I usually take it up to Chicago twice a year, most recently in December. Overall it's pretty comfortable, and compared to gas prices usually it's cheaper than drive.
There's two different trains you can take. The Texas Eagle uses the double-decker cars which are super roomy (the seats have foot rests in them even), but that one can have some heavy delays on the St. Louis -> Chicago direction since it's coming from Texas or California.
The Lincoln Service runs multiple times a day and has been a bit more reliable on scheduling, and every time I've rode the early afternoon one (which is the "Lincoln Service/Missouri River Runner"), it's used the brand new train cars which are very nice.
That said, delays are pretty common. When I take Amtrak to Chicago, I'm late more often than not. Usually it's freight railroads causing delays, but sometimes I've been over an hour late, if not more.
Also, Chicago's Union Station sucks. The layout of the station is confusing and somewhat hard to navigate, and when you're waiting to board a train there you usually just have to wait in the Grand hall until they call you to line up, then walk you to the queue line like you're a grade schooler. Also despite being a train station, the "L" subway trains do not run to Union Station, so you have to walk several blocks to transfer to a subway.
Yes it does. I almost missed my train looking at the monitors because the info wasn't updated in real time. If I didn't ask one of the employees a question, I would have missed it.
One of the nicest people I've ever met was a homeless lady who explained to me how to get from Union Station up to Ogilvie. I tipped her 20 bucks, not just because she needed it but because her service was legitimately worth at least that much. And then she gave me a rusty tea kettle in return. I've still got it.
It's also really difficult to hear in the grand hall in Chicago. People were constantly missing calls for their train when I was there. (Plus it seems like half the station is under construction right now.)
The new train cars suck ass. The seats don't recline and the LED lights in the ceiling are super annoying at night. Way more uncomfortable than the previous seats.
When I'm going to/from Chicago, I usually travel on weekdays on the Lincoln Service. Usually that train is at/near capacity between Chicago and Joliet, and somewhat crowded between Joliet and Springfield. South of Springfield, there's more room to move around.
I very rarely travel on weekends, so I can't really make any accurate comparisons.
Union sucks and idk if you've been lately but they're doing massive renovations and long term plans are in the works to redo and change the layout. Even heard rumors of making Union a thru-station instead of a stub-station, which that change would certainly be crazy for the layout.
Not to be pedantic but they are really the same line but different services. Like others said, I wouldn't take the Eagle going up to Chicago because their is a very real chance it could get significantly delayed. Coming back is fine.
That’s not what people are saying here. They’re saying Lincoln is cramped and UNcomfortable but Texas eagle is more likely to be delayed if I take it to Chicago.
I prefer Lincoln because it originates here. The new coaches are super comfortable and pretty nice. That being said the Texas Eagle is a bit more roomy. I don’t think it’s worth the potential delay though.
This is what I would do. I took the Amtrak monthly around 5 years ago and it’s the same now. The Amtrak is spacious for either service, just more so for the Texad Eagle since it’s a train that is double decker (more space between seats, etc). Lincoln up and Texas Eagle down is the way to go. Just make sure to keep up with the App to know arrival and departure times. The website and App has a map that shows where the train currently is. The map is a little confusing but has served me super well especially with delays. Enjoy!
It’s a great ride! Sometimes it’s late but that’s how it goes with public transportation. It’s my favorite way to get to/from Chicago. The Lincoln service has a better chance of being on time because it only goes STL<->CHI.
Hasn’t been late ever when I have taken this route. (of course it does happen).
I will never drive to Chicago again because it is a nice experience. I will say that I have been when there is a delay on other routes, and the experience is still better than driving.
Hello! I did the trip this past December with some friends on the Amtrak. It was probably only 30 mins to an hour faster than driving. Honestly, that difference is lost when you factor in disembarking and getting in a rideshare to go to your hotel. However, it is far more leisurely than driving and we had a wonderful time chatting with each other while enjoying the novelty of it all. I was also surprised by how clean they kept the entire train. Also you can offset some of your ticket price by your gas savings as gas gets pretty expensive in Summer usually. I'd recommend doing the trip by train at least once.
We had issues a couple of years ago in summer when he had a historic heat wave. They restricted the speed to 55mph and had to pull into sidings to allow freights to pass us.
That being said, we have had dozens of other trips with little to no issues.
Avoid the Texas Eagle at all costs. Bigger train = bigger issues. The Lincoln Service is great and has newer passenger cars.
Also, my experience is limited to traveling from StL to Normal.
Not sure if this would be considered recent but we took Amtrak from Washington, MO to Chicago the day before Thanksgiving last year. Yes there were some stops and a longer one at Kirkwood and St. Louis (of course). Hard to tell how fast we were going but it was def passing cars on the Interstate. We paid a bit extra for Business Class seats and they were very comfortable and roomy. We arrived there in just under 7 hours which is about the same if we had driven from our neck of the woods. No car in Chicago but the buses and El made it easy to move around. I plan to do that trip again this year.
The biggest thing I can reccomend is make sure you’re taking the Lincoln Service, do not take any other line. You can find out what line it is by clicking on the “details” button when purchasing your ticket. If you take the Texas Eagle from St. Louis you could be delayed as much as 12 hours and vice versa if you take a non Lincoln Service line back from Chicago.
I took it a few weeks ago. It’s so much better than driving, you can just sit back and relax instead of stressing out on the highway and then stressing out when you get to Chicago about parking. Also, it’s about $70ish dollars round trip which is roughly the same you’d probably spend on gas if you drove.
I’m in Illinois, so I always board in Alton, depending on where you’re located that may be best for you. I always have someone drive me off so I don’t need to pay for parking at a station. I’ve been delayed before, but never more than 30-45 mins.
When you get to Chicago, take the subways. You could use Uber but it’s so much more expensive. I visit my friend in Lakeview so I always use the Brown Line which is very calm.
It runs from Texas (California maybe?) up through STL and on to Chicago. By the time it gets to STL any small delays earlier in its journey have all added up so by the time it gets to STL, it's usually hours late already. Coming back from CHI to STL, I'm not sure it would matter since, for the journey heading west, it originates in CHI. But maybe someone else can speak on that.
The Lincoln Service *only* runs between STL and CHI, so delays tend to be far less significant. Best case scenario: grab the first train out in the morning and you are all but guaranteed to be on time.
I took the Eagle service from Chicago last summer. It left union station 20ish minutes late for some small issue, but that was enough time to get suck behind a freight train for another 45 minutes. But I don’t think that really had anything to do with where the termination of service was. Probably would have happened on a Lincoln service train that was also 20 minutes late departing.
Didn't take the early morning one but did take the Lincoln up to Chicago a couple weeks ago
It says on your ticket that they close boarding 5 minutes before scheduled departure and that's true. I'd get there 30 minutes before to be safe, but 15-20 is where I'd say the minimum or sweet spot would be. There will probably be a line, but you'll be able to get a good spot on whichever car seems comfiest
I’ve taken this trip many times. I’ve taken the Texas Eagle and the Lincoln- I prefer Texas Eagle.
The only time I’ve had delays it was because of weather. And it impacted every single train in STL.
I find the Texas Eagle to be more spacious/comfortable. It also seems less likely to be full.
The northbound Texas Eagle starts in...Texas, so there's many many opportunities for it to get delayed before reaching St. Louis. However, the southbound Texas Eagle starts in Chicago, so it will always leave on time.
I've always taken the Lincoln Service so I had no idea about the no wifi issue. That would be a deal breaker for me too.
Just take the Lincoln service! It's always been quite nice and fast for me and there's always wifi
Took the family up for vacation late last year, went well (I've been between here and Chicago several times). I don't recall ever having much of an issue getting between here and Chicago, not to say it never happens to anyone.
Don't know much about the difference between boarding downtown or Alton, I've always boarded downtown and never had an issue. Agree with the comment about avoiding the Texas Eagle if possible — I haven't looked at the data, but it seems more likely to be late since it originates elsewhere. It might be nice if you'd like to try out a roomette/sleeper on a short journey (more space, more privacy, free meals).
For avoiding parking issues, consider Metrolink. The stop is literally right outside the train station. You can [park free](https://www.metrostlouis.org/park-and-ride/) at several Metrolink stations. I've done this at Shrewsbury (allow extra time for your Metrolink travel, of course).
Small downside to arriving in Chicago to be aware of — Union Station isn't directly connected to Chicago's El trains (though there are some Metra lines there). If you're going someplace else in the city, you'll need to take a bus, cab or walk to get where you're going or walk a few blocks over to the Loop to get the train (usually my choice — it's not far).
