The Amtrak Lincoln Service provides four daily round trips between Chicago and St. Louis, covering approximately 284 miles in about 4¾ to 5 hours.
Throughout the journey, the trains connect various Illinois communities, including Joliet, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, and Alton. This guide provides an overview of the Lincoln Service schedule, Coach and Business Class options, food services, baggage policies, and other essential information to help you plan your trip.
Lincoln Service Quick Answer
Amtrak’s Lincoln Service offers four daily round trips between Chicago and St. Louis, making stops in Joliet, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, and Alton. Additionally, one daily round trip extends beyond St. Louis to Kansas City as the Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner. This allows passengers to travel from Chicago to Kansas City without changing trains.
Lincoln Service trains provide Coach and Business Class seating, a café car, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Most trips between Chicago and St. Louis take about five hours.
If you are traveling between Chicago and St. Louis, the Texas Eagle also operates on this route, offering an additional daily option.
Other Trains Serving the Lincoln Service Route
If a Lincoln Service train does not fit your schedule, you may have another Amtrak option depending on your destination.
- Texas Eagle – A daily long-distance train operates between Chicago and St. Louis, serving many of the same intermediate stations as it continues to Texas.
- Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner – One daily round trip of the Lincoln Service continues beyond St. Louis to Kansas City, allowing passengers to travel between Chicago and Kansas City without changing trains.
Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule
Check the timetables to determine whether the station is staffed or unstaffed. These schedules were last updated on August 17, 2026.
Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule: Northbound
The Texas Eagle operates daily as Train 22 and three times a week as Train 22/422. The same train operates on this route, so choose the lowest fare when booking.
Train 318 is the Missouri Runner/Lincoln Service.
| Communities Served | Staffed | Miles | 300 | 302 | 22/422 | 318* | 306 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO Gateway Station (STL) | Yes | 0 | 4:30a | 6:35a | 8:10a | 2:55p | 5:40p |
| Alton, IL (ALN) | Yes | 27 | 5:14a | 7:21a | 8:56a | 3:39p | 6:24p |
| Carlinville, IL (CRV) | No | 60 | – | 7:46a | 9:23a | 4:05p | – |
| Springfield, IL (SPI) | Yes | 99 | 6:11a | 8:22a | 10:03a | 4:46p | 7:24p |
| Lincoln, IL (LCN) | No | 128 | 6:36a | 8:44a | 10:29a | 5:08p | 7:46p |
| Bloomington-Normal, IL (BNL) | Yes | 160 | 7:06a | 9:16a | 11:38a | 5:35p | 8:17p |
| Pontiac, IL (PON) | No | 192 | 7:31a | 9:42a | 11:38a | 5:59p | 8:46p |
| Dwight, IL (DWT) | No | 210 | – | 9:58a | – | 6:12p | – |
| Joliet, IL Gateway Center (JOL) | Yes | 247 | 8:24a | 10:39a | 12:53p | 6:46p | 9:35p |
| Summit, IL (SMT) | No | 272 | 8:49a | 11:04a | – | 7:11p | 10:00p |
| Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) | Yes | 284 | 9:25a | 11:40a | 1:49p | 8:00p | 10:43p |
Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule: Southbound Services
The Texas Eagle operates daily as train 21 and three times a week as train 21/421. Select the lowest fare at checkout, as it applies to this segment of the route.
Train 319 is the Missouri Runner/Lincoln Service.
| Communities Served | Staffed | Miles | 301 | 319* | 21/421 | 305 | 307 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) | Yes | 0 | 7:15a | 9:50a | 2:10p | 5:20p | 7:10p |
| Summit, IL (SMT) | No | 12 | – | 10:13a | – | 5:42p | 7:32p |
| Joliet, IL Gateway Center (JOL) | Yes | 37 | 8:12a | 10:40a | 3:05p | 6:10p | 8:00p |
| Dwight, IL (DWT) | No | 74 | – | 11:09a | – | 6:42p | – |
| Pontiac, IL (PON) | No | 92 | – | 11:23a | 3:45p | 6:55p | 8:38p |
| Bloomington-Normal, IL (BNL) | Yes | 124 | 9:16a | 11:59a | 4:22p | 7:28p | 9:19p |
| Lincoln, IL (LCN) | No | 156 | – | 12:25p | 4:48p | 7:58p | 9:47p |
| Springfield, IL (SPI) | Yes | 185 | 10:13a | 12:56p | 5:26p | 8:28p | 10:19p |
| Carlinville, IL (CRV) | No | 224 | – | 1:33p | 5:55p | 9:09p | – |
| Alton, IL (ALN) | Yes | 257 | 11:14a | 1:59p | 6:30p | 9:38p | 11:22p |
| St. Louis, MO Gateway Station (STL) | Yes | 284 | 12:01p | 2:51p | 7:25p | 10:23p | 12:09a |
This page serves as a guide; please check with Amtrak or your e-ticket for exact times. If there are two times, the first is the arrival and the second is the departure; if there is only one, it is a quick stop.
Printable Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule
You can use the buttons below to print Amtrak Schedules or print them directly from Amtrak.com. Amtrak not only offers route schedules, but you can also download, print, and create custom schedules based on your Amtrak itinerary. Learn how to print Amtrak schedules!
