How much does a cheap train ticket from Chicago to Carbondale cost?

The average train ticket price from Chicago to Carbondale is £36. The best way to find cheap train tickets from Chicago to Carbondale is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!

How long is the train trip from Chicago to Carbondale?

A train trip between Chicago and Carbondale is around 5h 30m, although the fastest train will take about 5h 16m. This is the time it takes to travel the 297 miles that separates the two cities.

How many daily train are there between Chicago and Carbondale?

The number of trains from Chicago to Carbondale can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 4. Some trains are direct while others include transferring trains. Simplify your train trip from Chicago to Carbondale by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

Which train companies travel from Chicago to Carbondale?

When taking the train from Chicago to Carbondale, you can travel comfortably and safely with Amtrak.

Train Chicago to Carbondale from £22 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 20 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Train	20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 16m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	CheapestFastest
	Train	20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 16m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 21 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
Train	20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 16m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 22 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	17h 6m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
Train	20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 16m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 24 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	17h 6m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
Train	20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 16m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 25 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	17h 6m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
Train	20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 16m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	17h 6m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 26 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	17h 6m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
Train	20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 16m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Next departures from Chicago to Carbondale on 27 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	17h 6m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Cheapest
Train	20:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 16m	01:21	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	Fastest
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	08:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	13:45	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags
Train	16:05	Chicago (Union Station), IL	5h 30m	21:35	Carbondale (Amtrak), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 22:09 CST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Chicago to Carbondale

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach Carbondale. The journey takes about 5 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just £23, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

4train per day

5h 30mAverage duration

299 milesDistance

44kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average price£25 - £129	Average duration9h 5m	CO₂ emissions 12kg CO₂e
Train	Average price£23 - £206	Average duration5h 30m	CO₂ emissions 44kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55,595 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5595 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 £23

Amtrak Chicago Carbondale recent customer reviews

Some kind of weird announcements were going off fairly regularly and loud. I think it was something that the train employee was getting and sounded like warnings of someone or something on the tracks ahead. very annoying. this was my first ride on Amtrak and it was kinda bumpy. Too bumpy to try and write something. After a while it got a touch cool. At first it was a bit noisy with people talking kinda loud. Could have used arm rests.

Charles F.

17 May 2023

Enjoyed the trip

Fredric L.

1 October 2024

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Chicago to Carbondale by train

How much does a cheap train ticket from Chicago to Carbondale cost?
The average train ticket price from Chicago to Carbondale is £36. The best way to find cheap train tickets from Chicago to Carbondale is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!
How long is the train trip from Chicago to Carbondale?
A train trip between Chicago and Carbondale is around 5h 30m, although the fastest train will take about 5h 16m. This is the time it takes to travel the 297 miles that separates the two cities.
How many daily train are there between Chicago and Carbondale?
The number of trains from Chicago to Carbondale can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 4. Some trains are direct while others include transferring trains. Simplify your train trip from Chicago to Carbondale by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.
Which train companies travel from Chicago to Carbondale?
When taking the train from Chicago to Carbondale, you can travel comfortably and safely with Amtrak.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

18/11

£33

19/11

£41

Today

£61

21/11

£41

22/11

£61

23/11

No data

24/11

£67

25/11

£67

The cheapest trip from Chicago to Carbondale was searched and found on 18 Nov 2025 with a price of £33

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

You can expect to pay from £33 to £300 for a train ticket from Chicago to Carbondale based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £41, which is on 2025-11-21.

What's the cheapest way to go from Chicago to Carbondale?

The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle type	Travel time	Avg price	Daily departures
Vehicle typeBus	Travel time9h 5m	Avg price£48	Daily departures2
Vehicle typeTrain	Travel time5h 30m	Avg price£36	Daily departures4

The best way to travel between Chicago and Carbondale 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 £23. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Carbondale, choose the train, as it will take you from Chicago to Carbondale in about 5h 30m – that's the fastest way to get there!