Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to South Bend

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Washington DC to South Bend. Travelling by train from Washington DC to South Bend usually takes 20 hours and 51 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Floridian train can make the trip in 15 hours and 54 minutes.

Distance: 522 mi (839 km)
Fastest train: 15h 54m
Lowest price: US$76.00
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

Millions of travellers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest coach & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most coach & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travellers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Washington DC to South Bend Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Washington DC to South Bend?

There are usually 4 daily coach trips from Washington DC to South Bend.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceUS$226.58	Avg. PriceUS$118.03Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips4
Duration	Duration20h 51m	Duration19h 27mFaster

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

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Washington DC to South Bend cost about US$145 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 27 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$151.79 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to South Bend by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to South Bend will cost between US$113 and US$354. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to South Bend by month

Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to South Bend 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 US$180. If you're thinking of travelling from Washington DC to South Bend during May, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$283 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in May, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Washington DC to South Bend on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about US$151.79 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to South Bend?

2 train services operate from Washington DC to South Bend. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	23h 42m	US$283.70
Amtrak Floridian	1	15h 54m	US$127.87

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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets 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 Washington DC to South Bend every day, as well as 2 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from US$123.
Amtrak Floridian train tickets from Washington DC to South Bend start from US$75, and on average cost US$127.87. Daily, Amtrak Floridian runs one schedule to South Bend. Amtrak Floridian in Washington DC leaves from Union Station. And in South Bend trains arrive at 2702 W Washington St.
From Washington DC to South Bend train travel on Amtrak Floridian takes 15 hours and 54 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to South Bend on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Floridian scheduled trip per day, which will cost US$75 for a one-way weekend reservation from Washington DC.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Washington DC to South Bend

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Washington DC to South Bend. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a coach 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.

There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Washington DC to South Bend. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from South Bend to Washington DC. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Washington DC to South Bend for US$73.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Washington DC and South Bend is approximately 522 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 20 hours and 51 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 15 hours and 54 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

522

Distance (km)

839

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 3:20 while the last train of the day leaves at 15:57. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

3:20am

Last train

3:57pm

Trains from Washington DC to South Bend are the most crowded on Thursday. 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

Thursday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

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 transport hub with three nearby airports and several coach and train stations.

South Bend

South Bend is quite a small city in Indiana, but this town offers plenty of beautiful landmarks and outdoor activities that will keep you captivated. When visiting South Bend, don't miss the Century Center, which not only hosts some of the best exhibitions in town but also boasts a great view towards the nearby St Joseph River, making it a particularly photogenic spot. The North/South Continental Divide is one particular point of interest, just a bit further down the US 20 bypass. Immerse yourself in nature at Shiojiri Niwa, a Japanese garden with more than twenty different large plants.

Though a small town, South Bend still has plenty of great dining options on its plate. For the best locally sourced burgers and a killer view of the river, check out Oaken Bucket Restaurant. If you can splurge a little bit, LaSalle Grill offers some of the finest dishes in town!

South Bend is a convenient location to reach from anywhere in the Midwest, with several coach stations in the city and Amtrak service stopping at a station close to downtown. In addition, South Bend International Airport is very close to the city and offers flights to domestic and international destinations.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Main departure station: Union Station

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transport 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 coach travel, serving as the main coach 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, local bus and tram 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

Where is the train station in South Bend?

Main arrival station: 2702 W Washington St

The South Bend Amtrak Station opened more than 50 years ago. In 1970, the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad constructed the station, and South Shore Line was the main rail provider until 1992. Located in the cultural hub of “Michiana,” the station is near the Notre Dame University campus. Today, the South Bend Station is served by Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited lines, connecting South Bend with New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. The practical one-story concrete block station is painted a vivid, deep blue. Passengers can wait for trains on the spacious porch beside the tracks. A small shelter is also accessible on the adjacent platform.

Train stations in South Bend:

2702 W Washington St

Need a return trip from South Bend to Washington DC?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train timetables and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.