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Trains from Washington DC to Richmond

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Washington DC - Richmond Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are 43 daily trains from Washington DC to Richmond. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Richmond usually takes around 23 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Northeast Regional train can make the trip in 2 hours and 8 minutes.

Distance97 mi (156 km)
Fastest train2h 8m
Lowest price$14.27
Trains per day9
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines5

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Washington to Richmond

(Based on 22 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

jean marc

May 15, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Palmetto

to offer in package the option of bus transfer from the train station to downtown. the location of the main station in richmond beeing in the suburbs

to offer in package the option of bus transfer from the train station to downtown. the location of the main station in richmond beeing in the suburbs

5.0

Juan Ignacio

April 6, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Fast, clean and safe. Cons: The service was perfect. Tips: Use Trains, are more expensive but far better than a bus.

Pros: Fast, clean and safe. Cons: The service was perfect. Tips: Use Trains, are more expensive but far better than a bus.

5.0

Ellen

April 2, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: pleasant way to travel. Cons: Being on time Listing Gates more clearly at Union Station in DC.

Pros: pleasant way to travel. Cons: Being on time Listing Gates more clearly at Union Station in DC.

5.0

Katherine

March 25, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Palmetto

It was exactly on time. I was impressed.

It was exactly on time. I was impressed.

4.0

Carlos Eduardo

January 11, 2022- Couples trip

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: The scenery, the staff and the train. Tips: If you take the train and you are hungry, better to bring some food and snacks, since during this pandemic most of the amenities are not there.

Pros: The scenery, the staff and the train. Tips: If you take the train and you are hungry, better to bring some food and snacks, since during this pandemic most of the amenities are not there.

Train service from Washington DC to Richmond

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Washington DC to Richmond?

In the last month, $135.66 was the average price of a train ticket from Washington to Richmond. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 4 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $40.41 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

$253$169$84MayJun

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Richmond will vary between C$165 and C$241. Planning a train trip to Richmond within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Washington over the next 7 days is C$165. 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.

Monthly average prices

$130$104$78$52$26JJASONDJFMAM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Washington DC to Richmond by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for January. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$36 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Washington DC to Richmond in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$101 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$162$130$97$65$323020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 4 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Richmond from Washington will be about C$40.41 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Richmond?

There are 5 train lines with service from Washington to Richmond. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 35 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak351d 10h 35m$257.84
Amtrak Carolinian12h 19m$27.76
Amtrak Northeast Regional55h 5m$71.26
Amtrak Palmetto12h 12m$28.44
Amtrak Silver Service12h 9m$75.66
  • Amtrak

    Amtrak

    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 35 Amtrak trains from Washington to Richmond every day, as well as 23 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $21.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9
  • Amtrak Carolinian

    Amtrak Carolinian

    The Amtrak Carolinian is a passenger train service which connects New York City and Washington, DC to some of the most charming destinations in North Carolina. The Carolinian runs an average of 1 trips per day between Washington and Richmond, all of which include seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available in the Café car. The average Amtrak Carolinian ticket price for this route is , and the trip usually lasts around 2 hours and 19 minutes.

  • Amtrak Northeast Regional

    Amtrak Northeast Regional

    The Northeast Regional is Amtrak’s passenger rail service that runs between Boston, MA and Virginia Beach, VA, connecting over 50 cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. While the line’s downtown-to-downtown train service makes traveling between the biggest cities in the Northeast convenient and hassle-free, the train’s amenities make the journey comfortable and relaxing as well. Amtrak passengers can enjoy large seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as free WiFi and clean bathrooms. With 5 daily train trips from Washington to Richmond, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

  • Amtrak Palmetto

    Amtrak Palmetto

    The Palmetto is an Amtrak train service that runs a total of 829 miles from New York City to Savannah, GA, connecting 20 cities from the Northeast to the Southeast along the way. Traveling from Washington to Richmond is comfortable and relaxing on the Palmetto, thanks to the train’s free WiFi, power outlets, and seating with extra legroom. You can pick from 1 daily departures along this route, with train ticket pricing at an average of on the Palmetto.

  • Amtrak Silver Service

    Amtrak Silver Service

    The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Washington to Richmond start from $19 and the average train journey lasts about 2 hours and 9 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Washington to Richmond during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

Can you take a train all the way from Washington DC to Richmond?

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Washington DC to Richmond. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

How long is the train journey from Washington DC to Richmond?

The distance between Washington DC and Richmond is approximately 97 miles, or 156 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 23 hours and 28 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 8 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

When are trains the most crowded?

Trains departing from Washington DC to Richmond tend to have the most passengers on Monday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Monday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Wednesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Is there a direct train from Washington DC to Richmond?

There are 43 scheduled trains on most days. 9 of these are direct connections to Richmond. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Richmond to Washington DC.

City Information

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, and follow that up with a drink (or two) at one of the many bars in the area.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

Richmond

As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travelers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.

Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favorites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.

Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Departure stations

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.

All train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • Columbus, Ohio

  • 5885 Horton St

  • Union Station

  • 11 W Baltimore Ave

  • 1100 Liberty Ave

  • 307 South Stonestreet Ave

  • Potomac St & Shenandoah St

  • 200 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway

  • Union Station

  • Union Station - 1701 Wynkoop Street

  • 340 S 600 W

  • Central Station

  • Union Station - 400 S Houston St

Where is the train station in Richmond?

7519 Staples Mill Rd - RICAMT1-0

Image credit: Eli Christman

Link to image attribution
7519 Staples Mill Rd - RICAMT1-1

Image credit: Avinash Kunnath

Link to image attribution

Arrival stations

Located around 5 miles north of Richmond’s city center, the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road is Amtrak’s busiest transport hub in the Southeast Region. The station was built in 1975 to replace the downtown Main Street Station. It now serves as an important terminal for routes traveling up and down the American East. Passengers can venture north onboard the Northeast Regional service—Amtrak’s busiest route—to Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. Richmond’s Amtrak Station also offers several southward connections to vacation destinations along the East Coast in [South Carolina(/train-tickets/us-sc/), Georgia, and Florida. In addition, the GRTC bus service is available from the station for transport into downtown Richmond.

Train stations in Richmond:

  • 7519 Staples Mill Rd

  • 1500 E Main St

Need a return trip from Richmond to Washington DC?

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