The trainS from Amtrak Minneapolis to Chicago take about 7 to 9 hours to complete the journey during both day and night. The Borealis and the Empire Builder together provide two departures each day in each direction, covering approximately 411 miles. The Borealis offers only coaches as cabin accommodations, while the Empire Builder provides sleeping accommodations. Coach fares start from $39, and roomettes start from around $160 for one-way. In addition, both trains arrive and depart from the stations, and passengers can also access discounts on this route.
Minneapolis to Chicago on Amtrak
The two trains share the same corridor between St. Paul-Minneapolis and Chicago, passing through Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, La Crosse, and Winona along the way. The Borealis launched in May 2024 as a Midwest corridor service and operates with departure times that complement the Empire Builder, doubling the frequency on this route.
- Train Lines: Borealis (Trains 1333/1340) and Empire Builder (Trains 7/8)
- Duration: ~7 hours 46 minutes (Borealis), ~8 hours 30 minutes (Empire Builder, MSP-CHI segment)
- Distance: Approximately 411 miles (661 km)
- Frequency: Two daily departures in each direction
- Departure Station: Amtrak St. Paul-Minneapolis Union Depot (MSP), 214 4th Street East, St. Paul, MN 55101
- Arrival Station: Amtrak Chicago Union Station (CHI), 225 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606
Amtrak Minneapolis to Chicago Train Schedule
For traveling between Minneapolis and Chicago, this is the latest schedule of the trains on this route. These stop at several intermediate stations where passengers can board and deboard.
Minneapolis to Chicago (Southbound)
| Train | Operational Days | Departure and Arrival Timings | Duration | Coach | Business Class | Sleeping Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1340 Borealis | Daily | 11:39 a.m. and 7:26 p.m. CT | 7 hours 47 minutes | $39 | $68 | Not offered |
| 8 Empire Builder | Daily | 11:13 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. CT | 8 hours 30 minutes | $39 | Not offered | $162 |
The Empire Builder Train 8 is a long-distance westbound service originating in Chicago. However, the eastbound Train 7 departs from MSP late evening and arrives in Chicago the next morning. Bookings open 4 to 5 months in advance, and passengers can reserve seats for lower prices at the beginning.
Intermediate Stops- Train 1340 Borealis (MSP to CHI)
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| St. Paul, Minneapolis, MN (MSP) | Departure 11:39 a.m. |
| Red Wing, MN (RDW) | 12:27 p.m. |
| Winona, MN (WIN) | 1:31 p.m. |
| La Crosse, WI (LSE) | 2:07 p.m. |
| Tomah, WI (TOH) | 2:46 p.m. |
| Wisconsin Dells, WI (WDL) | 3:27 p.m. |
| Portage, WI (POG) | 3:45 p.m. |
| Columbus, WI (CBS) | 4:13 p.m. |
| Milwaukee, WI- Downtown (MKE) | 5:49 p.m. |
| Milwaukee, WI- Airport (MKA) | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sturtevant, WI (SVT) | 6:13 p.m. |
| Glenview, IL (GLN) | 6:54 p.m. |
| Chicago, IL (CHI) | Arrives 7:26 p.m. |
Intermediate Stops- Empire Builder Train 7 (MSP to CHI Overnight)
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| St. Paul, Minneapolis, MN (MSP) | Departure 11:13 p.m. |
| Red Wing, MN (RDW) | 11:42 p.m. |
| Winona, MN (WIN) | 12:40 a.m. |
| La Crosse, WI (LSE) | 1:09 a.m. |
| Tomah, WI (TOH) | 2:10 a.m. |
| Wisconsin Dells, WI (WDL) | 3:06 a.m. |
| Portage, WI (POG) | 3:29 a.m. |
| Columbus, WI (CBS) | 4:27 a.m. |
| Milwaukee, WI- Downtown (MKE) | 5:27 a.m. |
| Glenview, IL (GLN) | 7:21 a.m. |
| Chicago, IL (CHI) | Arrives 8 a.m. |
Chicago to Minneapolis (Northbound)
| Train | Operational Days | Departure and Arrival Timings | Duration | Coach | Business Class | Sleeping Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1333 Borealis | Daily | 11:10 a.m. and 6:56 p.m. CT | 7 hours 46 minutes | $39 | $68 | Not offered |
| 8 Empire Builder | Daily | 4:45 p.m. and 11:13 p.m. CT | 6 hours 28 minutes | $39 | Not offered | $162 |
Intermediate Stops- Train 1333 Borealis (CHI to MSP)
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| Chicago, IL (CHI) | Departure 11:10 a.m. |
| Glenview, IL (GLN) | 11:34 a.m. |
| Sturtevant, WI (SVT) | 12:12 p.m. |
