Cheap train tickets from Madison to Washington DC

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Madison to Washington DC. Travelling by train from Madison to Washington DC usually takes 1 day and 42 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 22 hours and 20 minutes.

Distance: 705 mi (1135 km)
Fastest train: 22h 20m
Lowest price: CHF 126.11
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Madison to Washington DC Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Madison to Washington DC?

There are usually 6 daily bus trips available from Madison to Washington DC.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCHF 158.26	Avg. PriceCHF 139.12Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips6
Duration	Duration24h 42mFaster	Duration27h 54m

There are several train options that can take you from Madison to Washington DC:

Amtrak tickets: CHF 112 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Madison to Washington DC cost about CHF 127 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 16 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CHF 37.58 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Madison to Washington DC by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Madison to Washington DC will cost between CHF 111 and CHF 260. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Madison to Washington DC by month

Ticket prices for the train from Madison to Washington DC often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only CHF 158. If you're thinking of travelling from Madison to Washington DC during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 216 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Madison to Washington DC on Wanderu at least 16 days ahead of time, you can save about CHF 37.58 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Madison to Washington DC?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Madison to Washington DC. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	24h 42m	CHF 158.26

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 Madison to Washington DC every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CHF 111.91.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Madison to Washington DC

While the train is the main method of transportation from Madison to Washington DC, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

Trains leave the station in Madison 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 Washington DC to Madison. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Madison to Washington DC for CHF 84.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Madison and Washington DC is approximately 1,135 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day and 42 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 22 hours and 20 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)

705

Distance (km)

1135

The earliest train departs Madison at 11:30 a.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 1:50 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

11:30am

Last train

1:50pm

Trains from Madison to Washington DC are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Friday

City Information

Madison

Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colourful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

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 neighbourhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.

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 Madison?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

There are two stations in Madison where you can board the train to Washington DC.

All train stations in Madison:

University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Main arrival station: Union Station

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

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

All train stations in Washington DC:

Union Station

Need a return trip from Washington DC to Madison?

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