Cheap train tickets from East Lansing to Detroit

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from East Lansing to Detroit. Travelling by train from East Lansing to Detroit usually takes 7 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 31 minutes.

Distance: 78 mi (126 km)
Fastest train: 4h 31m
Lowest price: $54.76
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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East Lansing to Detroit Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from East Lansing to Detroit?

There are usually 4 daily bus trips available from East Lansing to Detroit.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$92.46	Avg. Price$37.21Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips4
Duration	Duration7h 54m	Duration3h 42mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from East Lansing to Detroit:

Amtrak tickets: $55 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from East Lansing to Detroit?

In the last month, train tickets from East Lansing to Detroit cost about $72 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 12 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $53.12 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from East Lansing to Detroit by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from East Lansing to Detroit will cost between $63 and $173. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from East Lansing to Detroit by month

Ticket prices for the train from East Lansing to Detroit often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only $79. If you're thinking of travelling from East Lansing to Detroit during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $107 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from East Lansing to Detroit on Wanderu at least 12 days ahead of time, you can save about $53.12 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from East Lansing to Detroit?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects East Lansing to Detroit. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	7h 54m	$92.47

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 are 2 Amtrak trains from East Lansing to Detroit every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $54.76.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from East Lansing to Detroit

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from East Lansing to Detroit. 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.

Trains leave the station in East Lansing twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Detroit to East Lansing. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from East Lansing to Detroit for $37.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between East Lansing and Detroit is approximately 126 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 54 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 31 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)

Distance (km)

126

The earliest train departs East Lansing at 8:54 a.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00 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

8:54am

Last train

1:00pm

Trains from East Lansing to Detroit are the most crowded on Saturday. 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

Saturday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

East Lansing

East Lansing, a city shockingly located just east of Lansing, is primarily known as the home of Michigan State University. In fact, around half of its population is composed of students, and some of the city's most visited attractions are situated on the college campus. Among them are the historic W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, the 104-foot-tall Beaumont Tower, the contemporary Broad Art Museum, and the renowned Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Aside from its vibrant college life, East Lansing is also known for its yearly events, such as The East Lansing Film Festival, the largest of its kind in the entire state.

Lake Lansing is a go-to for swimming, fishing, or just getting some fresh air, but you'll also find parks and golf courses all around the city. The tree-lined Grand River Avenue divides the MSU campus from the rest of the city; find some of the city's best shopping and dining in the Grand River area, including HopCat, Beggar's Banquet, and Barrio East Lansing.

Public transit buses connect East Lansing to the closest airport, the Capital Region International Airport. However, it's also easy to take an intercity bus to nearby travel hubs, Detroit and Chicago, by booking a ticket with Greyhound, Indian Trails, or Jefferson Lines. East Lansing is a stop on Amtrak's Blue Water line, which makes train travel in and out of the city a breeze.

Detroit

Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travellers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 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’ favourite 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 travellers 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 East Lansing?

Main departure station: Train Station - 1240 S Harrison Rd E

There is one train station in East Lansing.

All train stations in East Lansing:

Train Station - 1240 S Harrison Rd E

Where is the train station in Detroit?

Main arrival station: 11 W Baltimore Ave

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, travellers can connect to the QLine streetcar system. The station’s amenities include clean washrooms, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighbourhood, the Amtrak station is surrounded by various restaurants and is one block away from the historic landmark, Cadillac Place.

All train stations in Detroit:

11 W Baltimore Ave

Need a return trip from Detroit to East Lansing?

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