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San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL Train
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San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by train
The journey from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by train is 1,855.87 mi and takes 1811 hr 33 min. There are 4 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:25 AM and the last at 10:50 PM. It is possible to travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by train for as little as $121.47 or as much as $338.31. The best price for this journey is $121.47.
| Lowest Price | $121.47 |
| Journey Duration | 1811 hr 33 min |
| Connection per Day | Amtrak 4 |
| Lowest Price | Amtrak $121.47 |
| Highest Price | Amtrak $338.31 |
| First Departure | Amtrak 12:25 AM |
| Last Departure | Amtrak 10:50 PM |
| Distance | Amtrak 1,855.87 mi |
| Departure | Amtrak San Francisco, CA |
| Arrival | Amtrak Chicago, IL |
| Carriers | Amtrak Amtrak |
San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL Train Times
Get from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL with Virail
Planning to travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL? Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start - but that's where Virail comes in. Our powerful search engine will explore all the options available for your trip, combing through more than 2000 transport companies all over the globe. All you have to do is enter your travel dates. In an instant, we'll show you a thorough list of possible routes, with all the information you need to make your decision. Choose from buses, trains, and more, connecting or direct, one-way or round trip - whatever you prefer. When you see your results, select your chosen option and Virail will redirect you to the provider's website, where you can complete your booking. Let us do the legwork for you, and you can just sit back and enjoy your trip.
How much will I pay for train tickets from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL?
The cheapest train tickets from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL cost $121.47. On average, you can expect to spend around $223.33 for your train ticket. Virail will help you find a journey that fits your budget. You can expect prices to vary between different travel providers and methods of transport; often, faster journeys will cost more than slower routes. If your travel dates are flexible, you might be able to find cheaper train tickets, as prices may fluctuate a little from day to day. You may also find lower prices by booking at certain times of day, avoiding rush hour traffic. Another tip for travelers on a tight budget is to look for connecting journeys. Sometimes it can be cheaper to make a change or two along the way, rather than traveling on a direct route from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL.
Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results.
Prices will vary when you travel from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL. On average, though, you'll pay about $223.33 for a train ticket. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets.
How much time will it take to go from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by train?
Traveling from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL by train will usually take 1811 hr 33 min. This journey covers a distance of 1,855.87 mi . When planning your trip, bear in mind that 1811 hr 33 min is an average, and route times may vary from day to day. Weather conditions, issues with transport, unexpected diversions, and local events could all cause delays to your journey. Please keep the possibility of these exceptional events in mind when making travel plans. The distance between San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL is around 1,855.87 mi. Depending on the exact route and provider you travel with, your journey time can vary. On average, this journey will take approximately 1811 hr 33 min. However, the fastest routes between San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL take 53 hr 7 min. If a fast journey is a priority for you when traveling, look out for express services that may get you there faster. Some flexibility may be necessary when booking. Often, these services only leave at particular times of day - or even on certain days of the week. You may also find a faster journey by taking an indirect route and connecting in another station along the way.
What are the stations on the San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL route?
You will be able to leave San Francisco, CA by using stations such as San Francisco, Stonestown,San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street,San Francisco, CA, Union Square. These connect you to stations including Chicago Union Station,Chicago Rockford International Airport,Chicago Midway International Airport,O Hare International Airport, ORD in Chicago, IL. Check carefully before making a booking. Some or all of these stations will appear on the route, depending on the transport provider you use for your trip. Check carefully to see which route your chosen transport provider follows, to see if it passes through a station that is convenient for your needs. It may be necessary to make a short journey between stations either in San Francisco, CA or in Chicago, IL, for your convenience while traveling.
How many times a day do departures from San Francisco, CA leave for Chicago, IL?
The exact number of journeys from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL can vary from day to day. Some services may only run on particular days of the week, while others might be seasonal. In general, an average of 4 departures leave each day. These are run by a number of different transport providers, including . On particularly busy days, there can be up to departures. You can usually expect there to be more connections on weekdays. Many providers run fewer journeys on weekends or public holidays. As a traveler, you may prefer to take a direct route from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL. However, you will find more options available to you if you are willing to take a connecting route. These pass through one or more different cities, and you'll have to change along the way. Not all travelers feel comfortable making multiple connections, but if you are, then you will enjoy greater flexibility when making your booking. The exact number of daily departures from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL varies, but in general, you can expect to find 0 direct connections with no changes leaving each day. Travelers who are happy to take an indirect route will find, on average, 4 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.
Compare prices and tickets from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
Book in advance and save
If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.
Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys
Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL.
Always check special offers
Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.
Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains
If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.
Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average
Best time to book cheap train tickets from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL
The cheapest San Francisco, CA - Chicago, IL train tickets can be found for as low as $38.63 if you’re lucky, or $130.93 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $251.83.
Find the best day to travel to Chicago, IL by train
When travelling to Chicago, IL by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!
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San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL CO2 Emissions by Train
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