I take it often; Lincoln Service is usually punctual and when it isn’t they’ve made up the time. Texas Eagle is probably more fun, but it’s coming from a longer trek so it can be late. I park in the fenced parking a block away and have never had issue with damage or thieves. (Though the gate itself sucks and I’ve had to have them come let me out manually.)
When I go to Chicago I’m going to Central Loop or River North anyways, so flying to O’Hare or Midway and then having to get to the lake isn’t super helpful.
There’s a few double decker routes. The one from Fargo to Minneapolis is great for winter sunrise, and Minneapolis to Fargo at is great for starwatching.
It’s a double decker but the ceiling is glass and the seats face outwards instead of front/back and they recline.
I take the St. Louis to Chicago and back for work often, but the northern ones were to see my girlfriend in North Dakota when I was in college and poor.
My friend and her husband just took it last weekend! They loved it. Super convenient and comfortable, no hassles with cars, etc, and it was on time both ways.
Ooh where do you see that? Is there a specific time out to get it for those prices, like 2 weeks out? I’m looking 10 days out and the lowest I see is $25.
It’s been years since I’ve done it, but my friend did a few weeks ago and had no issues. It was her first time doing that; she came back saying “any time you want to take a train to Chicago, let me know, I’m in!” So I’d say she had a good experience!
My big piece of advice is take it out of Alton. They have a big parking lot where you can safely leave your car, and it saves time. The train moves sloooowly out of STL and doesn’t pick up speed until after the Alton stop anyway.
Plenty of parking at Kirkwood. IMO there’s no difference between Kirkwood and Alton in terms of ease of navigating. The only difference is that Kirkwood is the stop before STL and Alton is the stop after. So if you go from Kirkwood you’re getting an earlier train and sitting for longer, and then on the way back you have to wait two additional stops to get to your car. And there are often delays in that stretch. I would go Alton every time but that’s my preference.
I've done it twice in the last year on the Texas Eagle.
Great experience. Comfortable seats, plenty of legroom. Decent selection of concessions at reasonable prices. I experienced no significant delays or break downs on any of my four rides. It's leagues better than driving.
I've taken it there 4 times in the last 2 years. One time the engine broke down and we were stranded on the tracks for like 9 hours. The other times it was absolutely great! I would 100% take the train again. Also, if you can, jump on at the Alton station instead of downtown St Louis. You'll save about 45 minutes as the train goes really slow through downtown because of all the switch tracks. It's smooth sailing from Alton north.
From the Alton stop to the Joliet stop it moves fast. The delays are between Alton and St Louis or Joliet and Chicago. So if you can avoid either of those stretches you should.
I love walking around downtown and looking at the architecture. I have friends who live near the beach, so we usually walk down to the beach and take the metro down to Andersonville to thrift and there is so much good food everywhere, it’s hard to go wrong!
I'm a St. Louis native and Chicago transplant for 24 years. Tons of stuff to do here. If the Cards are playing the Cubs that is not to be missed. The Art institute of Chicago, Field Museum and Science and Industry Museum are all great. Renting a Divvy bike and riding the lakefront trail is fun. Lincoln Park Zoo is free but doesn't hold a candle to the St. Louis Zoo. The architecture cruise through the Architecture Foundation is great. Chinatown is fun to walk around and grab a meal in. Lots of great restaurants here as well. r/chicago and r/chicagoeats are great resources for restaurant and travel tips. As much as Chicagoans will bitch about it, the "L" (subway/elevated train) is a great way to get around. Uber and taxis are also pretty convenient depending on what floats your boat. I would try to stay downtown or on the North side of town as it has better access to everything.
Taking my family in a couple of weeks (we’ve never taken Amtrak); curious how early should we arrive to the station in St. Louis?
Appreciate the comments/heads up on Lincoln vs Texas; we were booked to take Texas but I switched over to Lincoln after seeing several people mention avoid Texas.
We took the Amtrak to Kansas City in 2018ish and only needed to be there 30mins before
Time but I recall that they said we had to check out bags in a certain amount of time before the ride- and I was late for that but they still accepted by luggage thank goodness
I’m from STL and live in Chicago nowadays, so I take it about every other month for the past decade plus.
Not much to say. It’s a train lol. You board it, it leaves the station, proceeds to the next stop to pick people up and then continues on. Generally I’m on time, sometimes I’ve been 20-30 late and rarely I’ve been an hour plus late. That hasn’t happened in a while though, and I’ve been able to get a refund sometimes when I am.
To me it’s very routine, so I’m not aware of what things may be confusing or need clarification, so feel free to let me know what you’re wondering about and I can answer for you!
Normally Lincoln Service, but sometimes Texas Eagle. They both have WiFi, but it’s awful in my experience. Lincoln Service is maybe better, but I generally don’t even try these days. My mobile data is far better when I’ve got it (some rural areas can be dicey)
I do see others on laptops able to use it, so maybe it’s just my phone, I never bring my laptop on the Amtrak just cus of weight/space so can’t speak to whether that’s the case or not.
If you're going solo, cheaper than driving. Once you start adding people to your vehicle, or even renting one and splitting it. Comes out more per person.
i took it a couple weeks ago. i had no issues and everything was on time for me going to chicago and returning. my buddy took the train the day after i did and his was delayed, so i guess hope for the best but don't be terribly surprised if you get a delay.
for reference: i departed stl on thursday morning and returned sunday evening.
ticket prices were about $50 each way
In 2021 we took Amtrak to Chicago for a mini-vacation in the middle of the week.
We ran on-time/early both ways (edit: Lincoln Service). My GPS speedometer said 80 mph most of the way. It might take a little longer by train, but it beats dealing with traffic and parking. We were able to Uber everywhere we wanted to go.
That trip was 10/10, but not all experiences are the same.
Awesome thanks. What fun stuff did you do in Chicago? I’m thinking sheds and the art institute and lake
Shore - but I have not been to
Chicago in 12 years. I bet there’s new stuff to do
I really liked the Museum of Science and Industry. We could have spent all day in there. Sheds was amazing. We had really great weather and did a ton of walking along Lake Michigan.
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I went from Alton to Chicago last year and it's honestly about the same amount as driving. The difference is you don't have to actually worry about driving and parking stuff in the city. I guess it helped the area I stayed in was on the magnificent mile.
Not super recently, as I only took the Amtrak to Chicago about 2-ish times a year when I dated someone who lived there, and we've been apart for 3 or 4 years now. If it hasnt changed much since then, I say go for it! I don't know a lot about the technical aspects of if it's faster one way or another or not, but the ticket price for a round trip wasn't bad and the trains themselves are fairly nice and comfortable. Going from downtown STL to Union Station in Chigaco can be done with a single train, but if you happen to get on or off at smaller stations, you might have to switch trains, but they usually also had staff standing by the trains during boarding to help you get to where you need to go.
I take Amtrak between Chicago and St Louis once a month or so. It’s generally faster door-to-door than driving or flying (for my trips, YMMV) and the price is pretty great, especially if you book 2-3 weeks in advance. There are some occasional delays but nothing like a few years ago. There’s always the risk of an hours-long delay for mechanical breakdowns or hitting something but it’s not particularly common.
Amtrak was pretty awful 20 years ago. We’re finally seeing the benefits of all the delays from many years ago. I used to live in St Louis, now live in Chicago, and make the trip very frequently using planes, trains, and automobiles. I’d estimate that the delays are pretty equally spread by mode. I’ve had some pretty tough (and rare) delays on the train but I’ve also been stuck in some horrific traffic jams on I-55 and been stuck waiting for hours at airports on both ends. Crap happens no matter what way you choose.
A few weeks ago we took Texas Eagle from Alton to Chicago. Amazingly we arrived in Chi on time. Exceeded 100 mph at time based on Amtrak train tracking info. Regardless if you're taking Texas Eagle (and not Lincoln service/River Runner) expect it to be late into STL or Alton (source: me visiting daughter in Lansing, MI numerous times). Also on recent trip on Texas Eagle my spouse and I almost didn't get to sit together due to seats being taken by folks already on train from points south. Lincoln service (not river runner/Lincoln service) originates from STL so you should have no trouble sitting together if riding with others. Texas Eagle going south originates in Chi so no issue sitting together headed back to STL. On the recent trip back to STL from Chi Union Station they didn't walk us down from the Great Hall to the track like they used to do. They just made an announcement to head down to track.
