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

The cheapest train tickets from San Diego to Chicago start from R 3 207. The average price for this train route is around R 5 123. 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 3 546 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 12 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 19h	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
14:10	Old Town San Diego	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 19h	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:01	Santa Fe Depot	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:01	Santa Fe Depot	2d 19h	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 13 December
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 14 December
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 19h	13:44	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 15 December
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
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
14:01	Santa Fe Depot	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 16 December
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
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
14:01	Santa Fe Depot	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 17 December
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
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 19h	13:44	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 18 December
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
16:10	Old Town San Diego	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
14:01	Santa Fe Depot	1d 22h	14:42	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
16:01	Santa Fe Depot	2d 20h	14:39	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Last Tuesday at 8:08 PM PST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from San Diego 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 1 day, 22 hours 41 minutes and with fares starting at just R 3 207, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

2train per day

1d 22hAverage duration

2787 kmDistance

254kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 2 320 - R 9 281	Average duration2d 6h	CO₂ emissions 70kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 3 207 - R 22 217	Average duration1d 22h	CO₂ emissions 254kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55 637 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5637 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 3 207

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 3 207. The average price for this train route is around R 5 123. 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

09/12

R 5 673

10/12

R 6 970

Today

R 21 445

12/12

R 5 846

13/12

R 5 777

14/12

R 5 673

15/12

R 5 673

16/12

R 6 538

The cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to Chicago was searched and found on 09 Dec 2025 with a price of R 5 673

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 5 673 to R 24 212 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 5 673, which is on 2025-12-14.