The cheapest and fastest trains from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
£244
Average price
£293
Fastest journey
1 d 22 h
Average duration
2 d 5 h 24 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
2823 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Portland, OR 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 Portland, OR to Chicago, IL will cost around £293 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £244.
Of the 5 trains that leave Portland, OR for Chicago, IL every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 2823 km distance in an average of 2 d 5 h 24 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 22 h .
The slowest trains will take 2 d 22 h 17 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.
28 Empire Builder16:4546h00Portland Union Station, Portland, OR16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2441One-way0 changes
500 Amtrak Cascades · 8 Empire Builder6:4556h00Portland Union Station, Portland, OR16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2651One-way1 change
28 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis16:4548h41Portland Union Station, Portland, OR19:26Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2721One-way1 change
28 Empire Builder · 8 Empire Builder16:4546h00Portland Union Station, Portland, OR16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2941One-way1 change
11 Coast Starlight · 6 California Zephyr14:2270h17Portland Union Station, Portland, OR14:39Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£3891One-way1 change
28 Empire Builder16:4546h00Portland Union Station, Portland, OR16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2441One-way0 changes
28 Empire Builder · 8 Empire Builder16:4546h00Portland Union Station, Portland, OR16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2941One-way1 change
28 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis16:4548h41Portland Union Station, Portland, OR19:26Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2721One-way1 change
500 Amtrak Cascades · 8 Empire Builder6:4556h00Portland Union Station, Portland, OR16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£2651One-way1 change
11 Coast Starlight · 6 California Zephyr14:2270h17Portland Union Station, Portland, OR14:39Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£3891One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Portland, OR to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £100. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 17m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.8 - 2.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £100, and a train costs an average of £128.
Distance: 2823 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£296 Average Price | £268 Average Price | £235 Average Price Cheapest |
48h 5m Average total duration 47h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 17m Average total duration Fastest 4h 17m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 73h 20m Average total duration 72h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.8 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.5 - 16.9kg CO2 emissions | 2.8 - 7.1kg 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
Portland, OR to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Portland, OR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
504 Amtrak Cascades · 8 Empire Builder | 10:40 Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 52h05 | 16:45 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
11 Coast Starlight · 6 California Zephyr | 14:22 Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 70h17 | 14:39 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
28 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis | 16:45 Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 48h41 | 19:26 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
28 Empire Builder · 8 Empire Builder | 16:45 Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 46h00 | 16:45 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
28 Empire Builder | 16:45 Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 46h00 | 16:45 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 changesdirect | |
500 Amtrak Cascades · 8 Empire Builder | 6:45 Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 56h00 | 16:45 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 Portland, OR 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.
25 May
26 May
27 May
28 May
29 May
30 May
31 May
Journey information
Overview: Train from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL
Trains from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL run on average 7 times per day, taking around 47h 35m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £128 but you can travel from only £44 by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:45, the last at 17:09. The fastest train covers the 2823 km distance in 45h 36m.
Distance 2823 km |
Average train duration 47h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price £128 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 45h 36m |
First train 6:45 |
Last train 17:09 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 42 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Portland, OR and Chicago, IL from £44. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Portland, OR to Chicago, IL train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Portland, OR 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 Portland, OR and Chicago, IL
- 5:30 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access is available via NW 6th Avenue.
- Wilf's Restaurant & Bar
- Al-Amir Lebanese Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $1.50
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown
- The Benson, a Coast Hotel
- Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a main entrance leading to platforms 1-3 for Amtrak services
- waiting areas and ticket counters are located in the main hall.
- MAX Light Rail: Green Line, Yellow Line
- Bus: Several lines available
- Streetcar: NS 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 Portland, OR
More options for your journey from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL
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