Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to San Francisco.
Busbud recommends taking the train from Chicago to San FranciscoAmong 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.
Train Chicago to San Francisco, US: Trip Overview
Please note, this information is subject to change.
Train Companies
Based on 5379 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $120
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.
The cheapest trip from Chicago to San Francisco, US was searched and found on Aug 12, 2025 with a price of $118To 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 $118 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 $118 which is on 2025-08-12.
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?
The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destinationThe 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!
Top Traveled Train Routes
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