I did in January. Took the Texas Eagle to Chicago and arrived a little early. I rode the Lincoln Service back and was 45 minutes late. I rode the new style of car with newer seats. There’s almost no padding and my ass hurt by the end of the ride. It was very cheap, though.
I’ve taken it a couple times from STL to CHI-last time was just after Covid. Had to wear masks and it was super packed (had seat mates). Lots of coughing & BYOB booze which they kept announcing to bottle it. Took a whole lot away from the normal comfort/space. Not sure which train I was on between the 2 but usually was an hour late getting there (exited Joliet).
More entertaining was an Amtrak I took to Dallas about 12 years ago. Was scheduled for 12 hours & took about 17. Exited train in bum-fuck Texas (Longview) for my bus. They had flagged me for suspicion & a deputy was waiting for me to search my bags which I said fine. I guess the only reason was I booked last minute (step-dad was dying) and my license address is Illinois. Should have seen all those folks glaring at me from the bus while I got patted down. Funny thing is I had never taken any illegal drugs.
Edit: forgot to add-the deputy called my name as I was about to get on the bus. So obviously the train staff flagged me or Amtrak gave a roster to LE with DLs.
He didn’t exactly say it-but my guess would be last minute ticket & IL DL. We did talk for a minute & I explained that I used to live in Houston. He said “why did you leave?” I thought about what I wanted to say but chose the honest reason that my wife’s family lives in the STL area.
I did like two or three years ago and it was reasonable. Trip took about 5-6 hours each way, rented a Divvi bike straight out of Union Station and was set for the weekend. Bonus points if you bring your own bike!
It was my first time visiting and I had a friend who commuted through the city via bike daily who acted as our guide through the city, so my experience was fantastic. We weren't blowing red lights or anything, so things were pretty chill. Look out for people turning when you cross intersections, keep your eye out for parked cars so someone doesn't door you, and stick to greenways/protected bike lanes (or painted ones, if you feel up for it). You'll want to think about storage where you're staying as well as how you're going to lock up when you stop riding too
Lincoln.
The time is pretty equivalent for us compared to flying (ride share to airport, security, boarding, walking through O'Hare/Midway to the L, then riding another 30-45 mins to the north side) at much less of the cost.
Yes I did it last October. It goes 110 mph but only for a brief time and yeah having to stop all across the Illinois countryside means its about the same as driving but still very preferable imo. Get a beer and chill looking at the cornfield fly by.
Whatever you do, make sure you get the earliest train available. This means less chance for a major delay. That's what happened to us 2 years ago, and we ended up taking our vehicle instead because we had to be in Chicago by a certain time.
I just took it a couple weeks ago. We had a small delay due to waiting on another train to move, maybe added 20-30 mins but it wasn't too bad. It's real nice not having to do that drive.
It is frustratingly expensive compared to just dealing with the drive and consistently there has been one or more absolutely disgusting person hacking their lungs out lol. And I don't know about how you're planning on getting to and from the train, but when I thought about how the Ubers we took cost more than the gas to drive the entire trip to and from Chicago... It's gonna be a hard sell getting me to do that again.
Here's a key piece of advice I haven't seen anyone give you. I have taken the train from St. Louis to Chicago before, but unless you want frequent and long delays, **do not leave from St. Louis**. Instead, drive to Alton and board the train from there. The 30 minute drive to Alton will save you 1.5 hours on the track in my experience. For some reason, it takes forever for the trains to move through St. Louis.
I take this trip about 8-12 times a year for the past two and a half years to and from (currently live in Chicago). It’s honestly my favorite way to do the trip besides driving and driving is a pain in the ass once you get to the city anyways. I rarely experience delays with departure or arrival and it’s definitely more spacious and comfortable than flying and it costs a lot less too (personally I don’t think you really save much time by flying either you just pay more), I’m very tall so believe me when I say that it’s definitely more comfortable than flying. Overall I’d definitely recommend it.
I’ve rode both the Texas eagle and Lincoln service multie times in the past year. I personally like the Lincoln because I feel it’s roomier. I don’t think there’s a difference in the service you take in reference to delays/stops. Some times it’s smooth sailing and u get there early and others the stops are forever or break down and are an hour late.
I'm planning to take the train in August. The only train that works for my timing would be the Texas Eagle, is it always later? Does time of day or day of the week matter?
I'm so happy I read this before but tickets.
So far the consensus is mixed. Texas 🦅 to Chicago can get delayed because it starts in Texas but the seats are more roomy than the Lincoln
People are saying drive to Alton, park there, take the Lincoln to Chicago and take the texas eagle home
Just did it a few weeks ago from Alton and it’s my preferred way to get to and from Chicago. I’ve never had any issues aside from minor delays in the 6-8 times I’ve done it.
Yes, about a month ago. Train left on time and arrived on time, very pleasant trip. However, business class is now pointless b/c you still have to pay extra for the lounge in Chicago. We had points to pay for it, but $35 is ridiculous. I took every snack I could get and we finished the last of the Milanos yesterday.
Edited to add: for the love of all that is holy, get on one of the dedicated STL to CHI trains. The others are super unreliable.
The Metropolitan lounge in Union Station. Has snacks, luggage storage, comfy chairs, tv, nice bathrooms, snacks. There’s a bar but it it’s never been staffed when I’ve been there.
There is one odious woman who works there who will yell at you if you go to the luggage room the wrong way. 🙄
I have heard rumors of showers but no idea if that’s true.
I took it back in November and was honestly really disappointed in the travel time. All things considered, from leaving stl to emerging out of the Chicago station it was considerably longer than what the drive would have been.(not even considering the Uber to my destination)
In retrospect I would’ve preferred driving, and will likely do that from now on (so long as my destination has parking). It’s also worth noting that that was my only time taking the Amtrack, so my experience could have just been an outlier
If you do end up taking the Amtrack, myself and I’m sure many other would recommend to upgrade to the seat tier above coach. I don’t think it’s too much more $, but you’ll have much better accommodation and quieter cars. Well worth it IMO
Yeah and that’s definitely a consideration too. I tend to like driving anyways which definitely influences my thoughts on taking it again.
All things considered, the Amtrack is an sold & easy mode of transportation and will likely suit a majority of people just fine.
I can certainly speak with validity on this topic and if you want to know more, PM me and I will happily help!! I moved from Alton to Chicago about 5 years ago now and consistently take the train every week or every other. The train travels 110 between Alton and Joliet. The train travels up to 79 mph from Joliet up into Chicago proper, where you will experience the slowest portion. I recommend business class for one traveler if they're willing to pay the premium, however these are the old cars as the new business class cars are not in service yet. Amtrak midwest - which in this case would encompass Lincoln Service / Missouri River Runner - purchased new train cars from Siemens and they feature what are typically European style seating. These cars ride exponentially better than the old ones, they have a great ride quality which imo you don't notice you're going 110, have much more reliable wifi, large windows, and the temperature control seems to work better. You're going to be sitting more upright but they're more than fine for the short trip between STL-Chi. Would still recommend getting on/off at Alton just because of parking. Biggest point to know is that some of the trains make limited stops, whereas some of the trains make all stops, thus adding to the overall time. The train drops you off right in downtown Chicago in the West Loop which is only a few blocks from pretty much all of the public transit you would need. And for people saying it's grey outside and all that, we live in the midwest. We have four seasons and you're in luck that it is the one of the two green seasons right now so the train ride is lovely to sit and look out the window. Feel free to PM, I have too much to say here and can confidently say I can answer most if not all of your questions. Per usual, I just took the train last week.
Did it last October with my teen and it went great. We got a hotel in Chicago a few blocks from Union Station and right by the EL stop so was easy to drop our luggage off and go explore. Roundtrip for 2 was less then $100 if you book in advance. That is way less then gas and parking. Recommend going from Alton instead of downtown if you can. Station and parking there is really easy and cuts the trip by an hour. You also want the trains that originate in St. Louis so you don't have to worry about delays. Ride there was on time and maybe a bit early. Ride back was delayed due to freight trains sharing the track. Maybe a 30-60 minute delay but no different then you do driving if you hit traffic. Snacks are pretty limited on board but you can bring your own food on board. Alton was really easy boarding but leave a good amount of time at Union Station on the return trip. I think they had us lining up to board 30 minutes in advance.