| Milwaukee, WI- Airport (MKA) | 12:27 p.m. |
| Milwaukee, WI- Downtown (MKE) | 12:49 p.m. |
| Wisconsin Dells, WI (WDL) | 2:07 p.m. |
| Columbus, WI (CBS) | 2:33 p.m. |
| Portage, WI (POG) | 2:58 p.m. |
| Tomah, WI (TOH) | 3:44 p.m. |
| La Crosse, WI (LSE) | 4:26 p.m. |
| Winona, MN (WIN) | 5:00 p.m. |
| Red Wing, MN (RDW) | 6:02 p.m. |
| St. Paul, Minneapolis, MN (MSP) | Arrives 6:56 p.m. |
Intermediate Stops- Empire Builder Train 7 (MSP to CHI Overnight)
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| Chicago, IL (CHI) | Departure 4:45 p.m. |
| Glenview, IL (GLN) | 5:27 p.m. |
| Milwaukee, WI- Downtown (MKE) | 6:32 p.m. |
| Columbus, WI (CBS) | 7:48 p.m. |
| Portage, WI (POG) | 8:22 p.m. |
| Wisconsin Dells, WI (WDL) | 9:06 p.m. |
| Tomah, WI (TOH) | 9:27 p.m. |
| La Crosse, WI (LSE) | 10:21 p.m. |
| Winona, MN (WIN) | 11:13 p.m. |
| Red Wing, MN (RDW) | 12:05 a.m. |
| St. Paul, Minneapolis, MN (MSP) | Arrives 1:00 a.m. |
On-Time Performance: The Borealis has a significantly stronger on-time performance than the Empire Builder Train on this route. As of March 2026, it carries a 12-month average of 53.7%, with an average delay of 90 minutes when late.
Booking Amtrak Minneapolis to Chicago Tickets
For booking train tickets to Chicago from Minneapolis, passengers can use multiple platforms and methods.
On Amtrak.com: Enter St. Paul-Minneapolis (MSP) as the origin and Chicago (CHI) as the destination, select the travel date and passenger count, and choose between the Borealis and the Empire Builder. Both trains appear in the same search results.
Mobile Application: The app supports full booking, mobile ticketing, and real-time train tracking for both services. Tracking is particularly useful for the Empire Builder, which can carry significant accumulated delays by the time it reaches Minneapolis.
Through the Counter: A staffed ticket counter operates at St. Paul-Minneapolis Union Depot. The depot is staffed during most hours as it serves multiple services and connections.
Advance Booking: Both trains depart once daily in each direction. The Empire Builder’s Sleeping accommodations, particularly Roomettes, sell out weeks ahead on popular summer dates and holidays. Booking two to four weeks in advance is advisable for Sleeping rooms. Coach fares on both trains are more available.
Cabin Classes and Onboard Amenities for Minneapolis-Chicago Route
Both Coaches and Sleeping cabins are available, but on different trains, containing altogether similar yet different amenities.
Borealis: Amtrak Coach Class
Coach Class is the only passenger cabin on the Borealis. Seats are wide with generous legroom, arranged two-by-two in an open carriage. Every seat reclines, with fold-down tray tables, reading lights, and power outlets. Passengers can visit the Cafe Car for food and drinks. The Borealis does not carry Sleeping Cars or a Sightseer Lounge.
Empire Builder: Coach Class
Empire Builder Coach Class uses Superliner bi-level cars with wide, reclining seats, generous legroom, large windows, fold-down tray tables, and power outlets. The upper level of the Superliner Coach car offers elevated views of the Mississippi River and Wisconsin countryside.
Empire Builder: Amtrak Sleeping Accommodations
The Empire Builder carries Superliner sleeping cars, available for the Minneapolis-Chicago segment. All Sleeping fares include meals served in the Dining Car.
Roomette: The Roomette is a private accommodation for two passengers, consisting of two facing seats that convert into upper and lower berths. It includes a large window, reading lights, USB charging, climate control, and included meals.
Bedroom: A larger room with a full-size lower bed, an upper bunk, and a private toilet and sink. Meal service and access to the Metropolitan Lounge at Chicago Union Station are included. The Bedroom Suite can be opened to connect two adjacent Bedrooms for groups.
Accessible Bedroom: A ground-level Superliner room with wide doorways, an accessible toilet and sink, and space for a mobility device.
Amenities for Passengers
Cafe Car: Both trains carry a Cafe Car open to all passengers. The Cafe serves hot meals, sandwiches, snacks, and beverages including alcoholic drinks throughout the journey.
