The cheapest and fastest trains from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL
Cheapest price
£53
Average price
£104
Fastest journey
5 h 30 m
Average duration
6 h 40 m
Trains per day
7
Distance
478 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL will cost around £104 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £53.
Of the 7 trains that leave Chicago, IL for Carbondale, IL every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 478 km distance in an average of 6 h 40 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 30 m .
The slowest trains will take 8 h 50 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.
391 Saluki8:155h30Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL13:45Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£531One-way0 changes
391 Saluki · 59 City Of New Orleans8:1515h34Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL23:49Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£541One-way1 change
393 Illini16:055h30Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL21:35Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£641One-way0 changes
393 Illini · 59 City Of New Orleans16:057h44Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL23:49Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£711One-way1 change
59 City Of New Orleans18:055h44Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL23:49Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£881One-way0 changes
391 Saluki8:155h30Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL13:45Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£531One-way0 changes
393 Illini16:055h30Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL21:35Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£641One-way0 changes
59 City Of New Orleans18:055h44Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL23:49Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£881One-way0 changes
393 Illini · 59 City Of New Orleans16:057h44Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL23:49Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£711One-way1 change
421 Texas Eagle · 8359 AMTRAK14:108h50Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL23:00Carbondale station, Carbondale, IL£1171One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £22. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 29m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £22, and a coach costs an average of £32.
Distance: 478 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£40 Average Price Cheapest | £80 Average Price |
5h 59m Average total duration Fastest 5h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 45m Average total duration 8h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL trains for today, Saturday 13 June. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 13:15 Chicago, IL | 17h34 | 6:49 Carbondale, IL | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 21:05 Chicago, IL | 5h30 | 2:35 Carbondale, IL | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 22:05 Chicago, IL | 5h30 | 3:35 Carbondale, IL | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL by train or coach
Compare train and coach 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.
14 Jun
15 Jun
16 Jun
17 Jun
18 Jun
19 Jun
20 Jun
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL
Trains from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL run on average 7 times per day, taking around 5h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £22 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 01:16, the last at 20:05. The fastest train covers the 478 km distance in 5h 30m.
Distance 478 km |
Average train duration 5h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price £22 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 5h 30m |
First train 1:16 |
Last train 20:05 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 21 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Chicago, IL and Carbondale, IL from £22. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Chicago, IL and Carbondale, IL
- 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
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- Located in the main hall
- The station is an enclosed waiting area without Wi-Fi.
- Bus: Several local bus lines available
Most popular train connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to Carbondale, IL
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