Booking Amtrak In Illinois..!!
Illinois, the heart of the Midwest, is a surprisingly well-connected state when it comes to train travel. Thanks to a robust network of Amtrak routes, traversing the Prairie State (and beyond) without the hassle of driving, traffic, or airport security is not just possible – it’s a pleasure.
Whether you’re commuting to Chicago, visiting family in Springfield, heading to a university town like Champaign-Urbana or Normal, or connecting to St. Louis, Amtrak offers a comfortable, scenic, and often stress-free alternative.
This complete guide will walk you through every Amtrak station in Illinois, providing essential information, key amenities, the routes they serve, and – crucially – approximate driving distances to major cities and airports to help you plan your journey.
Understanding the Illinois Amtrak Network
Illinois is home to several key Amtrak corridors, many of which are heavily supported by the state itself, leading to frequent service and modern amenities. The primary routes crisscrossing the state include:
- Lincoln Service: Connecting Chicago, St. Louis, and numerous towns in between.
- Illinois Zephyr / Carl Sandburg: Linking Chicago with Quincy, via Galesburg.
- Illini / Saluki: Traveling between Chicago and Carbondale, serving Champaign-Urbana and other southern Illinois communities.
- Pere Marquette, Blue Water, Texas Eagle, Cardinal, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, Empire Builder: These long-distance routes also utilize Illinois’ tracks, primarily stopping in Chicago but sometimes making additional stops in the state.
Your Station-by-Station Guide
Here’s a detailed look at each Amtrak station in Illinois, presented alphabetically for your convenience.
1. Alton, IL (ALN)
Alton serves as a vital gateway between the northern and southern parts of Illinois, located just north of St. Louis. Its modern station reflects recent investments in the Lincoln Service corridor.
- Address: 161 James Killion Blvd, Alton, IL 62002
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk, Amtrak Thruway connecting services.
- Routes Served: Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 260 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 25 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 275 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 270 |
| St. Louis Airport (STL) | 15 |
2. Carlinville, IL (CRV)
A charming small town stop on the Lincoln Service, Carlinville offers a glimpse into rural Illinois.
- Address: 128 Depot St, Carlinville, IL 62626
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, free parking. Unstaffed.
- Routes Served: Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 220 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 65 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 235 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 230 |
| St. Louis Airport (STL) | 55 |
3. Carbondale, IL (CDL)
The southernmost Amtrak station in Illinois and home to Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale is a major hub for downstate travelers.
- Address: 401 S Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk, checked baggage service.
- Routes Served: Illini, Saluki, City of New Orleans.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 330 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 100 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 345 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 340 |
| St. Louis Airport (STL) | 90 |
4. Centralia, IL (CEN)
Centralia is a historic railroad junction point, making it a key stop for Amtrak trains heading south.
- Address: 201 N Oak St, Centralia, IL 62801
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk.
- Routes Served: Illini, Saluki, City of New Orleans.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 270 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 65 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 285 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 280 |
| St. Louis Airport (STL) | 60 |
5. Champaign-Urbana, IL (CHM)
Home to the University of Illinois, this bustling station serves a vibrant college town and central Illinois.
- Address: 101 N Chestnut St, Champaign, IL 61820
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk, Amtrak Thruway connecting services.
- Routes Served: Illini, Saluki, City of New Orleans.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 140 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 180 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 155 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 150 |
| Central Illinois Reg. Airport (BMI) | 50 |
6. Chicago, IL (CHI – Union Station)
The indisputable hub of the Midwest Amtrak network, Chicago Union Station is a magnificent Beaux-Arts landmark and the originating point for nearly all Illinois Amtrak routes, as well as connections across the country.
- Address: 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606
- Key Amenities: Full-service station, ticketing, baggage service, checked baggage, Metropolitan Lounge, restaurants, shops, restrooms, accessible throughout, connections to Metra, CTA, and bus services.
- Routes Served: All Illinois Amtrak routes and all long-distance routes passing through Chicago.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 18 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 11 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 90 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 300 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 180 |
7. Dwight, IL (DWT)
A smaller, unstaffed stop on the Lincoln Service corridor, Dwight provides access to a charming historic community.
- Address: 100 S John St, Dwight, IL 60420
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, free parking. Unstaffed.