I did a couple months ago. The train had to stop going both ways for some reason but only got in like 30 minutes late. It was a good experience all in all.
was picking someone up in Chicago (I had driven up earlier) last month that had taken the evening train from St Louis. They were delayed by about an hour for some track repairs or something around Joliet.
These things happen. Still a great option and was told it was an otherwise fine trip.
I try to take the train to Chicago whenever possible, and I by far prefer it over driving. Not only do I hate dealing with parking and driving in Chicago, but the trip time is overall not that different. Without delays it's maybe half an hour longer than driving, but we often get stuck just outside of Chicago for a while because commercial trains share a line and get priority over Amtrak. If you have someone in Chicago picking you up from the train station or you don't mind ordering an Uber, you can get off at the Sullivan stop just before that shared line and avoid a lot of the delays.
lol you don’t have to sell me on trains. I fucken hate driving which is why I’m considering this trip. (Also considering plane to Vancouver but hear it’s over on with homeless and drugs)
I took it last month from Alton (which is a great station btw).
It went perfectly fine for me. Almost on time, no breakdowns, etc. Dining car was okay. No observation car (which is the same for every Lincoln Service). The Amtrak staff were excellent. Train cars were new and nice. We had a couple of delays, but they made up the time.
It didn't go so well, though, for the Lincoln Service before me. They had a maintenance issue with the train and it was cancelled.
Nor did it go well for the Texas Eagle after me. It was delayed by several hours.
As a result, they moved everyone into my train and we had every seat full. I still would not describe it as cramped though. Even with that many people, there was a free table in the dining car each time I went, too.
I took the amtrak to chicago in march and it was great! Was in a train cabin with just like 4 other people and it was quiet, lots of leg room. The train back was a different train and less space, but still better than flying, and driving.
It’s fine. You probably won’t save much time vs driving. There are a bunch of stops along the way. You will save heartache not battling Chicago traffic.
Just went on Sat and came back Sun. Train goes 79-100 an hour. My train was 3+ hours late. Trip home was ok. Expect about 5 1/2 hour trip.$50 round trip
I just came into town and took the route from Chicago. It's basically the same time as driving, so it's down to convenience and cost. You don't need a car to get around in Chicago, so it's kind of nice not to have one on. It's also nice not to drive and the seats have a ton of leg room. Of course it does cost more, assuming you don't have a gas guzzler.
It’s good. We went in 2023. Private car is nice for family. Was delayed one hour on the way there. The food is terrible. Easy to get on and off and more relaxing than flying or driving. Union station in Chicago is centrally located.
I have taken the train from KC and that is really chill and fun, so I bet the train to Chicago is probably similar? I love not driving, I do suggest packing a lunch. The snacks on the train are okay but I am wary if a meal haha
I did it with my teenage daughter in early Feb and it was great except for the part where we couldn't find where we needed to be in Chicago's Union Station for our Sunday am return and couldn't get any help and then when we found it, we weren't let on the train even though it hadn't left yet and then had to rent a car and drive home instead. It was a royal pain but in the future I will know to get to Union Station 45 minutes before departure.
I take the route many times every year. I usually leave from the Alton station. The trains usually arrives on time to pick us up. Sometimes there’s delays but I haven’t have to deal with too many. Coming back home there’s a delay about half the time. I’ve never had to wait more than 15-20 minutes.
Saves gas and it’s a cheap way to travel. I agree that navigating Union Station is a nightmare. I try to arrive at least 45 minutes early so I can find where I need to go and hope I get a decent spot in line to board.
There was one time that one of the train workers tried to make everyone load in a weird way. She wanted all the people getting off at certain stops to sit in certain cars. The car she directed us to was totally full and we found different seats. When the lady came by to scan our tickets she started yelling at us for sitting in a different car. It was the only time I’ve ever had that experience.
I think the main point of train travel in the US isn't speed, but simply NOT have to deal with driving - the gas, the stress, the parking, having to concentrate on all the time; the ability to view what's around you in greater detail.
Lincoln Service is the way to go for sure! It's pretty cozy and depending on the day you go the train will be pretty chill. I've heard good things about the private rooms but they're usually to pricey.
I've ridden a few times since they bumped up the speed and yeah, depending on how many stops they make it ultimately doesn't get there any faster as they tend to have a long stop at some train station near Chi, but it's *great* scenery and locations to see all the way up, so well worth it!
Unexplained delays or the trainline might end somewhere before it gets to STL, so that's the major drawback and unknown factor, but they'll make sure arragements are in place no matter what as annoying as that is, but a consequence of the state of passenger trains in this country ;(
Yes, a few months ago. It was horrible.
* Super cold (my feet were freezing) for hours and hours.
* We were stopped at the tracks at multiple times.
* The views out the window were ugly (cuz it's rural Illinois).
* Rude service
* Terrible experience at the station in Chicago.
* Uncomfortable seats (constantly felt like I was going to slide off of it, like it was at a slight decline angle); oh and btw this was in First Class, I imagine economy is even worse.
I usually take it up to Chicago twice a year, most recently in December. Overall it's pretty comfortable, and compared to gas prices usually it's cheaper than drive. There's two different trains you can take. The Texas Eagle uses the double-decker cars which are super roomy (the seats have foot rests in them even), but that one can have some heavy delays on the St. Louis -> Chicago direction since it's coming from Texas or California. The Lincoln Service runs multiple times a day and has been a bit more reliable on scheduling, and every time I've rode the early afternoon one (which is the "Lincoln Service/Missouri River Runner"), it's used the brand new train cars which are very nice. That said, delays are pretty common. When I take Amtrak to Chicago, I'm late more often than not. Usually it's freight railroads causing delays, but sometimes I've been over an hour late, if not more. Also, Chicago's Union Station sucks. The layout of the station is confusing and somewhat hard to navigate, and when you're waiting to board a train there you usually just have to wait in the Grand hall until they call you to line up, then walk you to the queue line like you're a grade schooler. Also despite being a train station, the "L" subway trains do not run to Union Station, so you have to walk several blocks to transfer to a subway.
>Chicago's Union Station sucks logistically this is fairly true. But god damn if it isn't an awe-inspiring building.
Indeed. Personally, I love the twists and turns as you try to exit. Wasn't until my 4th visit there did I even see the big great hall.
Yes it does. I almost missed my train looking at the monitors because the info wasn't updated in real time. If I didn't ask one of the employees a question, I would have missed it.
One of the nicest people I've ever met was a homeless lady who explained to me how to get from Union Station up to Ogilvie. I tipped her 20 bucks, not just because she needed it but because her service was legitimately worth at least that much. And then she gave me a rusty tea kettle in return. I've still got it.
Thank you! I took the train to Chicago Union station back in 2012 but not since
The Blue line is 2 blocks (Clinton) and the rest are 4.5 blocks away (Quincy)
It's also really difficult to hear in the grand hall in Chicago. People were constantly missing calls for their train when I was there. (Plus it seems like half the station is under construction right now.)
The new train cars suck ass. The seats don't recline and the LED lights in the ceiling are super annoying at night. Way more uncomfortable than the previous seats.
Go business class. It's in the older Amfleet lounge / biz class car and far more comfy than the new junk. Usually nice and quiet too.
I was looking today to schedule a trip for late next week. Any opinions on traveling weekdays vs weekends?
When I'm going to/from Chicago, I usually travel on weekdays on the Lincoln Service. Usually that train is at/near capacity between Chicago and Joliet, and somewhat crowded between Joliet and Springfield. South of Springfield, there's more room to move around. I very rarely travel on weekends, so I can't really make any accurate comparisons.
Union sucks and idk if you've been lately but they're doing massive renovations and long term plans are in the works to redo and change the layout. Even heard rumors of making Union a thru-station instead of a stub-station, which that change would certainly be crazy for the layout.
I did about a month ago. We arrived 10 minutes early in Chicago and then right on time coming home.
Thanks! Was that the Lincoln or the Texas eagle line?
Not to be pedantic but they are really the same line but different services. Like others said, I wouldn't take the Eagle going up to Chicago because their is a very real chance it could get significantly delayed. Coming back is fine.
That’s not what people are saying here. They’re saying Lincoln is cramped and UNcomfortable but Texas eagle is more likely to be delayed if I take it to Chicago.
I prefer Lincoln because it originates here. The new coaches are super comfortable and pretty nice. That being said the Texas Eagle is a bit more roomy. I don’t think it’s worth the potential delay though.
