How to Book Train Travel from Carbondale, IL to Quincy, IL

The route from Carbondale to Quincy is served by three different trains and a bus. Passengers making this journey can choose to ride by bus from Carbondale to St. Louis, then take one train from St. Louis to Chicago and another train from Chicago to Quincy, or may take one train from Carbondale to Chicago and another train from Chicago to Quincy. The trip takes 10 to 12 hours, whichever option you choose.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer with internet access.

1. Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak's web site in the "Resources" section below. On the web site, you can book your train reservations via Amtrak's Fare Finder. You can also navigate the site if you have a PDA, Blackberry or other handheld device.

2. If you ordered your tickets online or by phone, pick them up at a ticket agent or at one of the Quik-Trak kiosks that can be found at many Amtrak locations (you'll need to enter your reservation number). If you've booked your trip far in advance, you can also request that your tickets be mailed to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Reservations are required on all portions of this trip, so make sure you have your tickets when you board the train.
• The route from Carbondale to Quincy does some backtracking, going from Carbondale to St. Louis, then back up to Chicago before finally arriving at Quincy. Those on a tight schedule may want to consider driving, as this will cut close to eight hours off of your travel time. If you want a scenic, relaxing ride, though, taking the train is perfect for you.