How much is the train ticket from Washington to Chicago?

The cheapest train tickets from Washington to Chicago start from $75. The average price for this train route is around $158. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Washington to Chicago?

The average train ride duration from Washington to Chicago is 1d , covering a distance of 595 miles (959 km). The quickest train can get you there in 17h 40m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators service the Washington to Chicago route?

Several major train operators operate on this route with 2 trains available per day.

What is the earliest and latest departure time for the train from Washington to Chicago?

The earliest train departs from Washington to Chicago at 7:50am. And the latest train departs at 4:05pm.

Train Washington to Chicago from $71 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures for Washington to Chicago on November 28
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Train	3:57pm	Union Station	17h 48m	8:45am	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
	Train	3:57pm	Union Station	17h 48m	8:45am	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Next departures for Washington to Chicago on November 29
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	3:57pm	Union Station	17h 48m	8:45am	Chicago (Union Station), IL	CheapestFastest
Train	3:57pm	Union Station	17h 48m	8:45am	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	10:20am	Union Station	1d	10:12am	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
Train	11:25am	Union Station	23h 47m	10:12am	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 12:04 AM EST.

Compare 2 ways to go from Washington to Chicago

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 1 day, 25 minutes and with fares starting at just $61, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

45bus per day

1d Average Duration

592 milesDistance

24kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average Price$61 - $373	Average Duration1d	CO₂ emissions 24kg CO₂e
Train	Average Price$75 - $1,565	Average Duration1d	CO₂ emissions 87kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Washington, DC, US and Chicago?

Washington, DC, US

A
Union Station
6 Union Station Dr NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA
Visit page

Chicago

A
Union Station
225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55,610 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

Based on 5610 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 $75

Train and bus companies in US:Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak Acela, NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Iryo

Frequently asked questions about traveling from Washington, DC, US to Chicago by train

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

How much is the train ticket from Washington to Chicago?
The cheapest train tickets from Washington to Chicago start from $75. The average price for this train route is around $158. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Washington to Chicago?
The average train ride duration from Washington to Chicago is 1d , covering a distance of 595 miles (959 km). The quickest train can get you there in 17h 40m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators service the Washington to Chicago route?
Several major train operators operate on this route with 2 trains available per day.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the train from Washington to Chicago?
The earliest train departs from Washington to Chicago at 7:50am. And the latest train departs at 4:05pm.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

11/26

$255

11/27

$255

Today

$255

11/29

$255

11/30

$255

12/01

$122

12/02

$122

12/03

$83

The cheapest trip from Washington, DC, US to Chicago was searched and found on Dec 3, 2025 with a price of $83

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

You can expect to pay from $83 to $1,391 for a train ticket from Washington, DC, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $83 which is on 2025-12-03.