Find train tickets to Washington, D.C.
Good to know
Cheapest day | Friday |
|---|---|
Most expensive day | Sunday |
Average price (round-trip) | $39 |
Average price (one-way) | $15 |
Top tips for finding Washington, D.C. train tickets
- With the exception of the Capitol Limited trains (Chicago to Washington, DC), most trains to Washington, DC offer free Wi-Fi that can be used to surf the internet. The bandwidth will not support streaming music or movies or downloading large files, so passengers should download any files or entertainment before their trip to be enjoyed off-line while on board the train.
- Many trains to Washington, DC are equipped with sleeper cars, including the Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Crescent, Northeastern Regional, and Silver Service/Palmetto routes. Sleeper cars offer four types of rooms, from the Roomette for two adults to the Family Room for two adults and two children. Sleeper car train tickets to Washington, DC include an attendant for your car, rooms with comfortable seating that converts to an upper and lower bed, access to a private shower and restroom, and complimentary meal services.
- Acela and Northeast Regional trains to Washington, DC feature a quiet car where the lighting is dimmed (individual reading lights are provided), talking is kept to quiet tones, devices must be muted or used with headphones, and phone calls are not allowed. On the Northeast Regional trains, quiet seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while quiet seats on the Acela trains can be reserved in advance.
- Washington, DC’s Union Station (WAS) is a major transportation hub, and it is easy to reach most parts of the region using public transportation. Other train services that stop at the station include the Metro’s Red Line; the Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) trains that serve Washington, DC, Maryland, and West Virginia; and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter trains that serve Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. About ten lines of the Metrobus system make regular stops at the station, as do Greyhound buses and other private bus lines.
- Looking for cheap train tickets to Washington, D.C.? 25% of our users found round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C. for the following prices or less: From Baltimore $21, from Philadelphia $44, from New York $46
- Washington, D.C.'s most searched train station on KAYAK is Washington, D.C. Union. It is located 2 miles from the city center.
- You will generally catch the best train deals if you travel to Washington, D.C. in the evening.
FAQs when traveling to Washington, D.C. by train
What is the most popular train station in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. Union is the most searched station in Washington, D.C. by KAYAK users.
Which train companies travel to Washington, D.C.?
Amtrak and Acela are popular train companies operating in Washington, D.C..
How long is the train journey to Washington, D.C. from the closest popular cities?
Newark to Washington, D.C. - 2h 55m
Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. - 1h 55m
Baltimore to Washington, D.C. - 0h 29m
Richmond to Washington, D.C. - 1h 54m
Wilmington to Washington, D.C. - 1h 41m
What Amtrak stations are in Washington, DC?
Union Station (WAS) is Amtrak’s Washington, DC train station. Located at 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Union Station is one of Amtrak’s largest stations and features many amenities for travelers, including a staffed ticket office and Quik-Trak ticketing kiosks, ATMs, restrooms, a lactation suite for nursing mothers, many shopping and dining options, car rental counters, checked baggage service and storage, and Red Cap baggage assistance. The ClubAcela VIP lounge welcomes certain Amtrak passengers, including First-Class passengers and those riding in a sleeper car. There is a free cell phone waiting area in the Union Station garage to accommodate passenger pickups.
What amenities are offered onboard trains to Washington, DC?
When taking Amtrak to Washington, DC, passengers can enjoy many amenities on board, including comfortable seats that almost fully recline, provide plenty of legroom, and are equipped with electrical outlets. Snacks, light meals, and hot and cold beverages are available in the café car, where there are tables and comfortable seats. Many café cars feature large windows for watching the scenery. All Amtrak trains offer Coach seating plus either Business Class seating or sleeper cars. The Acela trains offer three levels of service: Coach, Business Class, and First Class.
What train routes service Washington, DC?
Seven of Amtrak’s train routes offer service to Washington, DC (WAS), including Amtrak’s signature high-speed Acela train that runs between Boston and Washington, DC. Other routes include the Capitol Limited (Chicago to Washington, DC), the Cardinal (New York City to Chicago), the Carolinian (Charlotte, NC to New York City), the Crescent (New York City and New Orleans), and the Silver Service / Palmetto (New York City to Miami). In addition, the Northeastern Regional trains travel between Boston and Springfield, MA in the north and Roanoke and Norfolk, VA in the south.
What is the difference between Viewliner and Superliner trains to Washington, DC?
Amtrak offers two types on most of its routes: the Viewliner trains, which have a single level, and the double-decker Superliner trains. Viewliner trains tend to service routes that travel through Massachusetts due to height restrictions for the state’s bridges. In the café cars of most Superliner trains, the concession area is on the lower level with additional seating and tables in the Sightseer Lounge on the upper level, which has floor-to-ceiling windows.
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