The cheapest and fastest trains from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
£245
Average price
£328
Fastest journey
22 h 15 m
Average duration
23 h 8 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
1368 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL will cost around £328 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £245.
Of the 6 trains that leave Boston, MA for Chicago, IL every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 1368 km distance in an average of 23 h 8 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 22 h 15 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 d 2 h 25 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
449 Lake Shore Limited12:5022h22South Station, Boston, MA10:12Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2451One-way0 changes
449 Lake Shore Limited12:5722h15Back Bay station, Boston, MA10:12Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2451One-way0 changes
449 Lake Shore Limited · 49 Lake Shore Limited12:5722h15Back Bay station, Boston, MA10:12Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2651One-way1 change
449 Lake Shore Limited · 49 Lake Shore Limited12:5022h22South Station, Boston, MA10:12Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2651One-way1 change
40 Floridian+
2271 NextGen Acela7:2026h25Back Bay station, Boston, MA8:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£4731One-way1 change
449 Lake Shore Limited · 49 Lake Shore Limited12:5722h15Back Bay station, Boston, MA10:12Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2651One-way1 change
449 Lake Shore Limited12:5722h15Back Bay station, Boston, MA10:12Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2451One-way0 changes
449 Lake Shore Limited12:5022h22South Station, Boston, MA10:12Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2451One-way0 changes
449 Lake Shore Limited · 49 Lake Shore Limited12:5022h22South Station, Boston, MA10:12Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2651One-way1 change
40 Floridian+
2271 NextGen Acela7:2026h25Back Bay station, Boston, MA8:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£4731One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Boston, MA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £62. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 9m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.4 - 1.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £62, and a train costs an average of £66.
Distance: 1368 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£305 Average Price | £165 Average Price | £152 Average Price Cheapest |
22h 45m Average total duration 22h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 9m Average total duration Fastest 3h 9m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 25h 5m Average total duration 24h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.4 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 4.1 - 8.2kg CO2 emissions | 1.4 - 3.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Boston, MA to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Boston, MA to Chicago, IL trains for today, Sunday 24 May. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
449 Lake Shore Limited · 49 Lake Shore Limited | 12:50 South Station, Boston, MA | 22h22 | 10:12 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
449 Lake Shore Limited | 12:50 South Station, Boston, MA | 22h22 | 10:12 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 changesdirect | |
449 Lake Shore Limited | 12:57 Back Bay station, Boston, MA | 22h15 | 10:12 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 changesdirect | |
449 Lake Shore Limited · 49 Lake Shore Limited | 12:57 Back Bay station, Boston, MA | 22h15 | 10:12 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
| Monday 25 May | |||||
2271 NextGen Acela+ 40 Floridian | 7:15 South Station, Boston, MA | 26h30 | 8:45 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
2271 NextGen Acela+ 40 Floridian | 7:20 Back Bay station, Boston, MA | 26h25 | 8:45 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Boston, MA to Chicago, IL by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL
Trains from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL run on average 5 times per day, taking around 22h 15m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £66 but you can travel from only £45 by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:10, the last at 21:30. The fastest train covers the 1368 km distance in 22h 15m.
Distance 1368 km |
Average train duration 22h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price £66 |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 22h 15m |
First train 6:10 |
Last train 21:30 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 56 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Boston, MA and Chicago, IL from £45. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Boston, MA to Chicago, IL train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Chicago, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL
- 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via Atlantic Avenue.
- Legal Sea Foods
- Tavern in the Square
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, restrooms.
- $0.50
- InterContinental Boston
- The Langham, Boston
- Boston Harbor Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-5 for Amtrak services
- Hall 2: platforms 6-13 for MBTA Commuter Rail services
- Bus terminal located on the upper level.
- Subway: Red Line
- Bus: Several lines available
- Commuter Rail: Multiple lines
- 5:00 AM - 1:00 AM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available nearby with several garages in the vicinity.
- Sorellina
- Atlantic Fish Company
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $0.50
- Copley Square Hotel
- The Westin Copley Place
- Fairmont Copley Plaza
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Enterprise
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-3 for Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail
- Hall 2: Orange Line subway platforms
- Subway: Orange Line
- Bus: Several lines available
- Commuter Rail: Framingham/Worcester Line, Franklin Line, Needham Line, Providence/Stoughton Line
- 5:00 AM - 12:00 AM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Departures can be made outside of opening hours. Access via Canal Street.
- The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
- Lou Mitchell's
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- The Kimpton Gray Hotel
- JW Marriott Chicago
- W Chicago - City Center
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, Amtrak services
- Hall 2: Metra services
- Hall 3: food court and retail shops
- Bus: Several lines available
- CTA: Blue Line, Pink Line
Most popular train connections from Boston, MA
More options for your journey from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL
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