There are 5 ways to get from Columbus to Chicago by train (Amtrak), train, bus, car, taxi, or plane
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 Columbus Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain Empire Builder / ...
2h 58m$35–90Drive 141.8 mi
cheapest- Drive from Columbus to Chicagocar 141.8 mi
3h 18m$26–38Train, bus
- Take the train from Columbus Amtrak Station to Milwaukeetrain Empire Builder / ...
- Take the bus from Milwaukee Intermodal Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0150
3h 45m$29–59Taxi to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field, fly
- Take the taxi from Columbus to Madison-Airport-MSNtaxi
- Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane MSN - ORD
2h 22m$118–425Train to General Mitchell International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Columbus Amtrak Station to Milwaukeetrain
- Fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane MKE - ORD
4h 35m$620–1,006
Columbus to Chicago by train (Amtrak)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Columbus to Chicago is to drive which costs $25 - $40 and takes 3h 18m.
The fastest way to get from Columbus to Chicago is to taxi and fly which takes 2h 22m and costs $110 - $430.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Columbus Amtrak Station station and arriving at Chicago Union Station station. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 58m.
The distance between Columbus and Chicago is 150 miles. The road distance is 142.6 miles.
The best way to get from Columbus to Chicago without a car is to train which takes 2h 58m and costs $35 - $90.
The train from Columbus Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station takes 2h 58m including transfers and departs three times a day.
Columbus to Chicago train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Columbus Amtrak Station.
Columbus to Chicago train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Columbus to Chicago is 143 miles. It takes approximately 3h 18m to drive from Columbus to Chicago.
Book your Columbus to Chicago train tickets online with Omio.
What companies run services between Columbus, WI, USA and Chicago, IL, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Columbus Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station 3 times a day. Tickets cost $35–90 and the journey takes 2h 58m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 14m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–330
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–290
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Columbus Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 58m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $35–90
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Columbus Amtrak Station to Milwaukee
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $15–40
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Columbus Amtrak Station to Milwaukee
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $15–40
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Milwaukee Intermodal Station to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $13–22
- Website
- Greyhound
- Ave. Duration
- 29 min
- Estimated price
- $75–95
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
Booking & Getting There
There are 1301+ hotels available in Chicago.