- Routes Served: Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 75 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 225 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 90 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 80 |
8. Du Quoin, IL (DUQ)
Home of the Illinois State Fairgrounds and a regular stop on routes heading towards Carbondale.
- Address: 27 S Division St, Du Quoin, IL 62832
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, restrooms, free parking. Unstaffed.
- Routes Served: Illini, Saluki, City of New Orleans.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 300 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 80 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 315 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 310 |
| St. Louis Airport (STL) | 70 |
9. Effingham, IL (EFF)
Serving as a crossroads for several highways, Effingham is a convenient stop in central-southern Illinois.
- Address: 401 W Fayette Ave, Effingham, IL 62401
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk.
- Routes Served: Illini, Saluki, City of New Orleans.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 190 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 90 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 205 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 200 |
10. Galesburg, IL (GBB)
A historic railroad town, Galesburg is a major junction for Amtrak, connecting routes to Quincy and Kansas City.
- Address: 225 S Seminary St, Galesburg, IL 61401
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk, checked baggage service.
- Routes Served: Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandburg, Southwest Chief, California Zephyr.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 165 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 185 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 180 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 175 |
11. Homewood, IL (HMW)
Serving the southern suburbs of Chicago, Homewood is a convenient stop for those living outside the immediate city center.
- Address: 18039 Dixie Hwy, Homewood, IL 60430
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, restrooms, free parking, QuickTrak kiosk, connection to Metra Electric Line.
- Routes Served: City of New Orleans, Illini, Saluki, Wolverine, Blue Water, Cardinal.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 25 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 40 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 25 |
12. Joliet, IL (JOL)
A major transportation hub southwest of Chicago, Joliet’s new multimodal station connects Amtrak, Metra, and buses.
- Address: 90 E Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60432
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk, connections to Metra Rock Island and Heritage Corridor lines.
- Routes Served: Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle, Pere Marquette.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 40 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 260 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 45 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 35 |
13. Kewanee, IL (KEE)
Another west-central Illinois stop, Kewanee is on the route to Quincy.
- Address: 100 N Tremont St, Kewanee, IL 61443
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, free parking. Unstaffed.
- Routes Served: Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandburg.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 135 |
| Galesburg, IL | 30 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 150 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 140 |
14. La Grange, IL (LAG)
A western suburb of Chicago, La Grange offers a convenient stop for residents along the BNSF corridor.
- Address: 25 W Burlington Ave, La Grange, IL 60525
- Key Amenities: Open-air shelter, free parking. Unstaffed. Connections to Metra BNSF Line.
- Routes Served: California Zephyr, Southwest Chief. (Note: Only these long-distance trains stop here).
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 15 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 15 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 12 |
15. Lincoln, IL (LCN)
Named after Abraham Lincoln (and the first city to be named after him), this central Illinois town is a stop on the Lincoln Service.
- Address: 180 N Chicago St, Lincoln, IL 62656
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, restrooms, free parking. Unstaffed.
- Routes Served: Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 165 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 115 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 180 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 175 |
16. Macomb, IL (MAC)
Home to Western Illinois University, Macomb serves the far western region of the state.
- Address: 120 E Calhoon St, Macomb, IL 61455
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk.
- Routes Served: Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandburg.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 200 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 150 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 215 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 210 |
17. Mattoon, IL (MTN)
A former railroad hub, Mattoon continues its rail legacy with Amtrak service in central Illinois.
- Address: 1718 Broadway Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk.
- Routes Served: Illini, Saluki, City of New Orleans.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 170 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 120 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 185 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 180 |
18. Mendota, IL (MDT)
A small, unstaffed stop on the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief routes.
- Address: 700 Main St, Mendota, IL 61342
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, free parking. Unstaffed.
- Routes Served: California Zephyr, Southwest Chief.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 85 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 75 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 70 |
19. Naperville, IL (NPV)
A major western suburb of Chicago, Naperville’s station is a popular stop for long-distance trains.
- Address: 105 E 5th Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk, connections to Metra BNSF Line.
- Routes Served: California Zephyr, Southwest Chief. (Note: Only these long-distance trains stop here).
