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Washington DC to Lancaster train

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Washington DC - Lancaster Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 15 daily trains from Washington DC to Lancaster. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Lancaster usually takes around 5 hours and 42 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 3 hours and 17 minutes.

Distance87 mi (141 km)
Fastest train3h 17m
Lowest price£25.75
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Washington to Lancaster

(Based on 8 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Janeal

19 November 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Honestly got a great price for where i was going. Cons: The amtrak was not the cleanliest. The ride i was had was pretty packed so a bit clustered. Tips: Bring something to snack on. Smaller luggage because you have to put it above you, when it is time for your depart from train you are given like 3 minutes. My phone service was really bad. But, the wifi was great on the train. I wish free pay phones was at the train stops.

5.0

Marjory

12 September 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak

It's been a long time since I have traveled on my own and I was a bit nervous about making my connections, but there were no problems and I had plenty of time to find my gate

5.0

Merlinda

25 August 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Helpful ppl and the view of the places and stops. Cons: The smell of the train. Tips: Great deal and a must!!

5.0

Miriam Noemi

4 September 2021- Visiting friends

Amtrak

It was on time and very fast

3.0

Enrico

11 June 2019- Vacation

Amtrak

Pros: Good choice of trains tickets all along the day. Cons: Trains must be on time.

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

The average price for a train ticket from Washington to Lancaster is £56.93, By booking your trip at least 28 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay £34.70 more.

Average prices by travel date

£109£72£36AprApr

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Lancaster will range from £43 to £98. If you're planning to travel by train to Lancaster in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Washington you can find in the next 7 days is £48. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

£101£80£60£40£20MJJASONDJFMA
You can find the lowest prices on this route during February. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Washington DC to Lancaster, with the average price at just £64. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in November, when the average price goes up to £91. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

£101£80£60£40£203020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Washington to Lancaster, book online with Wanderu at least 28 days in advance. That way, you’ll save £34.70 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Lancaster?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Washington to Lancaster. However, there are 15 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak155h 42m£71.41

  • 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 15 Amtrak trains from Washington to Lancaster every day, as well as 12 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £26.

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance between Washington DC and Lancaster is approximately 87 miles, or 141 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 42 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 17 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.

Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Washington DC to Lancaster. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 05:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:00. 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 15 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 Lancaster to Washington DC.

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 neighborhood 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.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a city in the Piedmont Region, between Baltimore and Philadelphia, primarily known for being a hub of Pennsylvania's Amish Country. One of Lancaster's most popular attractions is the Central Market, housed in an impressive structure built in 1889. Here, you can shop from over 60 vendors and sample their fresh fruits, cheeses, or baked treats and purchase handmade Amish goods unique to the area.

Lancaster also features a growing art scene, and Gallery Row downtown hosts some of the town's best boutiques, art galleries, and vintage shops. The Demuth Museum and Lancaster Museum of Art offer additional venues for culture vultures to check out. If you're visiting with kids, don't miss Dutch Wonderland just outside of town; this royal theme park includes 32 rides and activities catering to young children.

Lancaster features a vibrant food scene with plenty of selections and cuisines for even the most discerning foodies. Some local favourites include C'est La Vie, The Brasserie Restaurant & Bar, and Shot & Bottle.

Amtrak Pennsylvanian and Keystone Service trains stop in Lancaster and connect the town with Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and New York. OurBus offers intercity coach routes to Lancaster, as well. The nearest airport for passenger flights is in Philadelphia, about 60 miles away or just an hour on the train.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main departure station: Union Station

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.

All train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

Where is the train station in Lancaster?

Main arrival station: 53 E Mcgovern Ave

Lancaster has one train station.

Train stations in Lancaster:

  • 53 E Mcgovern Ave

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