Dining Car: Available on the Empire Builder for Sleeping Car passengers. Meals are served privately in the passenger’s room under Amtrak’s Flex Dining format, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included in the Sleeping fare.
Sightseer Lounge: The Empire Builder carries a Sightseer Lounge with panoramic upper-deck windows, open to all passengers. On the southbound daytime leg, the lounge provides excellent views of the Mississippi River between Red Wing and La Crosse. The Borealis does not carry a Sightseer Lounge.
Amtrak Internet Connection: Complimentary wifi is available on both trains. Connectivity is generally adequate through urban areas and can be intermittent in rural Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Amtrak Power Outlets: All Coach seats on both trains include power outlets. Sleeping rooms include USB charging ports.
Amtrak Pet Policy: A $26 pet fee applies to small dogs and cats under 20 pounds, carrier included, with a reservation required.
Amtrak Bicycle Policy: Carry‑on is permitted for folding bicycles. Standard bicycles must be checked at St. Paul-Minneapolis or Chicago Union Station.
Amtrak Discounts Available on St. Paul-Chicago Route
To receive a significant concession on fares, Amtrak provides multiple category-based discounts for passengers.
Amtrak Children’s Discount: One child aged 2 to 12 travelling with a fare-paying adult receives a 50% discount on the lowest available Coach fare. Infants are allowed to travel free of charge.
Amtrak Senior Discount: Passengers aged 65 and over receive a 10% discount on Coach and Business Class fares, applied automatically when booking on Amtrak.com.
Amtrak Student Discount: Students aged 17 to 24 with a valid student ID can save 15% on Coach and Business Class fares.
Amtrak Military Discount: Active-duty U.S. military personnel, their spouses, and dependents receive a 10% discount with a valid military ID. Veterans qualify for the same 10% discount.
Amtrak Group Discount: Groups of 6 or more passengers travelling together can save up to 60% on Coach fares. Group bookings require advance coordination through the group sales team.
Tips for Travelling Amtrak Minneapolis to Chicago
As the journey from Minneapolis to Chicago is on a long route, passengers must be well-informed and prepared.
Choose the Borealis for reliability: The Borealis departs Minneapolis at 11:39 a.m. and delivers a 7:26 p.m. arrival in Chicago.
Choose the Empire Builder for the Sleeping cars: If traveling overnight, a Roomette with included meals on a long-distance Superliner train, the Empire Builder’s late-night departure from Minneapolis is suitable. The Sightseer Lounge and Dining Car are also Empire Builder exclusives on this route.
Allow travel time to get to Union Depot from Minneapolis: The Union Depot is in St. Paul, not central Minneapolis. From downtown Minneapolis, the Green Line light rail takes around 25 minutes to Union Depot, especially for the Borealis. Departure: leaving Minneapolis at 10:30 a.m. at the latest gives appropriate time.
Track the Empire Builder: Train 7 (eastbound) originates in Seattle, makes multiple stops before reaching Minneapolis, and can experience delays. Using the Amtrak app to check Train 7’s real-time position before heading to Union Depot avoids unnecessary waits at the station late at night.
Book Amtrak tickets early: Roomettes on the Empire Builder between Minneapolis and Chicago fill quickly from June through August and around major holidays. Booking four to six weeks in advance gets better pricing even on popular dates.
Traveling between Minneapolis and Chicago by Amtrak offers passengers two daily train options: the daytime Borealis and the overnight Empire Builder. Passengers are advised to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes in advance at the Minneapolis Union Station, whether traveling with luggage or not.
FAQs
The Borealis takes approximately 7 hours and 47 minutes between St. Paul-Minneapolis and Chicago. The Empire Builder takes around 8 hours and 30 minutes on the southbound overnight journey.
There are two daily departures in each direction. The Borealis provides a daytime service, while the Empire Builder offers an overnight option.
The route is served by the Borealis (Trains 1333 and 1340) and the Empire Builder (Trains 7 and 8).
Coach fares typically start from around $39 when booked in advance. Prices increase closer to departure based on demand and seat availability.
No, the Borealis only offers Coach and Business Class seating. Sleeping accommodations are available exclusively on the Empire Builder.
Meals are included only for passengers traveling in Empire Builder Sleeping Cars. Coach and Business Class passengers can purchase food and beverages from the Cafe Car.
Yes, complimentary internet connection is available on both trains. However, connectivity may be limited in some rural sections of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Yes, Passengers can bring carry-on luggage free of charge. Checked baggage service is also available at major stations, including St. Paul-Minneapolis Union Depot and Chicago Union Station.
Major stops include Red Wing, Winona, La Crosse, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, Portage, Columbus, Milwaukee, Sturtevant, and Glenview before arriving in Chicago.
