Trains from South Bend to Detroit
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
No Wanderu Fees
Without any extra fees, we make it easy to book your tickets.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Trip Summary
There are 3 daily trains from South Bend to Detroit. Traveling by train from South Bend to Detroit usually takes around 9 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 36 minutes.
| Distance | 171 mi (275 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 36m |
| Lowest price | $72.65 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from South Bend to Detroit?
In the last month, $72.65 was the average price of a train ticket from South Bend to Detroit. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 10 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $5.19 more than that for a same-day booking.
Monthly average prices
If you are trying to decide when to travel from South Bend to Detroit by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for March. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$70 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from South Bend to Detroit in December, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$93 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
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 10 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Detroit from South Bend will be about C$5.19 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from South Bend to Detroit?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects South Bend to Detroit. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 9h 34m | $84.35 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from South Bend to Detroit every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $73.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from South Bend to Detroit 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 South Bend to Detroit?
How long is the train journey from South Bend to Detroit?
The distance between South Bend and Detroit is approximately 171 miles, or 275 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 36 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.
When are trains the most crowded?
Tuesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from South Bend to Detroit. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Tuesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs South Bend at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00am. 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 South Bend to Detroit?
There are 3 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 Detroit to South Bend.
City Information
South Bend
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
South Bend is quite a small city in Indiana, but this town offers plenty of beautiful landmarks and outdoor activities that will keep you captivated. When visiting South Bend, don't miss the Century Center, which not only hosts some of the best exhibitions in town but also boasts a great view towards the nearby St Joseph River, making it a particularly photogenic spot. The North/South Continental Divide is one particular point of interest, just a bit further down the US 20 bypass. Immerse yourself in nature at Shiojiri Niwa, a Japanese garden with more than twenty different large plants.
Though a small town, South Bend still has plenty of great dining options on its plate. For the best locally sourced burgers and a killer view of the river, check out Oaken Bucket Restaurant. If you can splurge a little bit, LaSalle Grill offers some of the finest dishes in town!
South Bend is a convenient location to reach from anywhere in the Midwest, with several bus stations in the city and Amtrak service stopping at a station close to downtown. In addition, South Bend International Airport is very close to the city and offers flights to domestic and international destinations.
Detroit
Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travelers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Art, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.
As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favorite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.
The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travelers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.
Station Information
Where is the train station in South Bend?
Image credit: Adam Moss
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Adam Moss
Link to image attributionDeparture stations
All train stations in South Bend:
2702 W Washington St
Where is the train station in Detroit?
Image credit: JasonParis
Link to image attributionArrival stations
Detroit’s Amtrak station connects Motor City with the nation’s rail network via three daily trains on the Amtrak Wolverine, which runs from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan. Bus service on Miller Transportation also operates from the Amtrak Station on 11 W Baltimore Avenue, and from the adjacent platform, travelers can connect to the QLine streetcar system. The station’s amenities include clean restrooms, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighborhood, the Amtrak station is surrounded by various restaurants and is one block away from the historic landmark, Cadillac Place.
Train stations in Detroit:
11 W Baltimore Ave
Need a return trip from Detroit to South Bend?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from South Bend
- South Bend to Denver
$160+
- South Bend to Washington D.C. Train
$107+
- Train from South Bend to Orlando
$235+
- South Bend to Chicago Train
$24+
- South Bend to Indianapolis Train
$67+
- Train from South Bend to Boston
$171+
- Train from South Bend to Baltimore
$121+
- South Bend to Saint Paul Train
$105+
- South Bend to St Louis Train
$60+
- South Bend to Newark Train
$146+
- Train from South Bend to New York
$123+
- South Bend to Rochester
$85+
- South Bend to Cleveland Train
$47+
- Train from South Bend to Philadelphia
$128+
- Train from South Bend to Pittsburgh
$92+
- Train from South Bend to Dallas
$201+
- Train from South Bend to Madison
$68+
- South Bend to Milwaukee
$54+
Continue by train from Detroit
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more