Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Louisville

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

Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Washington DC to Louisville. Travelling by train from Washington DC to Louisville usually takes 1 day, 3 hours and 35 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 1 day, 2 hours and 3 minutes.

Distance: 473 mi (761 km)
Fastest train: 26h 3m
Lowest price: US$135.00
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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 Louisville Train Timetable

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

There are usually 6 daily coach trips from Washington DC to Louisville.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceUS$204.39	Avg. PriceUS$152.20Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips6
Duration	Duration27h 35m	Duration20h 26mFaster

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

Amtrak tickets: US$135 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Washington DC to Louisville cost about US$163 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 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$112.83 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Louisville will cost between US$163 and US$305. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Louisville by month

Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Louisville 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$198. If you're thinking of travelling from Washington DC to Louisville during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$254 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Washington DC to Louisville on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time, you can save about US$112.83 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Louisville?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Washington DC to Louisville. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	27h 35m	US$204.39

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 is 1 Amtrak train from Washington DC to Louisville every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from US$135.

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

While the train is the main method of transport from Washington DC to Louisville, 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 coach or express shuttle.

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. 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 hand luggage with you when you transfer 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 Louisville to Washington DC. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Washington DC to Louisville for US$98.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Washington DC and Louisville is approximately 473 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day, 3 hours and 35 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 day, 2 hours and 3 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)

473

Distance (km)

761

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Washington DC at 11:39 and arrives in Louisville around 26 hours later.

First train

11:39am

Last train

3:57pm

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

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Monday

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.

Louisville

A mecca for fans of sports, Louisville holds the honour of being the birthplace of many sports legends. Even non-sports fans should not miss out on the Muhammad Ali Center, where tourists can learn more about the life and legacy of the legendary boxer. Aside from permanent galleries dedicated to the boxer himself, the museum also features temporary exhibitions on topics such as race and gender equality. Another top highlight from the city is Churchill Downs, where the famous Kentucky Derby is hosted. Contrary to what people might imagine, the racing track is actually quite idyllic, and if there is one place you must visit in Louisville, this is probably the one. If you are looking for a unique experience, head towards the Louisville Mega Cavern. This cavern system was created out of a 19th-century limestone quarry and it features the world’s only underground zip line course.

Three things dominate the food scene in Louisville: barbecue, bourbon, and mint juleps. Some local favourites are Mark’s Feed Store and Feast BBQ. If you are looking for the finest bourbon, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is certainly a good call.

The central coach station in Louisville is the Bus Terminal on W Muhammad Ali Blvd, connecting the city with near and far destinations such as Cincinnati, Chicago and Nashville. There are no train tracks that run through the city. However, the city is still a part of Amtrak’s network via the carrier’s Thruway coach line. The Louisville International Airport fulfills air services for the city.

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 Louisville?

Main arrival station: Louisville Bus Station

The Louisville Bus Terminal, located at 720 W Muhammad Ali Blvd, serves interstate Greyhound coach services. The station is equipped with toilets, vending machines, and indoor seating. The station also has an adjoining cafeteria in case vending machine snacks aren't enough to satisfy your hunger. In addition, there is also a customer service and ticket kiosk where station staff can answer any questions you may have. The station is located in Downtown Louisville, only a short walk from the city's most exciting amenities and several nearby restaurants and convenience stores.

Train stations in Louisville:

Louisville Bus Station

Need a return trip from Louisville 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.