Chicago to Columbia by train
Columbia lies 511 km (317 mi) south-west of Chicago, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 6 h 55 min at the speeds typical of United States rail, over roughly 623 km (387 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
| Chicago | Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Population | 2.7 million | 129,330 |
| Elevation | 180 m (591 ft) | 219 m (719 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) |
| Stations on record | LaSalle Street Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center, Millennium Station | Wabash Railroad Station and Freight House |
| Postal codes | 60601–60701 | 65201–65218 |
Where to book trains from Chicago to Columbia
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Columbia
Live rooms and prices for Columbia are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Columbia
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Columbia from Chicago?
511 km (317 mi) in a straight line, south-west of Chicago; by road roughly 623 km (387 mi).
How long does it take to get from Chicago to Columbia by train?
About 6 h 55 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Chicago and Columbia?
No, both are on America/Chicago at the moment.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.