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Trip Summary
2 trains operate daily from Saint Paul to Detroit Lakes. The train trip from Saint Paul to Detroit Lakes is usually about 3 hours and 53 minutes long. However, be prepared just in case your train arrives slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 185 mi (297 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 53m |
| Lowest price | $30.37 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Empire Builder |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Saint Paul to Detroit Lakes?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Saint Paul to Detroit Lakes was $33.82. This is a fantastic deal for train travel. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Detroit Lakes 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 $3.45.
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from Saint Paul to Detroit Lakes?
Amtrak Empire Builder is the one and only train line which connects Saint Paul to Detroit Lakes. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Empire Builder | 2 | 3h 53m | $41.34 |
The Amtrak Empire Builder is a long-distance passenger rail service that has been in operation since 1929. The full 2,200-mile route takes 45 hours to connect Chicago with the Pacific Northwest. Don’t let the length of the trip intimidate you; the Empire Builder is one of Amtrak’s most popular services, and often rated as the most scenic train route in the country. The sightseer lounge, home to enormous windows, is the perfect place to drink in the incredible views of the Mississippi River, the North Dakota Plains, Glacier National Park, and the Columbia River Gorge. Overnight trips on the Empire Builder include the option to book sleeper cabins, for a more comfortable journey and included meals. All passengers can purchase meals or snacks in the cafe car.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Saint Paul and Detroit Lakes is approximately 185 miles, or 297 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 53 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.
Trains departing from Saint Paul to Detroit Lakes tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. 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.
The earliest train departs Saint Paul at 11:00pm 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.
Trains leave the station in Saint Paul twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to Detroit Lakes with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to get off or switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Detroit Lakes to Saint Paul.
City Information
Saint Paul
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.
For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.
Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Saint Paul?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Union Depot
Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Union Depot has a remarkable history dating back to 1881. It remains the major transport hub of Saint Paul, as well as the designated station for Amtrak service in the Twin Cities. Besides the long-haul Empire Builder train, the station serves Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity buses and connects to local public transit. Within the Union Depot complex, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop, rental car agency, and can even join a public tour to admire the architecture and learn about the station’s storied past.
All train stations in Saint Paul:
Union Depot
Where is the train station in Detroit Lakes?
Main arrival station: White Earth Transit Station
Detroit Lakes has one train station.
Train stations in Detroit Lakes:
White Earth Transit Station
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