Quick game plan:
- Why I picked the train
- Booking and price
- Boarding at Chicago Union Station
- On-board life: seats, outlets, food
- The actual ride: views, timing, small wins
- Rolling into Indy late at night
- The rough bits
- Who this works for
- Simple tips I wish someone told me
Why I picked the train
I could’ve driven. It’s faster. But I had work emails to clear, and I didn’t want to babysit the wheel for three hours. I also get car sick on I-65 when it rains. So I bought an Amtrak ticket from Chicago to Indianapolis on the Cardinal. You know what? I wanted a quiet evening and a big seat. That was the whole truth. For readers who want a minute-by-minute diary of the trip, I put together this expanded play-by-play.
If the rail-fan in you wants a quick dive into the storied machinery behind routes like the Cardinal, ALCO’s website gives a neat snapshot without derailing your planning.
Booking and price
I booked coach a week ahead. It was $39 one way. I’ve seen it swing between about $25 and $60, depending on the day. Seats aren’t assigned. The conductor gives you a little paper slip that marks your spot. Old-school, but it works.
Note: this train doesn’t run every day. It runs a few days a week. I picked a Friday.
Boarding at Chicago Union Station
Chicago Union Station feels grand and busy at the same time. The Great Hall is pretty, but the real action is downstairs. I got there 45 minutes early. That was enough. The gate opened about 20 minutes before departure. Staff lined us up by car, and families went first.
I had a backpack and a small roller. Overhead racks swallowed both just fine. There was checked baggage, but I kept my stuff with me.
On-board life: seats, outlets, food
Coach seats are wide. They recline well, and there’s a leg rest that flips up. I’m 5’7”, and I still had knee room. Tray table was clean. Curtains slid smooth. We had power outlets at the window seats and sometimes at the aisle too.
Wi-Fi? Nope on my train. I used my phone’s hotspot until service faded near cornfields. Download your shows. Trust me. If you’re after something more interactive than Netflix while the bars stay green, you could browse this rundown of the top 5 live cam sites to see which platforms actually work smoothly on mobile; it breaks down the pros, cons, and price points so you don’t burn precious data on duds. Or, if you’re the sort who scrolls personal ads just to see how other cities vibe, take a two-minute detour through Salisbury’s Doublelist board: Doublelist Salisbury — the page loads quickly and offers a snapshot of current meet-ups plus solid safety pointers, giving you a lightweight distraction that still works when the Wi-Fi is spotty.
The café car opened after we left. I grabbed coffee and a bag of chips. Later I tried a hot sandwich that got microwaved. It wasn’t fancy, but it hit the spot. The café took cards. They closed before midnight, so I timed a second coffee around 9 pm.
Bathrooms started fresh. After a few hours, they were… less fresh. Bring wipes. Not a big deal, just real life.
The actual ride: quiet views and small wins
We pulled out of Chicago around dinner. Sun slid down over the yards. I watched freight cars stack up like Lego. Then it was suburbs, then fields. Slow and steady feels different when you’re not the driver. My shoulders unclenched.
We got held near Dyer for a freight train to pass. About 20 minutes. I didn’t mind. I answered two emails I’d been dodging all week. Funny how train time makes chores shrink.
We glided through Rensselaer and Lafayette. Little stations, soft lights, people waving. I saw a long stretch of wind turbines turning like lazy metronomes. That view sticks.
We rolled into Indy just before midnight. Our delay was about 25 minutes. Not bad for shared tracks.
Rolling into Indy late at night
Indianapolis Union Station is calm at that hour. The waiting room is small, and the lights feel kind. I called a rideshare, and it came fast. Street outside was quiet but not spooky. I kept my bag close and walked with purpose. You know the drill. If you need a crash pad nearby, you can skim my verdict on four boutique hotels in Indianapolis before you book.
If you’re meeting someone, tell them you’ll text from the last stop before Indy. Signal can dip.
The rough bits
- The schedule. It’s not daily, and times can be late-night. Kids might crash hard on the way.
- Wi-Fi wasn’t there. Hotspot worked on and off.
- Freight delays can happen. It’s their tracks. We’re the guests.
- The café runs out of some items. Eat early if you’re picky.
The good stuff
- Seats are big. Way bigger than a bus or most planes.
- The ride is gentle. I typed, read, and stared at corn like it was art.
- Power outlets saved my laptop.
- Staff was kind. My conductor joked about my “snack strategy.” He wasn’t wrong.
- Price felt fair. Cheaper than gas plus parking for me.
Who this works for
- Students and solo workers with laptops.
- People who hate night driving or white-knuckle rain.
- Folks who like the journey to feel like… a pause.
- Light sleepers? Maybe book a roomette if you want a door and quiet, but I managed fine in coach with headphones.
Tips I wish someone told me
- Book early for the cheaper fare.
- Bring snacks you actually like. The café is okay, not special.
- Download music and shows. Signal dips.
- Layer up. It runs cool.
- A small pillow is gold. A hoodie works too.
- If timing matters, don’t plan a tight pickup. Give yourself a 30–45 minute cushion.
- Morning westbound trips into Chicago tend to feel calmer. My friends say they’re often on time.
- Killing an hour downtown? My honest walk-through of Georgia Street maps out food stops within five minutes of the station.
The short verdict
Is the Chicago to Indianapolis train the fastest way? No. Did it give me a calm evening with a seat that didn’t pinch, a power outlet, and a slow sunset over fields? Yes. For me, that trade made sense.
I got work done, ate a warm sandwich, and watched the sky go lavender. Honestly, I’ll ride it again. Not every time. But on nights when I need less noise and more room to breathe—this train fits.