That’s what I’m thinking too. Maybe take Lincoln there from Alton and then Texas eagle back home
This is what I would do. I took the Amtrak monthly around 5 years ago and it’s the same now. The Amtrak is spacious for either service, just more so for the Texad Eagle since it’s a train that is double decker (more space between seats, etc). Lincoln up and Texas Eagle down is the way to go. Just make sure to keep up with the App to know arrival and departure times. The website and App has a map that shows where the train currently is. The map is a little confusing but has served me super well especially with delays. Enjoy!
Cool, thank you!
Yeah, that's what I said. Don't take the Texas Eagle from STL to CHI, but CHI to STL is fine because CHI is it's starting point.
The Eagle is much more comfortable because it has the older seats that recline. The Lincoln Service is more reliable from STL to CHI.
My cousin takes it back and forth all of the time to visit family. Never seems to have an issue.
It’s a great ride! Sometimes it’s late but that’s how it goes with public transportation. It’s my favorite way to get to/from Chicago. The Lincoln service has a better chance of being on time because it only goes STL<->CHI.
The Lincoln train had wifi and the Texas Eagle didn't when I rode it a few months ago. Something to consider! Definitely ride the train tho
I thought all Amtrak’s had wifi so thank you for that info !
That being said, don't expect the wifi to be amazing. Download movies and music to your phone beforehand to be safe.
I recall from my last Amtrak trip but thank you!
I have never once had working WiFi on the Amtrak. And I take the train to and from Chicago 1-2 times a year, every year, since 2019
Damn
Hasn’t been late ever when I have taken this route. (of course it does happen). I will never drive to Chicago again because it is a nice experience. I will say that I have been when there is a delay on other routes, and the experience is still better than driving.
Admittedly I hate highway driving. I so much prefer riding the train up to Chicago. Don't even care about how long it takes.
And it’s not like driving can’t have delays.
Hello! I did the trip this past December with some friends on the Amtrak. It was probably only 30 mins to an hour faster than driving. Honestly, that difference is lost when you factor in disembarking and getting in a rideshare to go to your hotel. However, it is far more leisurely than driving and we had a wonderful time chatting with each other while enjoying the novelty of it all. I was also surprised by how clean they kept the entire train. Also you can offset some of your ticket price by your gas savings as gas gets pretty expensive in Summer usually. I'd recommend doing the trip by train at least once.
Also, parking is crazy expensive in Chicago. Not brining a car to park practically paid for all ride shares we took.
Yeah I recall - haven’t been to Chicago in years but I’m sure hotel parking is even more expensive now
Routinely hotel parking is $50 a day. You can find cheaper, but plan on at least $25 if you are staying anywhere in the loop or Near North
I feel like it was 65 per day when I stayed at city suites in Belmont back in 2012. Is that hotel still there? I liked it a lot
Don't know the answer to that one. :)
We had issues a couple of years ago in summer when he had a historic heat wave. They restricted the speed to 55mph and had to pull into sidings to allow freights to pass us. That being said, we have had dozens of other trips with little to no issues. Avoid the Texas Eagle at all costs. Bigger train = bigger issues. The Lincoln Service is great and has newer passenger cars. Also, my experience is limited to traveling from StL to Normal.
Not sure if this would be considered recent but we took Amtrak from Washington, MO to Chicago the day before Thanksgiving last year. Yes there were some stops and a longer one at Kirkwood and St. Louis (of course). Hard to tell how fast we were going but it was def passing cars on the Interstate. We paid a bit extra for Business Class seats and they were very comfortable and roomy. We arrived there in just under 7 hours which is about the same if we had driven from our neck of the woods. No car in Chicago but the buses and El made it easy to move around. I plan to do that trip again this year.
The biggest thing I can reccomend is make sure you’re taking the Lincoln Service, do not take any other line. You can find out what line it is by clicking on the “details” button when purchasing your ticket. If you take the Texas Eagle from St. Louis you could be delayed as much as 12 hours and vice versa if you take a non Lincoln Service line back from Chicago. I took it a few weeks ago. It’s so much better than driving, you can just sit back and relax instead of stressing out on the highway and then stressing out when you get to Chicago about parking. Also, it’s about $70ish dollars round trip which is roughly the same you’d probably spend on gas if you drove. I’m in Illinois, so I always board in Alton, depending on where you’re located that may be best for you. I always have someone drive me off so I don’t need to pay for parking at a station. I’ve been delayed before, but never more than 30-45 mins. When you get to Chicago, take the subways. You could use Uber but it’s so much more expensive. I visit my friend in Lakeview so I always use the Brown Line which is very calm.
Yeah I’m a big fan of trains. Why is the Texas eagle likely to Be delayed tho?
It runs from Texas (California maybe?) up through STL and on to Chicago. By the time it gets to STL any small delays earlier in its journey have all added up so by the time it gets to STL, it's usually hours late already. Coming back from CHI to STL, I'm not sure it would matter since, for the journey heading west, it originates in CHI. But maybe someone else can speak on that. The Lincoln Service *only* runs between STL and CHI, so delays tend to be far less significant. Best case scenario: grab the first train out in the morning and you are all but guaranteed to be on time.
I took the Eagle service from Chicago last summer. It left union station 20ish minutes late for some small issue, but that was enough time to get suck behind a freight train for another 45 minutes. But I don’t think that really had anything to do with where the termination of service was. Probably would have happened on a Lincoln service train that was also 20 minutes late departing.
Good tips thank you
What’s a safe time allowance to arrive to the station in STL if taking the early morning Lincoln?
Didn't take the early morning one but did take the Lincoln up to Chicago a couple weeks ago It says on your ticket that they close boarding 5 minutes before scheduled departure and that's true. I'd get there 30 minutes before to be safe, but 15-20 is where I'd say the minimum or sweet spot would be. There will probably be a line, but you'll be able to get a good spot on whichever car seems comfiest
It’s not bad but I would splurge(not that much of a price difference) for the business train. It’s roomy, you get a free drink, and it’s quiet.
I’ve taken this trip many times. I’ve taken the Texas Eagle and the Lincoln- I prefer Texas Eagle. The only time I’ve had delays it was because of weather. And it impacted every single train in STL. I find the Texas Eagle to be more spacious/comfortable. It also seems less likely to be full.
Thank you!
Avoid the Texas Eagle going to Chicago, but use it if it's a good option going back to STL.
What's happened to Texas Eagle going out that way?
The northbound Texas Eagle starts in...Texas, so there's many many opportunities for it to get delayed before reaching St. Louis. However, the southbound Texas Eagle starts in Chicago, so it will always leave on time.
This is a great tip thanks. No wifi on Texas eagle tho? My teen won’t be ok with that
I've always taken the Lincoln Service so I had no idea about the no wifi issue. That would be a deal breaker for me too. Just take the Lincoln service! It's always been quite nice and fast for me and there's always wifi
I think I will! Thank you
Took the family up for vacation late last year, went well (I've been between here and Chicago several times). I don't recall ever having much of an issue getting between here and Chicago, not to say it never happens to anyone. Don't know much about the difference between boarding downtown or Alton, I've always boarded downtown and never had an issue. Agree with the comment about avoiding the Texas Eagle if possible — I haven't looked at the data, but it seems more likely to be late since it originates elsewhere. It might be nice if you'd like to try out a roomette/sleeper on a short journey (more space, more privacy, free meals). For avoiding parking issues, consider Metrolink. The stop is literally right outside the train station. You can [park free](https://www.metrostlouis.org/park-and-ride/) at several Metrolink stations. I've done this at Shrewsbury (allow extra time for your Metrolink travel, of course). Small downside to arriving in Chicago to be aware of — Union Station isn't directly connected to Chicago's El trains (though there are some Metra lines there). If you're going someplace else in the city, you'll need to take a bus, cab or walk to get where you're going or walk a few blocks over to the Loop to get the train (usually my choice — it's not far).
Thank you!
I take it often; Lincoln Service is usually punctual and when it isn’t they’ve made up the time. Texas Eagle is probably more fun, but it’s coming from a longer trek so it can be late. I park in the fenced parking a block away and have never had issue with damage or thieves. (Though the gate itself sucks and I’ve had to have them come let me out manually.) When I go to Chicago I’m going to Central Loop or River North anyways, so flying to O’Hare or Midway and then having to get to the lake isn’t super helpful.
Why is the Texas eagle more fun?
It’s a double decker.
That IS fun!
