How much is the train ticket from Effingham to Chicago?

The cheapest train tickets from Effingham to Chicago start from R 330. The average price for this train route is around R 515. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Effingham to Chicago?

The average train journey time from Effingham to Chicago is 4h 5m, covering a distance of 317 km. The quickest train can get you there in 3h 5m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the Effingham to Chicago 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 Effingham to Chicago?

The earliest train from Effingham to Chicago departs at 05:10. And the latest train departs at 17:54.

Train Effingham to Chicago from R 297 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures from Effingham to Chicago on 26 January
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Train	17:54	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
	Train	17:54	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Effingham to Chicago on 27 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	17:54	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Effingham to Chicago on 28 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	7h 50m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Effingham to Chicago on 29 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	7h 50m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Effingham to Chicago on 30 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	17:54	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	17:54	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Effingham to Chicago on 31 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	16h 35m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Effingham to Chicago on 1 February
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	17:54	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Effingham to Chicago on 2 February
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	17:54	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	21:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	05:10	Effingham, IL	4h 5m	09:15	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	09:09	Effingham, IL	3h 51m	13:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 11:43 PM CST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Effingham to Chicago

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Train stands out as a good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 4 hours 5 minutes and with fares starting at just R 330, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

4train per day

4h 5mAverage duration

317 kmDistance

29kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 1 993 - R 2 512	Average duration3h 25m	CO₂ emissions 8kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 330 - R 3 582	Average duration4h 5m	CO₂ emissions 29kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55 750 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5750 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 R 330

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Effingham to Chicago by train

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

How much is the train ticket from Effingham to Chicago?
The cheapest train tickets from Effingham to Chicago start from R 330. The average price for this train route is around R 515. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Effingham to Chicago?
The average train journey time from Effingham to Chicago is 4h 5m, covering a distance of 317 km. The quickest train can get you there in 3h 5m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the Effingham to Chicago 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 Effingham to Chicago?
The earliest train from Effingham to Chicago departs at 05:10. And the latest train departs at 17:54.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

24/01

R 396

25/01

R 709

Today

R 478

27/01

R 396

28/01

R 445

29/01

R 511

30/01

R 577

31/01

R 445

The cheapest trip from Effingham to Chicago was searched and found on 24 Jan 2026 with a price of R 396

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

You can expect to pay from R 396 to R 3 047 for a train ticket from Effingham to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 396, which is on 2026-01-27.

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

The Train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle type	Travel time	Avg price	Daily departures
Vehicle typeBus	Travel time3h 25m	Avg priceR 1 993	Daily departures1
Vehicle typeTrain	Travel time4h 5m	Avg priceR 515	Daily departures4

The best way to travel between Effingham and Chicago is by train. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost R 515 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from R 330. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Chicago, choose the train, as it will take you from Effingham to Chicago in about 3h 25m – that's the fastest way to get there!