How much is the train ticket from Washington to Chicago?

The cheapest train tickets from Washington to Chicago start from R 1 292. The average price for this train route is around R 3 046. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Washington to Chicago?

The average train journey time from Washington to Chicago is 1d , covering a distance of 959 km. The quickest train can get you there in 17h 48m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the Washington 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 Washington to Chicago?

The earliest train from Washington to Chicago departs at 07:50. And the latest train departs at 16:57.

Train Washington to Chicago from R 1 228 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures from Washington to Chicago on 13 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	15:57	Union Station	17h 48m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	15:57	Union Station	17h 48m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	10:20	Union Station	1d	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	10:20	Union Station	1d	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	10:20	Union Station	1d	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Washington to Chicago on 16 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	15:57	Union Station	17h 48m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	15:57	Union Station	17h 48m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	10:35	Union Station	1d	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	10:35	Union Station	1d	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	10:35	Union Station	1d	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Last Tuesday at 1:12 PM EST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Washington 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, 25 minutes and with fares starting at just R 1 058, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

40bus per day

1d Average duration

960 kmDistance

24kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 1 058 - R 7 745	Average duration1d	CO₂ emissions 24kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 1 292 - R 27 047	Average duration1d	CO₂ emissions 87kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Washington, DC, US and Chicago?

Washington, DC, US

A
Union Station
6 Union Station Dr NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA
Visit page

Chicago

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

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55 638 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5638 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 1 292

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Washington, DC, 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 Washington to Chicago?
The cheapest train tickets from Washington to Chicago start from R 1 292. The average price for this train route is around R 3 046. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Washington to Chicago?
The average train journey time from Washington to Chicago is 1d , covering a distance of 959 km. The quickest train can get you there in 17h 48m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the Washington 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 Washington to Chicago?
The earliest train from Washington to Chicago departs at 07:50. And the latest train departs at 16:57.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

09/12

R 2 525

10/12

R 3 027

Today

R 3 666

12/12

R 4 410

13/12

R 2 525

14/12

R 1 436

15/12

R 1 436

16/12

R 1 436

The cheapest trip from Washington, DC, US to Chicago was searched and found on 14 Dec 2025 with a price of R 1 436

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

You can expect to pay from R 1 436 to R 40 050 for a train ticket from Washington, DC, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 1 436, which is on 2025-12-14.