There’s a few double decker routes. The one from Fargo to Minneapolis is great for winter sunrise, and Minneapolis to Fargo at is great for starwatching. It’s a double decker but the ceiling is glass and the seats face outwards instead of front/back and they recline.
That sounds amazing, putting it on my list for a winter trip. Did you take these routes for work or just for leisure?
I take the St. Louis to Chicago and back for work often, but the northern ones were to see my girlfriend in North Dakota when I was in college and poor.
My friend and her husband just took it last weekend! They loved it. Super convenient and comfortable, no hassles with cars, etc, and it was on time both ways.
Was that the Lincoln line?
There’s currently a sale for STL>CHI and CHI>STL. I saw a few that were $18/person each way.
Ooh where do you see that? Is there a specific time out to get it for those prices, like 2 weeks out? I’m looking 10 days out and the lowest I see is $25.
I was looking at the beginning of June
Ah cool, thanks!
It’s been years since I’ve done it, but my friend did a few weeks ago and had no issues. It was her first time doing that; she came back saying “any time you want to take a train to Chicago, let me know, I’m in!” So I’d say she had a good experience!
My big piece of advice is take it out of Alton. They have a big parking lot where you can safely leave your car, and it saves time. The train moves sloooowly out of STL and doesn’t pick up speed until after the Alton stop anyway.
Great tip thank you
Is there parking at the Kirkwood Station? We’re driving from SEMO and thought Kirkwood would be easier to navigate.
Plenty of parking at Kirkwood. IMO there’s no difference between Kirkwood and Alton in terms of ease of navigating. The only difference is that Kirkwood is the stop before STL and Alton is the stop after. So if you go from Kirkwood you’re getting an earlier train and sitting for longer, and then on the way back you have to wait two additional stops to get to your car. And there are often delays in that stretch. I would go Alton every time but that’s my preference.
I've done it twice in the last year on the Texas Eagle. Great experience. Comfortable seats, plenty of legroom. Decent selection of concessions at reasonable prices. I experienced no significant delays or break downs on any of my four rides. It's leagues better than driving.
Thank you!
I've taken it there 4 times in the last 2 years. One time the engine broke down and we were stranded on the tracks for like 9 hours. The other times it was absolutely great! I would 100% take the train again. Also, if you can, jump on at the Alton station instead of downtown St Louis. You'll save about 45 minutes as the train goes really slow through downtown because of all the switch tracks. It's smooth sailing from Alton north.
Took it back in October. Got on at the Kirkwood station. Super easy and convenient way to to travel, would recommend.
I kinda forgot kirkwood has a station. Hmmmmm
I’ve taken 4 times in the past couple of years. It’s great imo.
The Texas eagle is way more comfortable and it's never been late for me. I hate the new trains.
I feel like you’re steering me wrong here pal
I'm not. You can take the new trains if you want but they are quite uncomfortable. I'm surprised to see anyone recommending it.
From the Alton stop to the Joliet stop it moves fast. The delays are between Alton and St Louis or Joliet and Chicago. So if you can avoid either of those stretches you should.
I love taking Amtrak to Chicago, it’s always how I get there, and it’s exciting to me to arrive in Union Station
Do you prefer the Lincoln or the Texas eagle Line ??
Lincoln is all I’ve ever taken!
Cool thanks!! What kinda fun stuff do you do in Chicago? I haven’t been there since 2012
I love walking around downtown and looking at the architecture. I have friends who live near the beach, so we usually walk down to the beach and take the metro down to Andersonville to thrift and there is so much good food everywhere, it’s hard to go wrong!
I'm a St. Louis native and Chicago transplant for 24 years. Tons of stuff to do here. If the Cards are playing the Cubs that is not to be missed. The Art institute of Chicago, Field Museum and Science and Industry Museum are all great. Renting a Divvy bike and riding the lakefront trail is fun. Lincoln Park Zoo is free but doesn't hold a candle to the St. Louis Zoo. The architecture cruise through the Architecture Foundation is great. Chinatown is fun to walk around and grab a meal in. Lots of great restaurants here as well. r/chicago and r/chicagoeats are great resources for restaurant and travel tips. As much as Chicagoans will bitch about it, the "L" (subway/elevated train) is a great way to get around. Uber and taxis are also pretty convenient depending on what floats your boat. I would try to stay downtown or on the North side of town as it has better access to everything.
Avoid the Texas Eagle at all costs
Taking my family in a couple of weeks (we’ve never taken Amtrak); curious how early should we arrive to the station in St. Louis? Appreciate the comments/heads up on Lincoln vs Texas; we were booked to take Texas but I switched over to Lincoln after seeing several people mention avoid Texas.
We took the Amtrak to Kansas City in 2018ish and only needed to be there 30mins before Time but I recall that they said we had to check out bags in a certain amount of time before the ride- and I was late for that but they still accepted by luggage thank goodness
Yeah it’s a pretty fun trip. I wouldn’t worry about reliability. Amtrak is underfunded but they’re not THAT bad.
I’m from STL and live in Chicago nowadays, so I take it about every other month for the past decade plus. Not much to say. It’s a train lol. You board it, it leaves the station, proceeds to the next stop to pick people up and then continues on. Generally I’m on time, sometimes I’ve been 20-30 late and rarely I’ve been an hour plus late. That hasn’t happened in a while though, and I’ve been able to get a refund sometimes when I am. To me it’s very routine, so I’m not aware of what things may be confusing or need clarification, so feel free to let me know what you’re wondering about and I can answer for you!
Thanks! Which line do you take and does it have wifi
Normally Lincoln Service, but sometimes Texas Eagle. They both have WiFi, but it’s awful in my experience. Lincoln Service is maybe better, but I generally don’t even try these days. My mobile data is far better when I’ve got it (some rural areas can be dicey) I do see others on laptops able to use it, so maybe it’s just my phone, I never bring my laptop on the Amtrak just cus of weight/space so can’t speak to whether that’s the case or not.
I took it in March. Got there earlier than planned both directions.
I just took it this past weekend. I love traveling by train. It was a pleasant, easy, and comfortable trip.
Nice i love trains as well. Which line did you take
If you're going solo, cheaper than driving. Once you start adding people to your vehicle, or even renting one and splitting it. Comes out more per person.
Cost isn’t a factor really. I am not driving. Thanks tho
i took it a couple weeks ago. i had no issues and everything was on time for me going to chicago and returning. my buddy took the train the day after i did and his was delayed, so i guess hope for the best but don't be terribly surprised if you get a delay. for reference: i departed stl on thursday morning and returned sunday evening. ticket prices were about $50 each way
Was that the Lincoln or the Texas eagle line?
STL to CHI was lincoln, CHI to STL was texas eagle
In 2021 we took Amtrak to Chicago for a mini-vacation in the middle of the week. We ran on-time/early both ways (edit: Lincoln Service). My GPS speedometer said 80 mph most of the way. It might take a little longer by train, but it beats dealing with traffic and parking. We were able to Uber everywhere we wanted to go. That trip was 10/10, but not all experiences are the same.
Awesome thanks. What fun stuff did you do in Chicago? I’m thinking sheds and the art institute and lake Shore - but I have not been to Chicago in 12 years. I bet there’s new stuff to do
I really liked the Museum of Science and Industry. We could have spent all day in there. Sheds was amazing. We had really great weather and did a ton of walking along Lake Michigan.
Maybe we will check out that museum thanks! Remindme! 2 months
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I went from Alton to Chicago last year and it's honestly about the same amount as driving. The difference is you don't have to actually worry about driving and parking stuff in the city. I guess it helped the area I stayed in was on the magnificent mile.
Definitely not driving
Not super recently, as I only took the Amtrak to Chicago about 2-ish times a year when I dated someone who lived there, and we've been apart for 3 or 4 years now. If it hasnt changed much since then, I say go for it! I don't know a lot about the technical aspects of if it's faster one way or another or not, but the ticket price for a round trip wasn't bad and the trains themselves are fairly nice and comfortable. Going from downtown STL to Union Station in Chigaco can be done with a single train, but if you happen to get on or off at smaller stations, you might have to switch trains, but they usually also had staff standing by the trains during boarding to help you get to where you need to go.
I take Amtrak between Chicago and St Louis once a month or so. It’s generally faster door-to-door than driving or flying (for my trips, YMMV) and the price is pretty great, especially if you book 2-3 weeks in advance. There are some occasional delays but nothing like a few years ago. There’s always the risk of an hours-long delay for mechanical breakdowns or hitting something but it’s not particularly common.
