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

The average train ticket price from Chicago to Carbondale is $56. The best way to find train tickets from Chicago to Carbondale is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!

How long is the train trip from Chicago to Carbondale?

A train trip between Chicago and Carbondale is around 5h 30m, although the fastest train will take about 5h 16m. This is the time it takes to travel the 297 miles that separates the two cities.

How many daily trains are there between Chicago and Carbondale?

The number of trains from Chicago to Carbondale can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 4. Some trains are direct while others have layovers. Simplify your train trip from Chicago to Carbondale by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

Trains from Chicago to Carbondale | Amtrak

TodayMay 11

from $52

TomorrowMay 12

TueMay 13

WedMay 14

ThuMay 15

FriMay 16

SatMay 17

SunMay 18

Upcoming Train Schedules

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
Departure time: May 11 at 8:05pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 12 at 1:21am
Destination city: Carbondale
Destination location: Carbondale (Amtrak), IL
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 5h 16m
Departure time: May 11 at 4:05pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 11 at 9:35pm
Destination city: Carbondale
Destination location: Carbondale (Amtrak), IL
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 5h 30m
Departure time: May 11 at 8:05pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 12 at 1:21am
Destination city: Carbondale
Destination location: Carbondale (Amtrak), IL
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 5h 16m
Departure time: May 11 at 4:05pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 12 at 1:21am
Destination city: Carbondale
Destination location: Carbondale (Amtrak), IL
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 9h 16m
Departure time: May 11 at 4:05pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 12 at 1:21am
Destination city: Carbondale
Destination location: Carbondale (Amtrak), IL
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 9h 16m

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Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to Carbondale.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$45 - $152	Average Duration12h 15m	CO₂ emissions 12kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Most eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$37 - $191	Average Duration5h 30m	CO₂ emissions 44kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars	CheapestFastest

Busbud recommends taking the train from Chicago to Carbondale

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach Carbondale. The journey takes about 5 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just $37, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

4train per day

5h 30mAverage Duration

$37Cheapest ticket

44kgCO₂ emissions

Train Chicago to Carbondale: Trip Overview

Please note, this information is subject to change.

Average ticket price$56

Average train trip duration5h 30m

Number of daily trains4

Earliest train departure8:15am

Distance299 miles (481 km)

Latest train departure9:05pm

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55,112 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

Based on 5112 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $37.00

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.

May 17, 2023

Enjoyed the trip

Fredric L.

October 1, 2024

Train and bus companies in US:Amtrak, Brightline

Chicago to Carbondale Train

Busbud helps you find a train from Chicago to Carbondale. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find trains with WiFi and electrical outlets.

We make sure you can find a train service from Chicago to Carbondale from the most reliable train companies operating this trip.

Discover how much the train trip from Chicago to Carbondale will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest train tickets or high-end trains.

Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - Carbondale

How much does a train ticket from Chicago to Carbondale cost?
How long is the train trip from Chicago to Carbondale?
How many daily trains are there between Chicago and Carbondale?

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

05/09

$57

05/10

$41

Today

$52

05/12

No data

05/13

$37

05/14

$29

05/15

No data

05/16

$37

The cheapest trip from Chicago to Carbondale was searched and found on May 14, 2025 with a price of $29

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 $29 to $303 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 $29 which is on 2025-05-14.

About Train Travel

Train Travel Tips

There are many train stations in the world, check it station pages on Busbud to get all information you need.

Regional train? High-speed train? Whichever train to Carbondale you take, you’ll help reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of your trip. As you watch the landscapes unfold before your eyes, you can tell yourself that with this choice, you are making sure they remain protected.

With up to 30x less CO2 emissions for your train journey between Chicago and Carbondale, the train is an ecological alternative to flights or personal cars.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized train travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Chicago to Carbondale.

Did you know?

The magnetic levitation train (Maglev for short) is currently the fastest train in the world. With a speed of 603 km/ h, it is closely followed by the French high-speed train (574.8 km / h) which remains in 2020, the fastest train to date

One of the deepest train stations in the world is in Kiev. Located at a depth of 105 m, it was designed in this way to serve as a shelter in the event of an attack. The second deepest station is in China. Badaling station is located 60 m under the Great Wall of China!

The longest train journey in the world is between Europe and Asia. This long journey starts from Porto in Portugal and crosses the whole European continent to reach Hanoi in Vietnam in 12 days while traveling more than 17,000 km.

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 Time12h 15m	Avg Price$75	Daily Departures5
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time5h 30m	Avg Price$56	Daily Departures4

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 $56 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from $37. 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 30m - that's the fastest way to get there!

Will you be returning to Chicago by train?

Train from Carbondale to Chicago

Top Traveled Train Routes

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Trains tickets from Chicago to Carbondale