The trains from Amtrak Champaign to Chicago are direct through central Illinois on two of Amtrak’s Midwest corridor trains, the Saluki and the Illini. There are usually four daily train trips available from Champaign to Chicago. The route covers 125 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 36 minutes on the fastest services, making it one of the more practical rail connections in Illinois. The fastest Amtrak Saluki train can make the trip in 2 hours and 36 minutes. Coach fares start from around $12 on advance bookings.
Champaign to Chicago on Amtrak
Two train lines operate on this corridor. The Saluki runs the full Chicago-Carbondale route, with the Illini extending the same corridor through Carbondale toward Carbondale in southern Illinois. All trains stop at Champaign-Urbana as an intermediate station on their respective routes northbound to Chicago.
- Train Lines: Saluki (Trains 390/391), Illini (Trains 392/393), and City of New Orleans (58/59), and Lincoln Service (302/319).
- Duration: 2 hours 36 minutes to 2 hours 54 minutes
- Distance: Approximately 125 miles (202 km)
- Frequency: Usually four daily departures in each direction
- Departure Station: Amtrak Champaign Station, Illinois Terminal (CHM), 45 East University Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820
- Arrival Station: Amtrak Chicago Union Station (CHI), 225 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606.
Amtrak Champaign to Chicago Schedule and Fares
Four Daily departures serve this route of Amtrak Champaign to Chicago using four different trains. Some trains offer only business class or sleeping cabins but Coach is common and available in all trains.
Northbound Trains (Champaign to Chicago)
| Amtrak Train | Departure | Arrival (Chicago) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Business Class/ Sleeping Cabins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 City of New Orleans | 4:30 a.m. | 7:15 a.m. | Daily Service | 2 hours 45 minutes | From $25 | From $185 |
| 390 Saluki | 10:24 a.m. | 1:00 p.m. | Daily Service | 2 hours 36 minutes | From $20 | From $32 |
| 392 Illini | 7:08 p.m. | 9:45 p.m. | Daily Service | 2 hours 37 minutes | From $25 | From $37 |
| 302 Lincoln Service | 7:50 a.m. | 11:40 a.m. | Daily Service | 3 hours 50 minutes | From $65 | From $85 |
Northbound Train Schedule
| Station | Scheduled Timings |
|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana (CHM) | Departs 7:08 p.m. |
| Rantoul (RTL) | 7:24 p.m. |
| Gilman (GLM) | 7:51 p.m. |
| Kankakee (KKI) | 8:14 p.m. |
| Homewood (HMW) | 8:55 p.m. |
| Chicago (CHI) | 9:45 p.m. |
Southbound Trains (Chicago to Champaign)
| Amtrak Train | Departure | Arrival (Chicago) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Business Class/ Sleeping Cabins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 City of New Orleans | 6:05 p.m. | 8:50 p.m. | Daily Service | 2 hours 45 minutes | From $37 | From $185 |
| 391 Saluki | 8:15 a.m. | 10:47 a.m. | Daily Service | 2 hours 32 minutes | From $11 | From $22 |
| 393 Illini | 4:05 p.m. | 6:36 p.m. | Daily Service | 2 hours 31 minutes | From $14 | From $25 |
| 319 Lincoln Service | 9:50 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | Daily Service | 6 hours 55 minutes | From $37 | From $71 |
Southbound Train Schedule
| Station | Schedule Time |
|---|---|
| Chicago Union Station (CHI) | Departs 4:05 p.m. |
| Homewood (HMW) | 4:46 p.m. |
| Kankakee (KKI) | 5:15 p.m. |
| Gilman (GLM) | 5:40 p.m. |
| Rantoul (RTL) | 6:08 p.m. |
| Champaign-Urbana (CHM) | 6:36 p.m. |
Cabin Classes and Onboard Amenities on Amtrak Champaign to Chicago Route
The cabins available on Amtrak trains traveling between Champaign and Chicago include coaches, business class, and sometimes sleeping cabins.
Amtrak Coach Class
Coach is the standard and most used cabin on both the Saluki and the Illini. Seats are arranged two-by-two in Amfleet single-level cars with comfortable recline, fold-down tray tables, reading lights, and power outlets. On a 2.5-hour journey through central Illinois, Coach is an entirely comfortable option for the majority of passengers.
Business Class is available on the Saluki and Illini and offers reserved seating in a dedicated section with more personal space than Coach. Passengers receive a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and earn bonus Amtrak Guest Rewards points. Business Class tickets are fully refundable before departure.
No Sleeping Cars
Neither the Saluki nor the Illini carries Sleeping accommodations. Both are daytime corridor trains, and no private rooms are available on this route. However, Lincoln’s service includes sleeping accommodations, and prices are slightly higher.
Available Amenities
Cafe Car: Both the Saluki and Illini carry a Cafe Car serving hot drinks, cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks, and light meals throughout the journey. All passengers can use it for dining on Amtrak, regardless of cabin class.
Amtrak wifi: Complimentary internet is available on both trains. Connectivity is generally adequate for browsing and messaging along the Illinois corridor, with some intermittent patches in the more rural sections between Gilman and Rantoul.
Amtrak Power Outlets: All Coach and Business Class seats include power outlets for charging phones and laptops during the journey.
Passengers can travel from St. Louis to Chicago on either the Lincoln Service or Texas Eagle. Multiple cabins and amenities may be added to reservations, and should arrive at the station 30 to 45 minutes before departure.
FAQs
Traveling by train from Champaign to Chicago usually takes 2 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Saluki train can make the trip in 2 hours and 36 minutes.
There are usually four daily train trips available from Champaign to Chicago, two northbound and two southbound, operated by the Saluki and Illini.
The Saluki (Trains 390 and 391) and the Illini (Trains 392 and 393) both serve Champaign-Urbana on their Chicago–Carbondale corridor. Both are Illinois-sponsored Amtrak corridor trains making all stops between Champaign and Chicago.
Coach fares start from approximately $12 on advance bookings. Booking at least 26 days ahead delivers the lowest available fares, with last-minute tickets typically costing approximately $23 more. Business Class starts from approximately $45.
The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign.
No, neither the Saluki nor the Illini carries Sleeping accommodations. Both are daytime corridor trains with Coach and Business Class only.
Both trains stop at Rantoul, Gilman, Kankakee, and Homewood between Champaign and Chicago. These stops add approximately 20 to 40 minutes to the journey compared to a non-stop service.
The distance between Champaign-Urbana and Chicago by rail is approximately 125 miles (202 km).
