How much is the train ticket from San Marcos to Chicago?

The cheapest train tickets from San Marcos to Chicago start from R 1 977. The average price for this train route is around R 3 168. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from San Marcos to Chicago?

The average train journey time from San Marcos to Chicago is 1d 11h, covering a distance of 1623 km. The quickest train can get you there in 1d 5h and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the San Marcos to Chicago route?

Several major train operators run on this route, with 2 trains available per day.

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

The earliest train from San Marcos to Chicago departs at 08:20. And the latest train departs at 08:22.

Train San Marcos to Chicago from R 1 891 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures from San Marcos to Chicago on 27 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Marcos to Chicago on 28 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Marcos to Chicago on 29 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 14h	22:43	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Marcos to Chicago on 30 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 14h	22:43	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Marcos to Chicago on 31 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 14h	22:43	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Marcos to Chicago on 1 February
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from San Marcos to Chicago on 2 February
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 5h	13:49	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	08:22	San Marcos Station	1d 11h	20:00	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 1:02 PM CST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from San Marcos to Chicago

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Bus stands out as a good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 1 day, 7 hours 15 minutes and with fares starting at just R 1 844, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

7bus per day

1d 7hAverage duration

1623 kmDistance

41kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 1 844 - R 8 082	Average duration1d 7h	CO₂ emissions 41kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 1 977 - R 26 084	Average duration1d 11h	CO₂ emissions 148kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in San Marcos, TX, US and Chicago?

San Marcos, TX, US

A
San Marcos Station
338 S Guadalupe St, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Visit page

Chicago

A
Union Station
225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

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 about the Wi-Fi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at R 1 977

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling from San Marcos, TX, US 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 San Marcos to Chicago?
The cheapest train tickets from San Marcos to Chicago start from R 1 977. The average price for this train route is around R 3 168. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from San Marcos to Chicago?
The average train journey time from San Marcos to Chicago is 1d 11h, covering a distance of 1623 km. The quickest train can get you there in 1d 5h and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the San Marcos to Chicago route?
Several major train operators run on this route, with 2 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from San Marcos to Chicago?
The earliest train from San Marcos to Chicago departs at 08:20. And the latest train departs at 08:22.

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 2 696

25/01

No data

Today

R 3 896

27/01

R 3 272

28/01

R 2 746

29/01

R 2 976

30/01

R 3 156

31/01

R 2 696

The cheapest trip from San Marcos, TX, US to Chicago was searched and found on 24 Jan 2026 with a price of R 2 696

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

You can expect to pay from R 2 696 to R 14 202 for a train ticket from San Marcos, TX, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 2 696, which is on 2026-01-31.

What's the cheapest way to go from San Marcos, TX, US to Chicago?

The Train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle type	Travel time	Avg price	Daily departures
Vehicle typeBus	Travel time1d 7h	Avg priceR 3 208	Daily departures7
Vehicle typeTrain	Travel time1d 11h	Avg priceR 3 168	Daily departures2

The best way to travel between San Marcos, TX, US 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 3 168 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from R 1 977. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Chicago, choose the train, as it will take you from San Marcos, TX, US to Chicago in about 1d 7h – that's the fastest way to get there!