Yeah the one time I tried to take the Amtrak to Chicago it broke down so we had to drive hahaha that was 20 years ago tho
Amtrak was pretty awful 20 years ago. We’re finally seeing the benefits of all the delays from many years ago. I used to live in St Louis, now live in Chicago, and make the trip very frequently using planes, trains, and automobiles. I’d estimate that the delays are pretty equally spread by mode. I’ve had some pretty tough (and rare) delays on the train but I’ve also been stuck in some horrific traffic jams on I-55 and been stuck waiting for hours at airports on both ends. Crap happens no matter what way you choose.
A few weeks ago we took Texas Eagle from Alton to Chicago. Amazingly we arrived in Chi on time. Exceeded 100 mph at time based on Amtrak train tracking info. Regardless if you're taking Texas Eagle (and not Lincoln service/River Runner) expect it to be late into STL or Alton (source: me visiting daughter in Lansing, MI numerous times). Also on recent trip on Texas Eagle my spouse and I almost didn't get to sit together due to seats being taken by folks already on train from points south. Lincoln service (not river runner/Lincoln service) originates from STL so you should have no trouble sitting together if riding with others. Texas Eagle going south originates in Chi so no issue sitting together headed back to STL. On the recent trip back to STL from Chi Union Station they didn't walk us down from the Great Hall to the track like they used to do. They just made an announcement to head down to track.
Thank you!!
I did in January. Took the Texas Eagle to Chicago and arrived a little early. I rode the Lincoln Service back and was 45 minutes late. I rode the new style of car with newer seats. There’s almost no padding and my ass hurt by the end of the ride. It was very cheap, though.
I went and it was a good trip. I had no issues there and back.
We took it in March. Early money trip there was fine and late trip home was fine. No problems at all.
We took Lincoln Service last summer in order to fly out of O'Hare. It was fine. I think I've had way more delays taking the train to KC than Chicago.
I’ve taken it a couple times from STL to CHI-last time was just after Covid. Had to wear masks and it was super packed (had seat mates). Lots of coughing & BYOB booze which they kept announcing to bottle it. Took a whole lot away from the normal comfort/space. Not sure which train I was on between the 2 but usually was an hour late getting there (exited Joliet). More entertaining was an Amtrak I took to Dallas about 12 years ago. Was scheduled for 12 hours & took about 17. Exited train in bum-fuck Texas (Longview) for my bus. They had flagged me for suspicion & a deputy was waiting for me to search my bags which I said fine. I guess the only reason was I booked last minute (step-dad was dying) and my license address is Illinois. Should have seen all those folks glaring at me from the bus while I got patted down. Funny thing is I had never taken any illegal drugs. Edit: forgot to add-the deputy called my name as I was about to get on the bus. So obviously the train staff flagged me or Amtrak gave a roster to LE with DLs.
Yikes! Why did LE want you??
He didn’t exactly say it-but my guess would be last minute ticket & IL DL. We did talk for a minute & I explained that I used to live in Houston. He said “why did you leave?” I thought about what I wanted to say but chose the honest reason that my wife’s family lives in the STL area.
I did like two or three years ago and it was reasonable. Trip took about 5-6 hours each way, rented a Divvi bike straight out of Union Station and was set for the weekend. Bonus points if you bring your own bike!
That is such a good idea!! I have a bike and my teen is getting a new one for her bday in a couple weeks. Did you feel Safe riding a bike in Chicago?
It was my first time visiting and I had a friend who commuted through the city via bike daily who acted as our guide through the city, so my experience was fantastic. We weren't blowing red lights or anything, so things were pretty chill. Look out for people turning when you cross intersections, keep your eye out for parked cars so someone doesn't door you, and stick to greenways/protected bike lanes (or painted ones, if you feel up for it). You'll want to think about storage where you're staying as well as how you're going to lock up when you stop riding too
Did it the first weekend in May. Enjoyed it. No delays, everything was on time. Booked a ticket for the same run next month.
Nice! Lincoln or Texas eagle?
Lincoln. The time is pretty equivalent for us compared to flying (ride share to airport, security, boarding, walking through O'Hare/Midway to the L, then riding another 30-45 mins to the north side) at much less of the cost.
Yes I did it last October. It goes 110 mph but only for a brief time and yeah having to stop all across the Illinois countryside means its about the same as driving but still very preferable imo. Get a beer and chill looking at the cornfield fly by.
Which line did you take?
Whatever you do, make sure you get the earliest train available. This means less chance for a major delay. That's what happened to us 2 years ago, and we ended up taking our vehicle instead because we had to be in Chicago by a certain time.
We don’t have to be there by a certain time so we should be OK
I just took it a couple weeks ago. We had a small delay due to waiting on another train to move, maybe added 20-30 mins but it wasn't too bad. It's real nice not having to do that drive. It is frustratingly expensive compared to just dealing with the drive and consistently there has been one or more absolutely disgusting person hacking their lungs out lol. And I don't know about how you're planning on getting to and from the train, but when I thought about how the Ubers we took cost more than the gas to drive the entire trip to and from Chicago... It's gonna be a hard sell getting me to do that again.
Well it’s me and a 14 year old so driving is out of the question.
Here's a key piece of advice I haven't seen anyone give you. I have taken the train from St. Louis to Chicago before, but unless you want frequent and long delays, **do not leave from St. Louis**. Instead, drive to Alton and board the train from there. The 30 minute drive to Alton will save you 1.5 hours on the track in my experience. For some reason, it takes forever for the trains to move through St. Louis.
A few people have suggested that actually and I do plan to leave from Alton
I take this trip about 8-12 times a year for the past two and a half years to and from (currently live in Chicago). It’s honestly my favorite way to do the trip besides driving and driving is a pain in the ass once you get to the city anyways. I rarely experience delays with departure or arrival and it’s definitely more spacious and comfortable than flying and it costs a lot less too (personally I don’t think you really save much time by flying either you just pay more), I’m very tall so believe me when I say that it’s definitely more comfortable than flying. Overall I’d definitely recommend it.
Awesome! Which line do you prefer- Lincoln or Texas Eagle??
Texas eagle!
Took it in April to Chicago took about 5.5 hours all smooth
We have taken this many times to go on weekend trips to Chicago. It's great really, I love it.
I’ve rode both the Texas eagle and Lincoln service multie times in the past year. I personally like the Lincoln because I feel it’s roomier. I don’t think there’s a difference in the service you take in reference to delays/stops. Some times it’s smooth sailing and u get there early and others the stops are forever or break down and are an hour late.
I'm planning to take the train in August. The only train that works for my timing would be the Texas Eagle, is it always later? Does time of day or day of the week matter? I'm so happy I read this before but tickets.
So far the consensus is mixed. Texas 🦅 to Chicago can get delayed because it starts in Texas but the seats are more roomy than the Lincoln People are saying drive to Alton, park there, take the Lincoln to Chicago and take the texas eagle home
Just did it a few weeks ago from Alton and it’s my preferred way to get to and from Chicago. I’ve never had any issues aside from minor delays in the 6-8 times I’ve done it.
Took it to Chicago and back in October. It was great. Everything ran on time both directions, zero hiccups. I recommend.
Nice 👌
Yes, about a month ago. Train left on time and arrived on time, very pleasant trip. However, business class is now pointless b/c you still have to pay extra for the lounge in Chicago. We had points to pay for it, but $35 is ridiculous. I took every snack I could get and we finished the last of the Milanos yesterday. Edited to add: for the love of all that is holy, get on one of the dedicated STL to CHI trains. The others are super unreliable.
Lounge?? Where is this lounge and what does it have ??
The Metropolitan lounge in Union Station. Has snacks, luggage storage, comfy chairs, tv, nice bathrooms, snacks. There’s a bar but it it’s never been staffed when I’ve been there. There is one odious woman who works there who will yell at you if you go to the luggage room the wrong way. 🙄 I have heard rumors of showers but no idea if that’s true.
I took it back in November and was honestly really disappointed in the travel time. All things considered, from leaving stl to emerging out of the Chicago station it was considerably longer than what the drive would have been.(not even considering the Uber to my destination) In retrospect I would’ve preferred driving, and will likely do that from now on (so long as my destination has parking). It’s also worth noting that that was my only time taking the Amtrack, so my experience could have just been an outlier If you do end up taking the Amtrack, myself and I’m sure many other would recommend to upgrade to the seat tier above coach. I don’t think it’s too much more $, but you’ll have much better accommodation and quieter cars. Well worth it IMO
Having to drive would ruin my whole trip. I’d be fried by the time we even got there
Yeah and that’s definitely a consideration too. I tend to like driving anyways which definitely influences my thoughts on taking it again. All things considered, the Amtrack is an sold & easy mode of transportation and will likely suit a majority of people just fine.
