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You can pick from 14 daily train trips between Washington DC and Rensselaer. The average train journey from Washington DC to Rensselaer takes 9 hours and 41 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 5 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 310 mi (499 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 45m |
| Lowest price | $77.30 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Overall score for trains from Washington to Rensselaer
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: beautiful trip along the Hudson river. seats were very comfortable. Cons: We got off on the wrong exit. Apparently there are 2 Penn Stations. Other than trying to listen to the overhead speaker there isnt anything else that tells you what exit you are at, like the metro system in DC. Getting back on track was not a good experience in Newark, NJ. Tips: Dont get off in Newark, NJ. :) ever.
5.0
Pros: clean, on time, friendly personel. Cons: price. Tips: Faster than a car.
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Washington to Rensselaer was $179.12. Tickets for this route are somewhat expensive, given the distance between Washington DC and Rensselaer. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Rensselaer if you book your train tickets at least 27 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $139.25.
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Rensselaer will vary between C$137 and C$294. Planning a train trip to Rensselaer within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Washington over the next 7 days is C$149. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.
If you're looking to save on your train trip from Washington to Rensselaer, book online with Wanderu at least 27 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $139.25 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Washington to Rensselaer. However, there are 14 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 14 | 9h 41m | $225.18 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 14 Amtrak trains from Washington to Rensselaer every day, as well as 12 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $77.
The distance between Washington DC and Rensselaer is approximately 310 miles, or 499 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 41 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Washington DC to Rensselaer. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Washington DC at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 14 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Rensselaer to Washington DC.
Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.
D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.
Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.
Rensselaer is a small town located just across the Hudson River from the New York State capital, Albany. The Amtrak train station that serves Albany is actually located within Rensselaer, so many commuters and vacationers alike will pass through the city when traveling in the Hudson River Valley.
Rensselaer itself boasts a rich industrial tradition, and it was known as a major railway hub in the 19th century. One of the appealing local attractions in town is the Crailo State Historic Site. The site is a manor house, built in 1707, that today serves as a museum dedicated to the culture of Dutch colonists in New York State. More museums, activities, parks, and sights are waiting just across the river in Albany for the curious traveler.
The city of Rensselaer is an important transportation hub for Amtrak trains throughout the region, which include the Amtrak Empire Service, Amtrak Lake Shore Limited, Amtrak Maple Leaf, and Amtrak Ethan Allen Express. Between these services, Amtrak connects Rensselaer to New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and beyond. The nearest airport to the city is the Albany International Airport.
Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.
Union Station
Rensselaer has one train station.
Albany-Rensselaer Train Station
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
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