Saluki & Illini — Schedules, Fares & Stops

The Saluki & Illini connects Chicago, IL and Carbondale, IL over a 309-mile route operated by Amtrak (IDOT), calling at 10 stations across 1 state.

Quick Facts

Operator: Amtrak (IDOT)
Service type: State-Supported Corridor
Endpoints: Chicago ↔ Carbondale
Distance: 309 mi
Frequency: Two daily round trips
Stations: 10
States served: 1 (IL)
Typical fare range: $31 – $55

Route guide

The Saluki & Illini is a state-supported corridor service operated by Amtrak (IDOT). Trains run Two daily round trips over 309 miles of mainline track between Chicago Union Station and Carbondale, calling at 10 intermediate and terminal stations across 1 state. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.

What to watch for: Champaign-Urbana farmland; the Shawnee National Forest foothills near Carbondale.

History & service notes

The Saluki and Illini share a route with the City of New Orleans through southern Illinois, doubling daytime service to Carbondale. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.

Equipment

Typical consist on the Saluki & Illini includes horizon and Amfleet coaches, Charger SC-44. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.

Stops along the route

Stations are listed in geographical order from Chicago to Carbondale. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.

Chicago Union Station — Chicago, IL CHI
Homewood — Homewood, IL HMW
Kankakee — Kankakee, IL KKI
Gilman — Gilman, IL GLM
Rantoul — Rantoul, IL RAN
Champaign–Urbana — Champaign, IL CHM
Mattoon — Mattoon, IL MAT
Effingham — Effingham, IL EFG
Centralia, IL — Centralia, IL CNI
Carbondale — Carbondale, IL CDL

Sample fares & travel times

Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.

From	To	Distance	Time	Fare
Chicago	Homewood	34 mi	51m	$14 – $26
Homewood	Kankakee	34 mi	51m	$14 – $26
Kankakee	Gilman	34 mi	51m	$14 – $26
Gilman	Rantoul	34 mi	51m	$14 – $26
Rantoul	Champaign	34 mi	51m	$14 – $26
Champaign	Mattoon	34 mi	51m	$14 – $26
Mattoon	Effingham	34 mi	51m	$14 – $26
Effingham	Centralia	34 mi	51m	$14 – $26
Centralia	Carbondale	34 mi	51m	$14 – $26
Homewood	Carbondale	275 mi	5h 40m	$29 – $51
Chicago	Kankakee	69 mi	1h 33m	$17 – $29
Kankakee	Carbondale	240 mi	4h 58m	$27 – $48
Chicago	Gilman	103 mi	2h 14m	$19 – $33
Gilman	Carbondale	206 mi	4h 17m	$25 – $44
Chicago	Rantoul	137 mi	2h 54m	$21 – $37
Rantoul	Carbondale	172 mi	3h 36m	$23 – $40
Chicago	Champaign	172 mi	3h 36m	$23 – $40
Champaign	Carbondale	137 mi	2h 54m	$21 – $37

Connections & transfers

Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Chicago, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Carbondale. The corridor passes through cities including Chicago, Homewood, and Carbondale, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.

Trip planning tip. The Saluki & Illini's lowest fares typically appear when booked 14 days or more in advance, and on midweek departures. Same-day "walk-up" fares are usually closer to the upper end of the range shown. Saver and Value buckets sell out first.