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Trains from Philadelphia to Washington DC

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Philadelphia - Washington DC Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are 50 daily trains from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Traveling by train from Philadelphia to Washington DC usually takes around 3 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Acela train can make the trip in one hour and 39 minutes.

Distance123 mi (198 km)
Fastest train1h 39m
Lowest price$23.08
Trains per day31
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines9

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Philadelphia to Washington

(Based on 96 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

sheli

May 21, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Good value in business class

Good value in business class

5.0

Raquel

May 19, 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Northeast Regional

We really needed to get to Washington airport on time and were worried. We got there well on time!!

We really needed to get to Washington airport on time and were worried. We got there well on time!!

5.0

Yosef

May 10, 2022- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Pleasant. Cons: Soft music in a background. Tips: Keep it low on the phone conversation!!

Pros: Pleasant. Cons: Soft music in a background. Tips: Keep it low on the phone conversation!!

5.0

Gladys

May 10, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: The trip was enjoyable and safe there was a very pleasant female attendant seeing to the boarding lines she was very pleasant and cheerful as she served as i speak from personal experience. Cons: The train could be a little cleaner and intercom be a little clea...

Pros: The trip was enjoyable and safe there was a very pleasant female attendant seeing to the boarding lines she was very pleasant and cheerful as she served as i speak from personal experience. Cons: The train could be a little cleaner and intercom be a little clearer and some passengers could be a bit more considerable on their phone two in front of me talked all the way until i got off. Tips: Just book your trip show up take your seat and enjoy the ride.

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5.0

Mary

May 8, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: On time, staff very pleasant and helpful. Cons: Need bigger signs in the “quiet car” One traveler spoke a long time on her cellphone. A very polite lady informed the cellphone user that this is a quiet car. Cellphone user was verbally abusive and racial comments ...

Pros: On time, staff very pleasant and helpful. Cons: Need bigger signs in the “quiet car” One traveler spoke a long time on her cellphone. A very polite lady informed the cellphone user that this is a quiet car. Cellphone user was verbally abusive and racial comments used. Tips: Yes - New York June and July.

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Philadelphia to Washington DC Route Map

Philadelphia Washington

Train service from Philadelphia to Washington DC

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

In the last month, $103.62 was the average price of a train ticket from Philadelphia to Washington. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 22 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $31.95 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

$154$103$51MayJun

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC will vary between C$86 and C$136. Planning a train trip to Washington within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Philadelphia over the next 7 days is C$104. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Monthly average prices

$128$103$77$51$26JJASONDJFMAM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for January. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$74 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$103 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

$160$128$96$64$323020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 22 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Washington from Philadelphia will be about C$31.95 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

There are 9 train lines with service from Philadelphia to Washington. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 25 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak255h 27m$123.55
Amtrak Acela81h 48m$177.99
Amtrak Cardinal12h 3m$133.05
Amtrak Carolinian11h 52m$92.50
Amtrak Crescent12h 11m$127.24
Amtrak Northeast Regional132h 6m$69.37
Amtrak Palmetto11h 54m$107.04
Amtrak Silver Service12h 2m$105.47
Amtrak Vermonter12h 5m$65.69
  • Amtrak

    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 25 Amtrak trains from Philadelphia to Washington every day, as well as 151 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $23.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9
  • Amtrak Acela

    Amtrak Acela

    The Acela is Amtrak’s flagship high-speed rail service. Connecting 15 cities along the Northeast Corridor of the United States, the Acela is Amtrak’s fastest running passenger train, developing a speed of up to 82.2 mph. Acela trains are equipped with free high-speed internet, power outlets and extra comfortable seats. In addition, all Acela passengers have access to the line’s signature Corridor Café where they can unwind and enjoy a freshly prepared meal with a glass of wine. There are 8 Acela trips from Philadelphia to Washington every day, including the weekend. As it is Amtrak’s most premiumly priced service, the average Acela train ticket for this route costs around .

  • Amtrak Cardinal

    Amtrak Cardinal

    The Amtrak Cardinal is a long distance passenger rail service from New York to Chicago, connecting a total of 31 cities. As one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the Cardinal is a popular train line connecting the Northeast to the Southeast, and offers top-notch comfort thanks to its seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available for purchase in the Cardinal Café. There are usually 1 Cardinal trips from Philadelphia to Washington per day, with an average trip length of 2 hours and 3 minutes.

  • Amtrak Carolinian

    Amtrak Carolinian

    The Amtrak Carolinian is a passenger train service which connects New York City and Washington, DC to some of the most charming destinations in North Carolina. The Carolinian runs an average of 1 trips per day between Philadelphia and Washington, all of which include seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available in the Café car. The average Amtrak Carolinian ticket price for this route is , and the trip usually lasts around 1 hours and 52 minutes.

  • Amtrak Crescent

    Amtrak Crescent

    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 Philadelphia to Washington take about 2 hours and 11 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $97.

