There are 5 ways to get from Chicago to Charleston by train (Amtrak), bus, car, plane, or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Mattoon Amtrak Stationtrain Saluki / ...
3h 33m$86–153Drive 183.7 mi
cheapest- Drive from Chicago to Charlestoncar 183.7 mi
3h 20m$34–49Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago to Phillips Gas Station - Arcolabus Chicago / ...
4h 54m$102–218Fly to University Of Illinois Willard Airport, taxi
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to University Of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI)plane ORD - CMI
- Take the taxi from University Of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) to Charlestontaxi
3h 52m$148–405Fly to Decatur Airport, taxi
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Decatur Airport (DEC)plane ORD - DEC
- Take the taxi from Decatur Airport (DEC) to Charlestontaxi
4h 10m$168–435
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to University Of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Charleston is to drive which costs $30 - $50 and takes 3h 20m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Charleston is to drive which takes 3h 20m and costs $30 - $50.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago to Charleston station. However, there are services departing from State & Harrison/Ida B Wells Drive and arriving at Phillips Gas Station - Arcola via 35th/Archer Orange Line Station and Chicago. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 54m.
No, there is no direct train from Chicago station to Charleston station. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at Mattoon Amtrak Station via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 33m.
The distance between Chicago and Charleston is 185 miles. The road distance is 184.8 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Charleston without a car is to train which takes 3h 33m and costs $85 - $160.
It takes approximately 3h 33m to get from Chicago to Charleston, including transfers.
Chicago to Charleston bus services, operated by Tornado Bus Company, depart from Chicago station.
Chicago to Charleston train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Charleston is to train which takes 3h 33m and costs $85 - $160. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $100 - $220 and takes 4h 54m.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Charleston, IL, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to Mattoon Amtrak Station 3 times a day. Tickets cost $55–120 and the journey takes 3h 17m. Alternatively, Tornado Bus Company operates a bus from Chicago to Phillips Gas Station - Arcola once daily. Tickets cost $50–150 and the journey takes 2h 45m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to University Of Illinois Willard Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 9m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–260
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Decatur Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–270
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to University Of Illinois Willard Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–260
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Mattoon Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 17m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $55–120
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 888 358 6762
- [email protected]
- Website
- tornadobus.com
Bus from Chicago to Phillips Gas Station - Arcola
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $50–150
- Schedules at
- tornadobus.com
- Adults 11-59
- $50–150
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 9m
- Estimated price
- $110–160
Yellow Checker Cab
- Phone
- +1 217-355-3553
- Website
- yellowcheckercabchampaign.com
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Chicago to Charleston bus services, operated by Tornado Bus Company, arrive at Phillips Gas Station - Arcola.
Chicago to Charleston train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Mattoon Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Charleston is 185 miles. It takes approximately 3h 20m to drive from Chicago to Charleston.
Book your Chicago to Charleston train tickets online with Omio.
There are 16+ hotels available in Charleston.