San Diego to Chicago start from R 3 060. The average price for this train route is around R 3 607. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from San Diego to Chicago?
The average train journey time from San Diego to Chicago is 1d 22h, covering a distance of 2787 km. The quickest train can get you there in 1d 22h and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the San Diego to Chicago route?
Several major train operators run on this route, with 2 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from San Diego to Chicago?
The earliest train from San Diego to Chicago departs at 14:01. And the latest train departs at 16:10.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

23/01

R 7 343

24/01

No data

Today

No data

26/01

R 4 719

27/01

R 4 703

28/01

R 5 511

29/01

R 4 703

30/01

R 4 703

The cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to Chicago was searched and found on 27 Jan 2026 with a price of R 4 703

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

You can expect to pay from R 4 703 to R 23 099 for a train ticket from San Diego, CA, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 4 703, which is on 2026-01-27.

What's the cheapest way to go from San Diego, CA, US to Chicago?

The Train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle type	Travel time	Avg price	Daily departures
Vehicle typeBus	Travel time2d 6h	Avg priceR 3 649	Daily departures26
Vehicle typeTrain	Travel time1d 22h	Avg priceR 3 607	Daily departures2

The best way to travel between San Diego, CA, 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 R 3 607 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from R 3 060. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Chicago, choose the train, as it will take you from San Diego, CA, US to Chicago in about 1d 22h – that's the fastest way to get there!