Trains tickets from Chicago to San Francisco, US

TodayAug 5
from $459
TomorrowAug 6
ThuAug 7
from $320
FriAug 8
SatAug 9
SunAug 10
MonAug 11
TueAug 12

Next departures to San Francisco

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
    Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
    Arrival time: August 9 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
    Arrival time: August 9 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
    Arrival time: August 10 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
    Arrival time: August 10 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
    Arrival time: August 9 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:

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Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to San Francisco.

Average Price$117 - $800Average Duration2d 10h
75kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
CheapestFastestMost eco-friendly
Average Price$120 - $1,581Average Duration2d 10h
271kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
busbud logoBusbud recommends taking the train from Chicago to San Francisco

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach San Francisco. The journey takes about 2 days, 10 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just $120, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

4train per day
2d 10hAverage Duration
$120Cheapest ticket
271kgCO₂ emissions

Train Chicago to San Francisco, US: Trip Overview

Please note, this information is subject to change.

Average ticket price$261
Average train trip duration2d 10h
Number of daily trains4
Earliest train departure1:52pm
Distance1849 miles (2982 km)
Latest train departure3:05pm

Chicago to San Francisco Train

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a train from Chicago to San Francisco is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of train fares and train schedules to find the best deals.

Train service from Chicago to San Francisco will be provided by the most trusted companies.

Whether it is train tickets or first class train tickets going to San Francisco from Chicago, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - San Francisco, US

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found
08/03
$375
08/04
$1,042
Today
$442
08/06
$121
08/07
$308
08/08
No data
08/09
No data
08/10
$218
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Chicago to San Francisco, US was searched and found on Aug 6, 2025 with a price of $121

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

You can expect to pay from $121 to $2,805 for a train ticket from Chicago to San Francisco, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $121 which is on 2025-08-06.

About Train Travel

Train Travel Tips

Taking the fastest trains allows you to travel at speeds greater than 300 km/h. Taking a trip from Chicago to San Francisco is not only much quicker but more comfortable too! You can usually travel directly to the city centre and save time while you're at it.

No matter if you plan to take a regional or high-speed train to San Francisco, the planet will thank you. You’ll help to protect the beautiful landscapes that will unfold before your very eyes.

By choosing the train between Chicago and San Francisco, you emit up to 30 times less CO2 than for the same journey made by plane or car!

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your train trip from Chicago to San Francisco while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

One of the deepest train stations in the world is in Kiev. Located at a depth of 105 m, it was designed in this way to serve as a shelter in the event of an attack. The second deepest station is in China. Badaling station is located 60 m under the Great Wall of China!

Some trains in Sweden can recover more than a fifth of the energy they use by braking. This is especially true with ore trains as they descend from Narvik to Kiruna.

You can find dogs as passengers on the trains of Moscow, where there is a large number of stray dogs. Over time, the dogs have learned the inner workings of the rail system and it is not uncommon to find one traveling between the city and the suburbs.

What's the cheapest way to go from Chicago to San Francisco, US?

busbud logoThe train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

The best way to travel between Chicago and San Francisco, US is by train. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost $261 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from $120. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to San Francisco, US, choose the train, as it will take you from Chicago to San Francisco, US in about 2d 10h - that's the fastest way to get there!

Will you be returning to Chicago by train?

Train from San Francisco, US to Chicago

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