The Lincoln Service is a 284-mile (457-kilometer) higher-speed train service provided by Amtrak between Chicago, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri. The train is part of the Illinois Service, which the Illinois Department of Transportation partly supports. The train travels along the same path as the long-distance Texas Eagle, which continues to San Antonio and Los Angeles. St. Louis has a link to the Missouri River Runner, which travels to Kansas City.
As of June 2023, the average travel time between Chicago and St. Louis was 4 hours and 59 minutes.
During fiscal year 2023, the Lincoln Service trains transported 523,304 passengers, a 9.9% increase over FY2022. This is a 16.7% decline from the pre-COVID-19 pandemic ridership of 627,599 passengers in FY2019. In FY2015, the service’s total income was $14,266,964, a 1.3% drop from FY2015.
Planning Your Trip
Booking Tickets:
Online Booking Process:
Amtrak offers a user-friendly website (https://www.amtrak.com/home) where you can book your Lincoln Service train tickets. The process is straightforward:
- Select your origin station (Chicago) and destination (St. Louis) from the provided menus.
- Choose your travel date and preferred departure time by browsing the available schedules.
- Select the number of passengers and choose your desired seating class (more on classes below).
- The system will display available fares and any applicable discounts (explained further down).
- Proceed to secure your reservation by following the on-screen prompts for payment and confirmation.
Ticketing Options (Classes, Discounts):
Amtrak offers different classes of service on the Lincoln Service trains to cater to your needs and budget. Here’s a breakdown:
- Coach Class: The most affordable option, offering comfortable seating with ample legroom.
- Business Class: Provides a more relaxing experience with wider seats, extra legroom, and access to complimentary beverages and snacks.
You might be eligible for discounts on your Lincoln Service tickets. Be sure to check the Amtrak website for available deals, which can include:
- Senior Discounts: Offered to passengers aged 65 and over.
- AAA Discounts: These are available to AAA members who present their membership card.
- Group Discounts: Applicable for groups of 10 or more passengers traveling together.
- Early Booking Discounts: Sometimes offered for reservations made well in advance.
Mobile App Benefits:
Download the Amtrak mobile app (https://www.amtrak.com/mobile) for a convenient way to manage your Lincoln Service trip:
- Book and manage your reservations on the go.
- Access and display your e-tickets for easy boarding.
- View real-time train schedules and track any potential delays.
- Receive mobile notifications about your trip status and gate assignments.
Schedule Highlights
- Every day, multiple trains travel along this route.
- It takes about two hours to travel from St. Louis to Springfield.
- The travel time between Chicago and Springfield is approximately 3.5 hours.
- The travel time between Chicago and St. Louis is approximately 5 hours.
Visit Amtrak.com to view the most recent schedules and timetables.
Choosing Your Station:
Station Amenities (Parking, Lounges, Accessibility) at Chicago and St. Louis Stations:
Both Chicago Union Station and St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center offer a variety of amenities to enhance your travel experience, including:
- Secure parking facilities (charges may apply).
- Comfortable waiting areas with seating and restrooms.
- Accessible elevators and ramps for passengers with disabilities.
- On-site shops and restaurants for grabbing a bite or browsing souvenirs.
- Business centers are available for those needing to work before or after their trip (availability may vary).
- Amtrak lounges (accessibility may differ by membership status) offer a more relaxing pre-boarding space.
Smaller Station Information (Limited Services):
The Lincoln Service train makes stops at several smaller stations between Chicago and St. Louis. Be aware that these stations may have limited amenities compared to the major hubs. Here’s what to expect:
- Limited parking availability (plan accordingly).
- Basic waiting areas with minimal facilities.
- Reduced accessibility options (check with Amtrak for specific stations).
- No shops, restaurants, or lounges on-site.
Popular Stops
- Chicago
- Springfield
- St. Louis
Stations
- Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI)
- Summit, IL (SMT)
- Joliet, IL – Gateway Center (JOL)
- Dwight, IL (DWT)
- Pontiac, IL (PON)
- Bloomington-Normal, IL – Uptown Station (BNL)
- Lincoln, IL (LCN)
- Springfield, IL (SPI)
- Carlinville, IL (CRV)
- Alton, IL (ALN)
- St. Louis, MO – Gateway Station (STL)
Most popular Amtrak Lincoln Service routes
The most popular route for Amtrak Lincoln Service is the train from St. Louis to Normal. Trips from Chicago to Joliet and St. Louis to Springfield are also extremely common.
