The Amtrak Borealis is in no way quicker than flying direct between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. The Borealis essentially takes an entire day, whereas flying takes about 90 minutes (plus the time it takes to get to and from airports, etc). With that said, I feel like Amtrak is a much more enjoyable and relaxing experience than flying.

Because there is much more legroom on the train than on a plane, a seven-hour journey on Amtrak is significantly less tiring than a seven-hour flight. You can easily get up and stretch whenever you need to without potentially inconveniencing or waking up someone else. There is cell service throughout this route. The Amtrak coach seats are similar to business or first class seats on a plane (although they don’t lay flat, and the Borealis doesn’t offer sleeping cars or private rooms).

I’ve personally come to dislike flying more and more with each passing year. So often, it’s a really uncomfortable and unpleasant experience for me. So maybe I’m biased, but I personally love that Amtrak offers this alternative between Chicago and MSP. In terms of cost, my round-trip was $103. Just like airlines, Amtrak pricing depends on time and day, so check both options if you’re looking for the best deal possible.