The cheapest and fastest trains from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$281
Average price
$431
Fastest journey
21 h 4 m
Average duration
21 h 39 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
1069 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL will cost around $431 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $281.
It's difficult to get from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL without transferring at least once.
43 Pennsylvanian · 40 Floridian12:41PM21h0430th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA08:45AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$2811One-way1 transfer
2155 NextGen Acela+
40 Floridian12:12PM21h3330th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA08:45AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4311One-way1 transfer
95 Northeast Regional · 40 Floridian12:01PM21h4430th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA08:45AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4741One-way1 transfer
119 Northeast Regional · 40 Floridian12:33PM21h1230th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA08:45AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4741One-way1 transfer
174 Northeast Regional · 49 Lake Shore Limited12:32PM22h4030th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA10:12AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4921One-way1 transfer
43 Pennsylvanian · 40 Floridian12:41PM21h0430th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA08:45AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$2811One-way1 transfer
119 Northeast Regional · 40 Floridian12:33PM21h1230th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA08:45AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4741One-way1 transfer
2155 NextGen Acela+
40 Floridian12:12PM21h3330th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA08:45AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4311One-way1 transfer
95 Northeast Regional · 40 Floridian12:01PM21h4430th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA08:45AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4741One-way1 transfer
174 Northeast Regional · 49 Lake Shore Limited12:32PM22h4030th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA10:12AMChicago Union Station, Chicago, IL$4921One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $91. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 38m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 1.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $91, and a flight costs an average of $60.
Distance: 664 miles (1069 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
$235 Average price | $271 Average price | $195 Average price Cheapest |
22h 30m Average total duration 22h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 38m Average total duration Fastest 3h 38m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 20h 53m Average total duration 20h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 3.2 - 6.4kg CO2 emissions | 1.1 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL train times
The table below shows live departures for Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL trains for today, Wednesday, April 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
51 Cardinal | 12:15 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 27h10 | 3:25 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
95 Northeast Regional · 40 Floridian | 4:01 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 21h44 | 1:45 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
2155 NextGen Acela+ 40 Floridian | 4:12 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 21h33 | 1:45 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
174 Northeast Regional · 49 Lake Shore Limited | 4:32 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 22h40 | 3:12 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
119 Northeast Regional · 40 Floridian | 4:33 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 21h12 | 1:45 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
43 Pennsylvanian · 40 Floridian | 4:41 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 21h04 | 1:45 PM Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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Why should you book Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Amtrak?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Amtrak, but also compare tickets for the likes of Amtrak to find the best option for your trip from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Amtrak with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL
Trains from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL run on average 5 times per day, taking around 22h 0m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $104 (€85) but you can travel from only $60 (€49) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 08:15, the last at 21:30. The fastest train covers the 664 miles (1069 km) distance in 20h 42m.
Distance 664 miles (1069 km) |
Average train duration 22h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $104 (€85) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 20h 42m |
First train 08:15 |
Last train 21:30 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Philadelphia, PA and Chicago, IL from $60 (€49). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Chicago, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL
- 5:15 AM - 10:30 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via 30th Street and Market Street.
- Bridgewater's Pub
- The Porch at 30th Street Station
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- The Inn at Penn, a Hilton Hotel
- Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel
- The Study at University City
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Main Hall: entrance, ticketing, and waiting area
- Upper Level: Amtrak platforms
- Lower Level: SEPTA Regional Rail platforms
- SEPTA: Market-Frankford Line
- Trolley: Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, 36
- Bus: Several lines available
- 5:00 AM - 12:00 AM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Departures can be made outside of opening hours. Access via Canal Street.
- The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
- Lou Mitchell's
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- The Kimpton Gray Hotel
- JW Marriott Chicago
- W Chicago - City Center
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, Amtrak services
- Hall 2: Metra services
- Hall 3: food court and retail shops
- Bus: Several lines available
- CTA: Blue Line, Pink Line
Most popular train connections from Philadelphia, PA
More options for your journey from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL
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