TOP AMTRAK LINCOLN SERVICE ROUTES
| Route | Daily Trips | Duration | Price |
| St Louis to Normal | 3 | 2h 34m | $16 |
| Chicago to Joliet | 3 | 0h 52m | $7 |
| St Louis to Springfield | 3 | 1h 41m | $14 |
| Joliet to St Louis | 3 | 4h 3m | $26 |
| Alton to Chicago | 3 | 4h 16m | $24 |
| Chicago to Springfield | 3 | 3h 2m | $20 |
| Chicago to Normal | 3 | 2h 3m | $13 |
| Chicago to St Louis | 3 | 4h 56m | $27 |
| Normal to Joliet | 3 | 1h 19m | $8 |
Read Also: AMTRAK BLUE WATER TRAIN: STOPS, STATIONS, & THINGS TO KNOW
Onboard Experience
Seating options:
Coach Class Seat
All Amtrak trains, including Lincoln service, offer seating in coach class. Coach class seats are spacious, recline, and have plenty of legroom. There’s no middle seat, so you’ll have more personal space. Each set also has a tray, reading light and power outlet. Restrooms are conveniently located in each vehicle. If you’re an Amtrak Guest Rewards member, you’ll earn points for your coach class travel.
Business Class on Lincoln Service:
If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, consider business class. This premium class is available on many Amtrak corridor trains, offering features such as extra legroom, comfortable seats, and a free non-alcoholic drink. A selection of seats is often available in the Northeast, making boarding easier. Business Class passengers also earn bonus points on the Amtrak Guest Rewards program.
Amenities onboard:
Cafe Service
Amtrak Lincoln Service Train has a cafe service, with a selection of meals, snacks, and beverages for sale. Customers of all service levels are welcome to visit the Cafe, which is open from early morning to late night.
WiFi Onboard
This free WiFi connection allows for typical online browsing activities. Due to limited bandwidth onboard the trains, their WiFi does not handle high-bandwidth activities such as music streaming, video streaming, or large file downloads.
Tips for a Smooth Ride
- Pack light: Carry-on or backpack for easy storage.
- Dress comfy: Layers for temperature changes.
- Bring essentials: Water bottle, snacks, sanitizer, meds.
- Download entertainment: Movies, audiobooks, podcasts (with headphones!).
- Arrive early: Avoid last-minute stress.
- Stay safe & secure:
- Be aware of your surroundings & valuables.
- Know emergency exits & procedures.
- Secure luggage in overhead compartments.
- Report suspicious activity to Amtrak crew.
- Travel etiquette:
- Be respectful of noise levels (headphones!).
- Manage personal space (seats and belongings).
- Clean up after yourself (use trash bins).
- Be courteous to Amtrak staff.
Contact information for Amtrak
Amtrak website: https://www.amtrak.com/home
Amtrak phone number: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)
Resources for further information on Chicago and St. Louis tourism
Here are some resources for further information on Chicago and St. Louis tourism:
Chicago:
- Chicago Tourism Board: https://www.choosechicago.com/
- City of Chicago website: https://www.chicago.gov/
St. Louis:
- Explore St. Louis: https://explorestlouis.com/
- St. Louis Convention & Visitors Bureau: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/visit-play/index.cfm
FAQs For Amtrak Lincoln Service Train
Wi-Fi is available on most Amtrak Lincoln service trains. However, there is a possibility that some trains may not have Wi-Fi, especially in remote areas. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan, such as a book or downloaded movie. While you can use Wi-Fi for web browsing, emails and chatting, don’t rely on it to stream videos.
Most Amtrak Lincoln service trains have power outlets in each row of seats. These outlets can be used to charge laptops, phones and tablets. However, because Amtrak may sometimes use different train cars, it is not guaranteed that every train will have power outlets. For longer trips, it’s a good idea to bring a portable power bank to charge your devices.
On a normal day, Amtrak Lincoln Service operates 108 train journeys. However, the actual departure and arrival hours vary according to the day and route. To get the precise timetable for your journey, utilize the search function on this page.
You cannot buy tickets at the station for Amtrak Lincoln service. You must buy your tickets online in advance and make sure you have everything you need before arriving at the station.
You will need to show a valid government-issued ID to board an Amtrak Lincoln service train. Student ID will not be accepted. Make sure your identity matches the information on your ticket.
Yes, restrooms are available on Amtrak Lincoln service trains. These amenities are basic, with a toilet, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. Keep in mind that most toilets do not have running water. For safety, hold the rail when using the toilet while the rail is in motion.
Amtrak Lincoln Service offers dining options to enjoy during your trip. Be sure to bring both a credit card and cash, as you may need to pay for food or drinks.
You do not need to print your Amtrak Lincoln Service ticket. When you book your journey, you will receive an e-ticket via email. You can easily show this e-ticket to the conductor on your phone when you board the train.
Yes, Amtrak Lincoln Service goes the extra mile by offering premium amenities to its passengers. If you find yourself cramped in standard seats, you’ll appreciate the extra legroom available on Amtrak Lincoln Service trains. While the exact amount of extra legroom can vary between train lines, having more space is always a plus.