Amtrak Saluki And Illini Schedules
Amtrak Saluki And Illini Schedules

The Amtrak Saluki and Illini: The Solar Eclipse Train

Amtrak’s Saluki and Illini run daily between Chicago, IL, and Carbondale, IL, with nine intermediate stops, offering two daily round trips. The 309-mile trip takes 5.5 hours from start to finish.

Illini and Saluki Trains 391 and 392 Schedule Changes for Solar Eclipse

Effective April 8, 2024, Illini and Saluki trains will operate modified schedules to help customers reach the Area of Totality in time to witness the 2024 solar eclipse. Schedule times listed on Amtrak.com are updated to reflect these changes.

Saluki Train 391 will depart Chicago at 6:35 am and operate on an adjusted schedule through Carbondale, arriving at 12:05 pm.
Illini Train 392 will depart Carbondale at 6:40 pm and operate on an adjusted schedule through Chicago, arriving at 12:10 am.

These schedule changes could affect passengers commuting on other services. For current schedules, please see Metra.com or use the Ventra app.

Take Amtrak to Eclipse Day at Saluki Stadium

12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Saluki Stadium ~ SIU Carbondale, IL

Experience a unique solar eclipse event!

Join SIU Carbondale, Adler Planetarium, NASA EDGE, and more for a guided and fun-filled total solar eclipse experience. Doors open at 11 am. Tickets are $25 for this event.

Get more info on Eclipse Day at Saluki Stadium.

Solar train schedule

Here are PDFs you can print out or download.

A quick look at the Amtrak Saluki and Illini

Let’s take a quick look at what this train has to offer.

Chicago Union Station Train Sign
Chicago Union Station Train Sign

The Amtrak Saluki and Illini on-time performance and host railroad

Amtrak operates its trains on tracks owned by passenger and freight railroads, known as host railroads, which can sometimes cause delays to Amtrak trains.

  • The average on-time performance for all stations on this route:
    • From February 2023 to 2024, the average on-time performance is 80.1%, with a delay time of 62 minutes.
    • February 2024 saw an average on-time performance of 85.2% and a deadly time of 54 minutes.
  • The host railroad, of 15 miles or more, is CN-IC, and the leading two causes of delays were:
    • Freight train interference and slow order delays.

Amtrak Saluki and Illini accommodations

Recently, due to CN’s restriction on train length and weight required to activate their grade crossing signals, Amtrak has been using Superliner cars. Some of those cars are not in service for passengers but are there for axle count. This configuration could change at any time.

Amtrak Coach

Coach class

Here is what Amtrak Coach seating on this train offers:

  • Comfortable seats,
  • Aa fold-down tray
  • Leg and footrest
  • Individual reading lights
  • 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets are on the wall.
  • Restrooms are on the lower level of the train.
  • There are overhead luggage racks and a shelf on the lower level of the car.

Business class

  • Everything coach class gives you.
  • Extra legroom
  • Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

Additionally, Business Class customers receive a 25% bonus on Amtrak Guest Rewards points, and if you are leaving from Chicago, business class passengers can use the lounge for a fee.

Wi-Fi & entertainment on Saluki And Illini

Wi-Fi is free and available on this train, but streaming may not be. Amtrak does not entertain like other transportation, but here are some ideas for entertainment on Amtrak.

Food on the Saluki And Illini

There is a cafe on this train plus you can bring food.

Cafe car

Lunch
Amtrak cafe attendants use cardboard trays to make transporting your food more accessible.

Don’t forget to stop by one of my favorite places, the Cafe Car!

What you can find in the cafe:

  • Hot and cold meals
    • Including breakfast options.
  • Snacks
  • Coffee, tea, and cold beverages
    • Including adult beverages.

The cafe car may not open immediately leaving the first station and may close before the last. Conductors and the cafe car attendant will let you know when it is open and its location.

You can bring food and beverages on the train.

You may bring food and drink aboard the train.

Amtrak allows you to bring alcohol on the train, but if you do, leave it in your bags! You can’t consume the alcohol you brought on board. If you get caught drinking your own or get out of hand, the train’s next stop will be yours.

Amtrak Saluki and Illini add-ons

You can add a few add-ons to your reservations to bring those extras.

Bikes

Amtrak allows bikes on the train, but spots can be limited. Check the Amtrak bike policy for the most up-to-date information and booking instructions.

Pets

Amtrak allows dogs and cats up to 20 pounds (combined weight of pet and carrier) for trips up to seven hours. You must print and complete paperwork before bringing your pet to the train. To find the paperwork and to get more information, check out Amtrak’s pet policy.

If you plan on bringing a service or comfort animal, read Amtrak’s service animal policy for instructions and restrictions. Don’t arrive at the stations without being prepared and researching the topic.

Luggage on the Saluki And Illini

This train does not offer a checked bag service.

Each passenger may carry on:

  • One personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches, and 
  • Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
  • If you transfer to the Pacific Surfliner at some point along your journey, the baggage size for that train is up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each. 

Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage; check out Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.

Amtrak Saluki and Illini schedules

This guide uses available information from Amtrak.com; things could change since this article was published. Check with Amtrak or your ticket to ensure times do not vary.

The departure times are below; the train may arrive a minute or two earlier than the stated time.

390
Saluki
Northbound
392
Illini
Northbound
Communities Served391
Saluki
Southbound
393
Illini
Southbound
Read DownRead DownDaily TrainsFinal StopFinal StopMiles
7:30a4:15pCarbondale, IL (CDL)1:45p9:35p0
7:51a4:36pDu Quoin, IL (DQN)1:17p9:07p20
8:23a5:08pCentralia, IL (CEN)12:44p8:34p56
9:09a5:54pEffingham, IL (EFG)11:57a7:47p109
9:33a6:19pMattoon, IL (MAT)11:33a7:23p136
10:24a7:08pChampaign-Urbana, IL
(CHM)
10:49a6:36p180
10:38a7:24pRantoul, IL (RTL)10:20a 6:08p194
11:05a7:51pGilman, IL (GLM)9:52a5:40p227
11:31a8:14pKankakee, IL (KKI)9:27a5:15p252
12:10p8:55pHomewood, IL (HMW)8:56a4:46p285
1:00p9:45pChicago, IL
Union Station (CHI)
8:15a4:05p309
Final StopFinal StopStopsRead UpRead UpMiles

Printable Amtrak Saluki and Illini schedules

You can print off either schedule below, which includes Amtrak connection services. You can print routes or custom ones from Amtrak.com to ensure you have the most up-to-date schedules. Learn how to print Amtrak schedules here.

Safe Travels,

Kev

The information for these guides comes from Amtrak, and Amtrak can change times anytime.

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Kevin Monteith

Kev Monteith has been traveling on Amtrak since 2012. With over a decade of experience, he has been on over 800 trains, covering over 200k miles of rail. Kev enjoys helping others achieve their travel dreams by providing support and information. Outside of travel, Kev enjoys making music as an organist and outings with family.

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