Chicago to Indianapolis by train
Indianapolis lies 263 km (164 mi) south-east of Chicago, +1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 3 h 34 min at the speeds typical of United States rail, over roughly 321 km (200 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
Open Indianapolis in Google Maps
| Chicago | Indianapolis | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Population | 2.7 million | 887,642 |
| Elevation | 180 m (591 ft) | 248 m (814 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) | UTC-4 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) |
| Stations on record | LaSalle Street Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center, Millennium Station | Union Station |
| Postal codes | 60601–60701 | 46201–46298 |
Clocks in Indianapolis are 1 h ahead of Chicago right now, so a 3 h 34 min journey lands 4 h 34 min later by the destination clock.
Where to book trains from Chicago to Indianapolis
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Staying in Indianapolis
Our booking partner lists 637 places to stay in Indianapolis. Of the 503 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (207), and 1 are five-star. Across 143 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 7.9 out of 10. Guests have left 72,532 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Indianapolis
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 Indianapolis from Chicago?
263 km (164 mi) in a straight line, south-east of Chicago; by road roughly 321 km (200 mi).
How long does it take to get from Chicago to Indianapolis by train?
About 3 h 34 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Chicago and Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is 1 h ahead at the moment (America/Indiana/Indianapolis against America/Chicago).
Where can I stay in Indianapolis?
Our booking partner lists 637 places to stay in Indianapolis, bookable on this site.
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 13 September 2026. Hotel 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.