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

The cheapest train tickets from Chicago to Alton start from £20. The average price for this train route is around £36. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Chicago to Alton?

The average train journey time from Chicago to Alton is 4h 10m, covering a distance of 243 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 3h 57m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the Chicago to Alton route?

Several major train operators run on this route with 4 trains available per day.

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Chicago to Alton?

The earliest train from Chicago to Alton departs at 07:15. And the latest train departs at 19:10.

Train Chicago to Alton from £19 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures from Chicago to Alton on 13 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	17:20	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 16m	21:36	Alton Station	Cheapest
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	Fastest
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	13:52	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 16m	18:08	Alton Station	No tags
Train	13:52	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 16m	18:08	Alton Station	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Alton on 14 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	19:10	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 10m	23:20	Alton Station	Cheapest
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	Fastest
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	13:52	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 16m	18:08	Alton Station	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Alton on 15 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	19:10	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 10m	23:20	Alton Station	Cheapest
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	Fastest
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	13:52	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 16m	18:08	Alton Station	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Alton on 16 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	CheapestFastest
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	13:52	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 16m	18:08	Alton Station	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Alton on 17 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	CheapestFastest
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	13:52	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 16m	18:08	Alton Station	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Alton on 18 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	CheapestFastest
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	13:52	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 16m	18:08	Alton Station	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Alton on 19 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	CheapestFastest
Train	07:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	3h 57m	11:12	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	09:50	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 7m	13:57	Alton Station	No tags
Train	13:52	Chicago (Union Station), IL	4h 16m	18:08	Alton Station	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Last Thursday at 20:47 CST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Chicago to Alton

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach Alton. The journey takes about 3 hours 59 minutes and with fares starting at just £70, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1bus per day

3h 59mAverage duration

243 milesDistance

10kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average price£70 - £70	Average duration3h 59m	CO₂ emissions 10kg CO₂e
Train	Average price£20 - £231	Average duration4h 10m	CO₂ emissions 36kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55,641 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5641 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at £20

Amtrak Chicago Alton recent customer reviews

The trip went very smooth. Friendly and helpful staff made it a good experience.

Brian N.

29 July 2025

US train companies: Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak Acela, NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Iryo

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Chicago to Alton, US by train

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.

How much does a train ticket cost from Chicago to Alton?
The cheapest train tickets from Chicago to Alton start from £20. The average price for this train route is around £36. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Chicago to Alton?
The average train journey time from Chicago to Alton is 4h 10m, covering a distance of 243 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 3h 57m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the Chicago to Alton route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 4 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Chicago to Alton?
The earliest train from Chicago to Alton departs at 07:15. And the latest train departs at 19:10.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

11/12

£28

12/12

£40

Today

£40

14/12

£40

15/12

£28

16/12

£28

17/12

£28

18/12

£33

The cheapest trip from Chicago to Alton, US was searched and found on 11 Dec 2025 with a price of £28

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Chicago to Alton, US as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from £28 to £298 for a train ticket from Chicago to Alton, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £28, which is on 2025-12-15.

What's the cheapest way to go from Chicago to Alton, US?

The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle type	Travel time	Avg price	Daily departures
Vehicle typeBus	Travel time3h 59m	Avg price£70	Daily departures1
Vehicle typeTrain	Travel time4h 10m	Avg price£36	Daily departures4

The best way to travel between Chicago and Alton, US is by train. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost £36 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from £20. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Alton, US, choose the train, as it will take you from Chicago to Alton, US in about 3h 59m – that's the fastest way to get there!