Cheap train tickets from St Louis to Detroit
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from St Louis to Detroit?
There are usually 5 daily bus trips from St Louis to Detroit.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$146.48 | Avg. Price$220.58 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration16h 27m | Duration16h 12m |
Search Buses | Search Trains |
Trip Summary
6 trains operate daily from St Louis to Detroit. The train trip from St Louis to Detroit is usually about 18 hours and 22 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 13 hours and 5 minutes.
Distance | 455 mi (732 km) |
Fastest train | 13h 5m |
Lowest price | $112.94 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from St Louis to Detroit?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from St Louis to Detroit was $191.02. Tickets for this route are somewhat expensive, given the distance between St Louis and Detroit. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Detroit if you book your train tickets at least 9 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $57.17.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from St Louis to Detroit?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects St Louis to Detroit. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 6 | 18h 22m | $230.21 |
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 6 Amtrak trains from St Louis to Detroit every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $96.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from St Louis to Detroit
The distance between St Louis and Detroit is approximately 455 miles, or 732 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 22 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 13 hours and 5 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 St Louis to Detroit tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. 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 Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs St Louis at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 6 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 St Louis.
City Information
St Louis
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming 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 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 St Louis?
Image credit: Chris Yunker
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Gateway Station opened in 2008 to consolidate St Louis’ transportation services into one central hub. The station’s award-winning design includes a pedestrian walkway with expansive colored glass windows overlooking the train tracks. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown St Louis, the station is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and hotels and is just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and the iconic Gateway Arch. Amenities inside the station include free Wifi, a food court, and a lounge for Amtrak’s First Class passengers. Gateway Station is a major stop for intercity bus service, several Amtrak train lines, and the city’s MetroLink which can connect you with the St Louis Lambert International Airport in just 30 minutes.
All train stations in St Louis:
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Where is the train station in Detroit?
Image credit: JasonParis
Link to image attributionMain 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, 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
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