Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to New Orleans

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Washington DC to New Orleans. Travelling by train from Washington DC to New Orleans usually takes 1 day, 14 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Crescent train can make the trip in 1 day, 3 hours and 42 minutes.

Distance: 965 mi (1553 km)
Fastest train: 27h 42m
Lowest price: CHF 142.81
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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Washington DC to New Orleans Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Washington DC to New Orleans?

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Washington DC to New Orleans.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCHF 331.81	Avg. PriceCHF 155.21Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration38h 12m	Duration25h 25mFaster

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Washington DC to New Orleans (Based on 1 rating and review)

4.0

Allan

July 18, 2019 - Couples trip

Amtrak Crescent

Pros: Good seats, plenty of legroom. Clean bathrooms. Cons: Our trip was over 3 hours late arriving with no communication from staff. Staff were generally rude and abrupt -not all, but on several occasions. Passengers drinking alcohol on the train escalated to abuse of other passengers and physical assault on 2 staff members witnessed by many passengers including children. This incident was very poorly handled by staff -perhaps increased training required. And perhaps banning alcohol? this is a public safety issue. Tips: Consider if you are comfortable with the possibliity of drunk passengers being noisy, rude and possibly threatening in the carriage. Take snacks as the cafe car was frequently closed.

There are several train options that can take you from Washington DC to New Orleans:

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Washington DC to New Orleans cost about CHF 266 when booked at the cheapest time. Considering the distance between Washington DC and New Orleans, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 9 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CHF 132.45 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to New Orleans by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to New Orleans will cost between CHF 168 and CHF 879. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to New Orleans by month

Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to New Orleans often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only CHF 195. If you're thinking of travelling from Washington DC to New Orleans during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 315 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Washington DC to New Orleans on Wanderu at least 9 days ahead of time, you can save about CHF 132.45 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to New Orleans?

2 train services operate from Washington DC to New Orleans. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	48h 52m	CHF 400.37
Amtrak Crescent	1	27h 43m	CHF 264.51

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway 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 washroom, 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 is 1 Amtrak train from Washington DC to New Orleans every day, as well as 1 trip on the weekends, with prices starting from CHF 171.21.
The Crescent is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs from New York to New Orleans by way of Atlanta. As an overnight service, the Crescent offers a variety of amenities and accommodation options. There’s also a café car where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals and a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages. Like all Amtrak trains, the Crescent offers free WiFi, power outlets and extra legroom. Train trips from Washington DC to New Orleans take about 1 day, 3 hours and 43 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from CHF 142.81.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Washington DC to New Orleans

Trains leave the station in Washington DC twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to New Orleans faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from New Orleans to Washington DC. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to New Orleans for CHF 91.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Washington DC and New Orleans is approximately 1,553 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day, 14 hours and 12 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 day, 3 hours and 42 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.

Distance (mi)

965

Distance (km)

1553

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 3:57 p.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 6:30 p.m. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

3:57pm

Last train

6:30pm

Trains from Washington DC to New Orleans are the most crowded on Thursday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Sunday

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 neighbourhood 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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred vacation destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travellers.

There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.

New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centres of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The airport is located not too far from the city centre, while the city’s main bus and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Main departure station: Union Station

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travellers 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, 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 travellers 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

Where is the train station in New Orleans?

Main arrival station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transportation hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Buses operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous streetcars. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.

All train stations in New Orleans:

Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Need a return trip from New Orleans to Washington DC?

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