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 28 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 25 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 23 |
20. Normal, IL (BNL)
Home to Illinois State University, Normal boasts a modern multimodal transportation center (Uptown Station) that integrates Amtrak with local buses and taxis.
- Address: 11 Uptown Cir, Normal, IL 61761
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking (nearby garage), accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk, Amtrak Thruway connecting services.
- Routes Served: Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 130 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 145 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 145 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 140 |
| Central Illinois Reg. Airport (BMI) | 5 |
21. Plano, IL (PLO)
A far western suburb of Chicago, Plano is another stop for select long-distance trains.
- Address: 100 S Main St, Plano, IL 60545
- Key Amenities: Open-air shelter, free parking. Unstaffed. Connections to Metra BNSF Line.
- Routes Served: California Zephyr, Southwest Chief. (Note: Only these long-distance trains stop here).
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 50 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 45 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 40 |
22. Pontiac, IL (PON)
Located on Historic Route 66, Pontiac is a charming stop for train travelers.
- Address: 100 W Water St, Pontiac, IL 61764
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, restrooms, free parking. Unstaffed.
- Routes Served: Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 95 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 205 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 110 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 105 |
23. Princeton, IL (PCT)
Serving the smaller communities in north-central Illinois, Princeton is a stop on the routes to Galesburg and beyond.
- Address: 100 S Main St, Princeton, IL 61356
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk.
- Routes Served: Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandburg, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 100 |
| Galesburg, IL | 65 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 105 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 100 |
24. Quincy, IL (QUN)
The westernmost point of the Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg routes, Quincy is a historic city on the Mississippi River.
- Address: 301 S Front St, Quincy, IL 62301
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk.
- Routes Served: Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandburg.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 260 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 130 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 275 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 270 |
| Quincy Regional Airport (UIN) | 15 |
25. Rantoul, IL (RTL)
A small stop just north of Champaign-Urbana.
- Address: 112 E Congress Ave, Rantoul, IL 61866
- Key Amenities: Enclosed waiting area, free parking. Unstaffed.
- Routes Served: Illini, Saluki, City of New Orleans.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 125 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 15 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 140 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 135 |
26. Springfield, IL (SPR)
The capital of Illinois, Springfield is a major stop on the Lincoln Service line and a city rich in Abraham Lincoln history.
- Address: 102 N 3rd St, Springfield, IL 62701 (New station currently under construction, check Amtrak for latest info)
- Key Amenities: Ticketed station, restrooms, free parking, accessible platform, QuickTrak kiosk, Amtrak Thruway connecting services.
- Routes Served: Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle.
| Destination | Distance (miles, approx. driving) |
|---|---|
| Chicago (Union Station) | 200 |
| St. Louis (Gateway) | 100 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 215 |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | 210 |
| Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI) | 5 |
Why Choose Amtrak in Illinois?
- Comfort & Space: More legroom and wider seats than air travel, plus the freedom to get up and move around.
- Avoid Traffic: Especially for trips to or from Chicago, train travel eliminates highway headaches.
- Scenic Views: Enjoy the diverse landscapes of Illinois, from urban skylines to vast farmlands.
- Convenience: Many stations are located downtown, closer to your final destination than distant airports.
- Affordability: Often competitive with driving (when factoring in gas and parking) or flying, especially if booked in advance.
- Eco-Friendly: A greener way to travel compared to flying or driving solo.
Tips for a Smooth Amtrak Journey
- Book in Advance: Especially for peak travel times, tickets can sell out or be more expensive last minute.
- Arrive Early: For staffed stations, aim for 30 minutes before departure. For unstaffed stops, 15-20 minutes is usually sufficient.
- Check Baggage Policy: Amtrak has generous luggage allowances, but be aware of carry-on limits and checked baggage availability at your station.
- Snacks & Drinks: While most trains have a Cafe Car, bringing your own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages is always a good idea.
- Stay Updated: Check Amtrak’s website or app for real-time train status. Delays can happen.
- Accessibility: All Amtrak trains and most stations are accessible. If you need assistance, note it when booking and arrive early.
Illinois’ Amtrak network offers a fantastic way to explore the state and connect to major hubs. Whether you’re a seasoned rail traveler or looking to try something new, we hope this guide helps you plan your next adventure on the rails! Happy travels!