How much is the train ticket from Philadelphia to Chicago?

The cheapest train tickets from Philadelphia to Chicago start from R 1 679. The average price for this train route is around R 2 927. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Philadelphia to Chicago?

The average train journey time from Philadelphia to Chicago is 21h 44m, covering a distance of 1068 km. The quickest train can get you there in 20h 42m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the Philadelphia to Chicago route?

Several major train operators run on this route, with 8 trains available per day.

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

The earliest train from Philadelphia to Chicago departs at 08:15. And the latest train departs at 13:20.

Train Philadelphia to Chicago from R 1 602 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures from Philadelphia to Chicago on 16 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	Train	12:42	30th Street Station	21h 3m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
	Train	13:03	30th Street Station	20h 42m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	12:12	30th Street Station	21h 33m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Philadelphia to Chicago on 17 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	Train	12:33	30th Street Station	21h 12m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
	Train	13:03	30th Street Station	20h 42m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	12:12	30th Street Station	21h 33m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Philadelphia to Chicago on 18 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	12:42	30th Street Station	22h 30m	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	12:32	30th Street Station	22h 40m	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	12:32	30th Street Station	22h 40m	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	12:42	30th Street Station	22h 30m	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	12:42	30th Street Station	22h 30m	10:12	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Philadelphia to Chicago on 19 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	Train	12:42	30th Street Station	21h 3m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
	Train	13:03	30th Street Station	20h 42m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	12:12	30th Street Station	21h 33m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Philadelphia to Chicago on 20 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	Train	12:29	30th Street Station	21h 16m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	10:13	30th Street Station	23h 32m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
	Train	12:29	30th Street Station	21h 16m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	10:13	30th Street Station	23h 32m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
	Train	12:29	30th Street Station	21h 16m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Philadelphia to Chicago on 21 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	Train	12:29	30th Street Station	21h 16m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
NextGen Acela + Amtrak	Train	12:35	30th Street Station	21h 10m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	10:13	30th Street Station	23h 32m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
	Train	12:29	30th Street Station	21h 16m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	10:13	30th Street Station	23h 32m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Philadelphia to Chicago on 22 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	Train	12:33	30th Street Station	21h 12m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
	Train	13:03	30th Street Station	20h 42m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	12:12	30th Street Station	21h 33m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures from Philadelphia to Chicago on 23 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Cheapest
	Train	13:03	30th Street Station	20h 42m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	Train	12:01	30th Street Station	21h 44m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	12:12	30th Street Station	21h 33m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Amtrak Acela + Amtrak	Train	12:12	30th Street Station	21h 33m	08:45	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 11:56 PM EST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Philadelphia 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, 40 minutes and with fares starting at just R 1 226, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

60bus per day

1d Average duration

1068 kmDistance

27kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 1 226 - R 6 996	Average duration1d	CO₂ emissions 27kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 1 679 - R 32 235	Average duration21h 44m	CO₂ emissions 97kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55 651 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5651 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 1 679

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia to Chicago?
The cheapest train tickets from Philadelphia to Chicago start from R 1 679. The average price for this train route is around R 2 927. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Philadelphia to Chicago?
The average train journey time from Philadelphia to Chicago is 21h 44m, covering a distance of 1068 km. The quickest train can get you there in 20h 42m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the Philadelphia to Chicago route?
Several major train operators run on this route, with 8 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Philadelphia to Chicago?
The earliest train from Philadelphia to Chicago departs at 08:15. And the latest train departs at 13:20.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

14/12

R 2 188

15/12

R 4 651

Today

R 4 289

17/12

R 4 651

18/12

R 6 270

19/12

R 5 564

20/12

R 6 236

21/12

R 6 236

The cheapest trip from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago was searched and found on 14 Dec 2025 with a price of R 2 188

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

You can expect to pay from R 2 188 to R 36 241 for a train ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 4 651, which is on 2025-12-17.