Amtrak Lincoln Service: Seating Accommodations
This train provides two seating options.
Coach Class
Amtrak Lincoln Service provides coach seating.
- A foldable tray
- Individual reading lights.
- 120V outlets are standard, but some cars also include USB ports.
- If your bag is too heavy or won’t fit in the overhead compartment, you can store it under the seat in front of you. An in-car luggage rack is also available.
Business Class
Business class includes extra legroom and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Plus, you have lounge access at the Chicago Union Station for a fee and at St. Louis stations for free.
Additionally, Business Class customers receive a 25% bonus on Amtrak Guest Rewards points.
Luggage
The Lincoln Service does not offer checked baggage.
Carry-on
Each passenger may carry on:
- One personal item, up to 25 pounds (12 kg), and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
- Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
Charges apply to additional and oversized luggage; see Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.
Add-ons for Amtrak Lincoln Service
Amtrak allows you to bring these things with you for a fee.
Bikes
Bicycles are permitted on the Lincoln Service, but space is limited, and reservations are required. Please check Amtrak’s bicycle policy when booking for current fees, station restrictions, and instructions.
Golf clubs
If you’re hitting the links, you’re welcome to bring your golf clubs. Here are Amtrak’s golf club guidelines.
Pets and service animals
- Bring your cat or dog:
- Under 20 pounds with a carrier.
- Print and complete the required paperwork before packing the treats for the pet.
- Amtrak’s pet policy provides all the details and paperwork.
If you need to bring a service animal, visit Amtrak’s service animal page, which also outlines the distinction between service animals and comfort animals.
Ensure you bring your critter with you before you go to the station! Do not arrive at a station with a pet without first reading the rules and regulations for pets, service animals, or support animals.
How to Buy Amtrak Lincoln Service Tickets
You can purchase Amtrak tickets through the Amtrak website or Amtrak app, by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL, at staffed Amtrak stations, or from ticket kiosks where available. You can also check with local or online travel agents.
For many travelers, using the Amtrak website or app is the easiest option. The Amtrak app lets you store your eTicket, or you can print the PDF ticket Amtrak emails you. Conductors can also scan your eTicket directly from the email on your phone or another electronic device.
I recommend buying your ticket in advance, especially when traveling on weekends, during holidays, or at other busy times. Some trains, accommodations, and services can sell out quickly. It’s also a good idea to book early if you plan to travel with a bicycle or a pet, or if you want one of the limited premium accommodations on the train.
Food Aboard the Amtrak Lincoln Service
The Lincoln Service train features a café car offering a variety of meals, snacks, hot and cold beverages, and alcoholic options.
The café is open to all passengers for most of the journey, but may be closed at the start and end of the route. You’ll typically find the café car toward the end of the train, though its location may vary depending on the train’s direction.
While you can bring food and drinks on board, please refrain from taking them into the café car. Moreover, you’re not permitted to consume personal alcoholic beverages. You may bring them in your luggage, but they should remain in your bag.
Lincoln Service FAQs
How long is the Amtrak Lincoln Service trip from Chicago to St. Louis?
Lincoln Service trips between Chicago and St. Louis typically last about five hours. Travel times may vary slightly based on the train and the number of scheduled stops.
Does the Lincoln Service go to Kansas City?
One daily round trip on the Lincoln Service continues from St. Louis to Kansas City as the Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner. This allows passengers to travel between Chicago and Kansas City without changing trains in St. Louis.
Some Lincoln Service trains end their routes in St. Louis, so verify your train number and final destination before booking.
Does the Lincoln Service run every day?
Lincoln Service trains run daily between Chicago and St. Louis, offering four round trips each day with multiple departure times in both directions.
The Texas Eagle also operates between Chicago and St. Louis, then continues to Texas, providing another daily option.
Does the Lincoln Service have Wi-Fi?
Yes. Lincoln Service trains offer complimentary Amtrak Wi-Fi. Because the onboard connection relies on cellular service along the route, speeds and availability can vary.
Amtrak Wi-Fi is best suited for basic web browsing and email, rather than for streaming video, downloading large files, or performing other high-bandwidth activities.
Can I take the Lincoln Service from Chicago to Springfield?
Springfield is a key stop on the Chicago–St. Louis route, with Lincoln Service trains running in both directions. Additionally, you can take Lincoln Service for shorter trips between various intermediate stations in Illinois, so you don’t have to travel the entire route if you don’t want to.
Final Thoughts on Amtrak’s Lincoln Service
Amtrak’s Lincoln Service offers several daily departures between Chicago, Springfield, and St. Louis, serving various communities throughout Illinois. With multiple departure times, passengers can choose between Coach and Business Class seating, enjoy café service, and access Wi-Fi. This service is ideal for everything from a short trip within Illinois to a complete journey from Chicago to St. Louis.
One daily round trip also continues to Kansas City as the Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner, while the Texas Eagle offers another option between Chicago and St. Louis.
Prior to your trip, verify your reservation or check Amtrak for the most up-to-date departure time, as schedules may change.
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