There are 7 ways to get from Chicago to Salem by train (Amtrak), bus, car, plane, train, 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 Centralia Amtraktrain Saluki / ...
4h 52m$116–211Drive 254.9 mi
cheapest- Drive from Chicago to Salemcar 254.9 mi
4h 14m$47–68Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago to El Rancherito - Mount Vernonbus Chicago / ...
6h 28m$112–238Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Williamson County Regional Airport, train
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Williamson County Regional Airport (MWA)plane ORD - MWA
- Take the train from Carbondale to Centralia Amtraktrain
5h 43m$164–350Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, bus, taxi
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL)plane ORD - STL
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Mount Vernonbus
- Take the taxi from Mount Vernon to Salemtaxi
6h 28m$342–800Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, bus
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL)plane MDW - STL
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Mount Vernonbus
6h 13m$146–650Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to University Of Illinois Willard Airport, train
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to University Of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI)plane ORD - CMI
- Take the train from Champaign-Urbana to Centralia Amtraktrain
6h 19m$126–418
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Williamson County Regional Airport (MWA) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Salem is to drive which costs $45 - $70 and takes 4h 14m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Salem is to drive which takes 4h 14m and costs $45 - $70.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago to Salem. However, there are services departing from State & Harrison/Ida B Wells Drive and arriving at El Rancherito - Mount Vernon via 35th/Archer Orange Line Station and Chicago. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 28m.
No, there is no direct train from Chicago station to Salem. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at Centralia Amtrak via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 52m.
The distance between Chicago and Salem is 271 miles. The road distance is 256.4 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Salem without a car is to train which takes 4h 52m and costs $110 - $220.
It takes approximately 4h 52m to get from Chicago to Salem, including transfers.
Chicago to Salem bus services, operated by Tornado Bus Company, depart from Chicago station.
Chicago to Salem train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Salem is to train which takes 4h 52m and costs $110 - $220. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $110 - $240 and takes 6h 28m.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Salem, Marion County, IL, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to Centralia Amtrak 3 times a day. Tickets cost $80–170 and the journey takes 4h 28m. Alternatively, Tornado Bus Company operates a bus from Chicago to El Rancherito - Mount Vernon once daily. Tickets cost $60–170 and the journey takes 4h 25m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–550
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–410
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to University Of Illinois Willard Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 9m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–260
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Williamson County Regional Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–290
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–410
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to University Of Illinois Willard Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–260
- Website
- contouraviation.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Williamson County Regional Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $80–220
- Website
- gojetairlines.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–410
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Centralia Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 28m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $80–170
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Carbondale to Centralia Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 53 min
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $17–40
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Champaign-Urbana to Centralia Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 54m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $35–85
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 888 358 6762
- [email protected]
- Website
- Tornado Bus Company
Bus from Chicago to El Rancherito - Mount Vernon
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $60–170
- Schedules at
- Tornado Bus Company
- Adults 11-59
- $60–170
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Mount Vernon
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $11–22
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Mount Vernon
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $11–22
- Website
- Greyhound
- Ave. Duration
- 25 min
- Estimated price
- $55–70
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Chicago to Salem bus services, operated by Tornado Bus Company, arrive at El Rancherito - Mount Vernon station.
Chicago to Salem train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Centralia Amtrak station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Salem is 256 miles. It takes approximately 4h 14m to drive from Chicago to Salem.
There are six+ hotels available in Salem.