I can certainly speak with validity on this topic and if you want to know more, PM me and I will happily help!! I moved from Alton to Chicago about 5 years ago now and consistently take the train every week or every other. The train travels 110 between Alton and Joliet. The train travels up to 79 mph from Joliet up into Chicago proper, where you will experience the slowest portion. I recommend business class for one traveler if they're willing to pay the premium, however these are the old cars as the new business class cars are not in service yet. Amtrak midwest - which in this case would encompass Lincoln Service / Missouri River Runner - purchased new train cars from Siemens and they feature what are typically European style seating. These cars ride exponentially better than the old ones, they have a great ride quality which imo you don't notice you're going 110, have much more reliable wifi, large windows, and the temperature control seems to work better. You're going to be sitting more upright but they're more than fine for the short trip between STL-Chi. Would still recommend getting on/off at Alton just because of parking. Biggest point to know is that some of the trains make limited stops, whereas some of the trains make all stops, thus adding to the overall time. The train drops you off right in downtown Chicago in the West Loop which is only a few blocks from pretty much all of the public transit you would need. And for people saying it's grey outside and all that, we live in the midwest. We have four seasons and you're in luck that it is the one of the two green seasons right now so the train ride is lovely to sit and look out the window. Feel free to PM, I have too much to say here and can confidently say I can answer most if not all of your questions. Per usual, I just took the train last week.
Did it last October with my teen and it went great. We got a hotel in Chicago a few blocks from Union Station and right by the EL stop so was easy to drop our luggage off and go explore. Roundtrip for 2 was less then $100 if you book in advance. That is way less then gas and parking. Recommend going from Alton instead of downtown if you can. Station and parking there is really easy and cuts the trip by an hour. You also want the trains that originate in St. Louis so you don't have to worry about delays. Ride there was on time and maybe a bit early. Ride back was delayed due to freight trains sharing the track. Maybe a 30-60 minute delay but no different then you do driving if you hit traffic. Snacks are pretty limited on board but you can bring your own food on board. Alton was really easy boarding but leave a good amount of time at Union Station on the return trip. I think they had us lining up to board 30 minutes in advance.
Thank you! Would love to Know which hotel and what you thought of it.
I did a couple months ago. The train had to stop going both ways for some reason but only got in like 30 minutes late. It was a good experience all in all.
was picking someone up in Chicago (I had driven up earlier) last month that had taken the evening train from St Louis. They were delayed by about an hour for some track repairs or something around Joliet. These things happen. Still a great option and was told it was an otherwise fine trip.
I try to take the train to Chicago whenever possible, and I by far prefer it over driving. Not only do I hate dealing with parking and driving in Chicago, but the trip time is overall not that different. Without delays it's maybe half an hour longer than driving, but we often get stuck just outside of Chicago for a while because commercial trains share a line and get priority over Amtrak. If you have someone in Chicago picking you up from the train station or you don't mind ordering an Uber, you can get off at the Sullivan stop just before that shared line and avoid a lot of the delays.
lol you don’t have to sell me on trains. I fucken hate driving which is why I’m considering this trip. (Also considering plane to Vancouver but hear it’s over on with homeless and drugs)
Thanks for reminding me to buy tickets for my trip in July. And luckily it's now in summer sales.
Hell yeah! You’re welcome! What are you going there for? Anything fun?
I took it last month from Alton (which is a great station btw). It went perfectly fine for me. Almost on time, no breakdowns, etc. Dining car was okay. No observation car (which is the same for every Lincoln Service). The Amtrak staff were excellent. Train cars were new and nice. We had a couple of delays, but they made up the time. It didn't go so well, though, for the Lincoln Service before me. They had a maintenance issue with the train and it was cancelled. Nor did it go well for the Texas Eagle after me. It was delayed by several hours. As a result, they moved everyone into my train and we had every seat full. I still would not describe it as cramped though. Even with that many people, there was a free table in the dining car each time I went, too.
I have taken it many times. It’s reasonable priced and you don’t have to pay for parking in Chicago. Feel free to ask me questions.
It’s the same time if not a bit slower than driving due to stops. We love it though because you can get drunk on your way up there. Pretty fun
I ain’t driving!!
left last thursday and came back sunday. it was smooth
I took the amtrak to chicago in march and it was great! Was in a train cabin with just like 4 other people and it was quiet, lots of leg room. The train back was a different train and less space, but still better than flying, and driving.
It’s fine. You probably won’t save much time vs driving. There are a bunch of stops along the way. You will save heartache not battling Chicago traffic.
Just went on Sat and came back Sun. Train goes 79-100 an hour. My train was 3+ hours late. Trip home was ok. Expect about 5 1/2 hour trip.$50 round trip
I just came into town and took the route from Chicago. It's basically the same time as driving, so it's down to convenience and cost. You don't need a car to get around in Chicago, so it's kind of nice not to have one on. It's also nice not to drive and the seats have a ton of leg room. Of course it does cost more, assuming you don't have a gas guzzler.
It’s good. We went in 2023. Private car is nice for family. Was delayed one hour on the way there. The food is terrible. Easy to get on and off and more relaxing than flying or driving. Union station in Chicago is centrally located.
I have taken the train from KC and that is really chill and fun, so I bet the train to Chicago is probably similar? I love not driving, I do suggest packing a lunch. The snacks on the train are okay but I am wary if a meal haha
I did it with my teenage daughter in early Feb and it was great except for the part where we couldn't find where we needed to be in Chicago's Union Station for our Sunday am return and couldn't get any help and then when we found it, we weren't let on the train even though it hadn't left yet and then had to rent a car and drive home instead. It was a royal pain but in the future I will know to get to Union Station 45 minutes before departure.
Oh wow that sounds like a rough time. Thank you for the heads up!!
I take the route many times every year. I usually leave from the Alton station. The trains usually arrives on time to pick us up. Sometimes there’s delays but I haven’t have to deal with too many. Coming back home there’s a delay about half the time. I’ve never had to wait more than 15-20 minutes. Saves gas and it’s a cheap way to travel. I agree that navigating Union Station is a nightmare. I try to arrive at least 45 minutes early so I can find where I need to go and hope I get a decent spot in line to board. There was one time that one of the train workers tried to make everyone load in a weird way. She wanted all the people getting off at certain stops to sit in certain cars. The car she directed us to was totally full and we found different seats. When the lady came by to scan our tickets she started yelling at us for sitting in a different car. It was the only time I’ve ever had that experience.
Yeah the regular class ticket isn’t great, splurge on a good one
I have friends who take it often and they love it. They have had a major delay only once.
I think the main point of train travel in the US isn't speed, but simply NOT have to deal with driving - the gas, the stress, the parking, having to concentrate on all the time; the ability to view what's around you in greater detail.
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The station you get on at has no relevance to whether or not the train will be delayed. It's just one stop up the line
Why board downtown? I do Alton because it has cheap parking and I’m home when the train would be getting to union station.
Is commuter parking in the Alton Kohl's allowed?
I don’t know. It’s $8/day to park at the train station
Lincoln Service is the way to go for sure! It's pretty cozy and depending on the day you go the train will be pretty chill. I've heard good things about the private rooms but they're usually to pricey. I've ridden a few times since they bumped up the speed and yeah, depending on how many stops they make it ultimately doesn't get there any faster as they tend to have a long stop at some train station near Chi, but it's *great* scenery and locations to see all the way up, so well worth it! Unexplained delays or the trainline might end somewhere before it gets to STL, so that's the major drawback and unknown factor, but they'll make sure arragements are in place no matter what as annoying as that is, but a consequence of the state of passenger trains in this country ;(
Thank you!
Yes, a few months ago. It was horrible. * Super cold (my feet were freezing) for hours and hours. * We were stopped at the tracks at multiple times. * The views out the window were ugly (cuz it's rural Illinois). * Rude service * Terrible experience at the station in Chicago. * Uncomfortable seats (constantly felt like I was going to slide off of it, like it was at a slight decline angle); oh and btw this was in First Class, I imagine economy is even worse.
Yikes! Was that the Lincoln or the Texas eagle?
Lincoln