The cheapest and fastest trains from Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
£86
Average price
£107
Fastest journey
7 h 47 m
Average duration
8 h 44 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
559 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Saint Paul, MN 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 Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL will cost around £107 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £86.
Of the 6 trains that leave Saint Paul, MN for Chicago, 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 559 km distance in an average of 8 h 44 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 47 m .
The slowest trains will take 10 h 36 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.
1340 Borealis11:397h47Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN19:26Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£861One-way0 changes
1340 Borealis · 342 Hiawatha Service11:399h25Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN21:04Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£951One-way1 change
8 Empire Builder8:507h55Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£1071One-way0 changes
28 Empire Builder8:507h55Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£1071One-way0 changes
8 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis8:5010h36Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN19:26Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£1241One-way1 change
1340 Borealis11:397h47Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN19:26Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£861One-way0 changes
8 Empire Builder8:507h55Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£1071One-way0 changes
28 Empire Builder8:507h55Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN16:45Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£1071One-way0 changes
1340 Borealis · 342 Hiawatha Service11:399h25Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN21:04Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£951One-way1 change
8 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis8:5010h36Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN19:26Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL£1241One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £41. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 46m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £41, and a flight costs an average of £64.
Distance: 559 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£87 Average Price | £66 Average Price Cheapest | £244 Average Price |
7h 52m Average total duration 7h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 5m Average total duration 8h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 46m Average total duration Fastest 1h 46m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions | 1.7 - 3.3kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL trains for tomorrow, Wednesday 3 June. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 Empire Builder | 8:50 Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN | 7h55 | 16:45 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 changesdirect | |
8 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis | 8:50 Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN | 10h36 | 19:26 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
28 Empire Builder | 8:50 Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN | 7h55 | 16:45 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 changesdirect | |
28 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis | 8:50 Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN | 10h36 | 19:26 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
1340 Borealis · 342 Hiawatha Service | 11:39 Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN | 9h25 | 21:04 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 change | |
1340 Borealis | 11:39 Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN | 7h47 | 19:26 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Saint Paul, MN 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.
03 Jun
04 Jun
05 Jun
06 Jun
07 Jun
08 Jun
09 Jun
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
Trains from Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL run on average 7 times per day, taking around 7h 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £35 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:10, the last at 15:05. The fastest train covers the 559 km distance in 7h 24m.
Distance 559 km |
Average train duration 7h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price £35 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 7h 24m |
First train 6:10 |
Last train 15:05 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 91 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Saint Paul, MN and Chicago, IL from £35. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Saint Paul, MN 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 Saint Paul, MN and Chicago, IL
- 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available with several options for short-term and long-term stays.
- The Buttered Tin
- Saint Dinette
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, restrooms.
- $1
- The Saint Paul Hotel
- Hyatt Place St. Paul/Downtown
- InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Hall 2: platforms for Amtrak and regional trains
- Hall 3: event spaces and retail
- Metro Transit: Green Line
- Bus: Several lines available
- 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
More options for your journey from Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