  • Amtrak Northeast Regional

    Amtrak Northeast Regional

    The Northeast Regional is Amtrak’s passenger rail service that runs between Boston, MA and Virginia Beach, VA, connecting over 50 cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. While the line’s downtown-to-downtown train service makes traveling between the biggest cities in the Northeast convenient and hassle-free, the train’s amenities make the journey comfortable and relaxing as well. Amtrak passengers can enjoy large seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as free WiFi and clean bathrooms. With 13 daily train trips from Philadelphia to Washington, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

  • Amtrak Palmetto

    Amtrak Palmetto

    The Palmetto is an Amtrak train service that runs a total of 829 miles from New York City to Savannah, GA, connecting 20 cities from the Northeast to the Southeast along the way. Traveling from Philadelphia to Washington is comfortable and relaxing on the Palmetto, thanks to the train’s free WiFi, power outlets, and seating with extra legroom. You can pick from 1 daily departures along this route, with train ticket pricing at an average of on the Palmetto.

  • Amtrak Silver Service

    Amtrak Silver Service

    The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Philadelphia to Washington start from $82 and the average train journey lasts about 2 hours and 2 minutes.

  • Amtrak Vermonter

    Amtrak Vermonter

    The Vermonter is an Amtrak passenger train that connects St. Albans, VT to Washington, D.C. by way of New York City. The journey is renowned for the beautiful scenic views that it presents as it passes through the Green Mountains and the Berkshires. Aboard the Vermonter, passengers can enjoy free WiFi, power outlets at every seat and extra legroom. You can also grab a bite to eat or enjoy a refreshing beverage from the train’s café. There are 1 Vermonter trains traveling from Philadelphia to Washington every day, with prices starting from $23.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Amtrak lines travel from Philadelphia to Washington?

There are 8 Amtrak lines that travel between Philly and Washington, DC, combining for 40 daily trips.

  • Amtrak Acela offers 13 daily trips from Philadelphia to Washington, and is the fastest train covering this route, with an average travel time of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It’s also the most expensive, with ticket prices averaging around $149.
  • Amtrak Northeast Regional offers 18 daily trips from Philadelphia to Washington, with an average travel time of 2 hours. Tickets on the Northeast Regional average around $69.
  • Amtrak Silver Service offers 2 daily trips from Philadelphia to Washington, with an average travel time of 1 hour and 58 minutes. Tickets on the Silver Service average around $101.51.
  • Amtrak Vermonter offers 1 daily trip from Philadelphia to Washington, with an average travel time of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It’s also the cheapest option, with tickets averaging $65.36.
  • Amtrak Carolinian, Cardinal, Crescent and Palmetto all offer 1 daily trip between Philadelphia and Washington, with trips taking about 2 hours and prices ranging between $72 and $82.

Where does the train drop you off in DC?

Incoming Amtrak lines in DC drop off passengers at Washington Union Station. Union Station is a historic train station, completed in 1908 by the famed architect Daniel Burnham. At Union Station you can board regional transit, including the Metro, the Maryland Rail Commuter Service (MARC), the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and local buses.

From Philadelphia, trains depart from 30th Street Station. The first train of the day departs at 12:00 a.m., while the last train departs at 10:00 p.m.

Is Philadelphia to Washington a good day-trip?

A day-trip from Philadelphia to Washington would be relatively doable, as the total travel time averages around 2 hours. However, the cheapest ticket is $65, making it rather expensive for a day-trip — in which case you may prefer to take a bus. Buses take closer to 3 hours, but tickes are only $14.

Is it safe to travel by train from Philadelphia to Washington 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 Philadelphia to Washington DC?

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Philadelphia to Washington DC. 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.

How long is the train journey from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

The distance between Philadelphia and Washington DC is approximately 123 miles, or 198 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 11 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 39 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

When are trains the most crowded?

Trains from Philadelphia to Washington DC are the most crowded on Monday. 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 traveling on Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Philadelphia at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. 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 Philadelphia to Washington DC?

There are 50 scheduled trains on most days. 31 of these are direct connections to Washington DC. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Washington DC to Philadelphia.

City Information

Philadelphia

We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?

Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Fuel up at the Reading Terminal Market or Italian Market, both offering fresh food from local vendors, to prepare for a night hitting up the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line up South Street.

Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.

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 neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, and follow that up with a drink (or two) at one of the many bars in the area.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Philadelphia?

Departure stations

Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 15 stops and stations in Philadelphia where you can board the train.

All train stations in Philadelphia:

  • 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

  • 13 Lancaster Ave

  • 53 E Mcgovern Ave

  • Harrisburg Transportation Center

  • 50 S Wilson Ave

  • Amtrak SEPTA Station

  • 270 West Emaus Street

  • 25 S Market St

  • West Lancaster Ave and Stuart Ave

  • 300 Fleetwood St

  • 501 Maple St

  • 44 Station Road

  • Park & Ride Lot

  • Scranton Bus Terminal

  • 525 State Rte 940

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Arrival stations

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

Train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

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