Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Columbia
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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Washington DC to Columbia. Travelling by train from Washington DC to Columbia usually takes 10 hours and 37 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
- Distance
- 405 mi (652 km)
- Fastest train
- 10h 37m
- Lowest price
- US$73.00
- Trains per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak Floridian
- Train lines
- 1
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Washington DC to Columbia Train Timetable
Is it better to travel by coach or train from Washington DC to Columbia?
There is usually 1 daily coach trip from Washington DC to Columbia.
Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceUS$126.66Cheaper | Avg. PriceUS$130.00 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration10h 37m | Duration9h 29mFaster |

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Washington DC to Columbia (Based on 1 rating and review)
5.0
There are several train options that can take you from Washington DC to Columbia:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Washington DC to Columbia?
In the last month, train tickets from Washington DC to Columbia cost about US$96 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 12 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$101.14 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Columbia by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Columbia will cost between US$74 and US$223. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Columbia by month
Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Columbia often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only US$105. If you're thinking of travelling from Washington DC to Columbia during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$178 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Washington DC to Columbia on Wanderu at least 12 days ahead of time, you can save about US$101.14 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Washington DC to Columbia?
Amtrak Floridian is the one and only train line which connects Washington DC to Columbia. 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 Floridian | 1 | 10h 37m | US$126.66 |
Amtrak Floridian train tickets from Washington DC to Columbia start from US$73, and on average cost US$126.66. Daily, Amtrak Floridian runs one schedule to Columbia. Amtrak Floridian in Washington DC leaves from Union Station. And in Columbia trains arrive at 850 Pulaski St.
From Washington DC to Columbia train travel on Amtrak Floridian takes 10 hours and 37 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Columbia on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Floridian scheduled trip per day, which will cost US$73 for a one-way weekend reservation from Washington DC.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Washington DC to Columbia
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Columbia with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains. You can also take a train for your return trip from Columbia to Washington DC. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Washington DC to Columbia for US$130.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
1
The distance between Washington DC and Columbia is approximately 405 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 37 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)
405
Distance (km)
652
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Washington DC at 13:48 and arrives in Columbia around 10 hours later.
First train
1:48pm
Last train
1:48pm
Trains from Washington DC to Columbia 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Friday
Least crowded
Wednesday
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.
Columbia



As the capital city of South Carolina, Columbia offers plenty of historic attractions and exciting activities that will keep tourists of all ages satisfied. Sitting at the heart of the city is the South Carolina State Museum, which boasts the most impressive collection of permanent and changing exhibits in the state, as well as in the Southeast. One of the top highlights of the museum is its amazing planetarium that has a height of 55 feet. If you are travelling with kids, EdVenture should certainly be on your list. The museum’s prime attraction is a giant 10-year-old with his own fake digestive tracts and vertebrae, allowing kids to explore anatomy with ease. Nature lovers should not miss out on the chance to enjoy an outdoor day at Lake Murray, which features a vast range of activities such as boating, fishing, paddling, etc.
Columbia features an exciting food scene that is brimming with new talents. For an amazing lunch, The Gourmet Shop and their famous chicken salad will be a great choice. If you wish to enjoy a dinner with wine, Lula Drake is the place to be.
Columbia’s principal coach station is located 710-A Buckner Rd on the outskirts of the city. The main Amtrak train station is located on Pulaski St in the heart of downtown near the University of South Carolina campus. Columbia is served by Amtrak’s Silver Service line. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main airport and it is located five miles southwest of the city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Washington DC?
Main departure station: Union Station

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 Columbia?
Main arrival station: 850 Pulaski St

The Columbia Amtrak Station at 850 Pulaski St is the only train station in Columbia, SC. The station is served by the Amtrak Silver Star train, which travels from New York City to Miami. Built in 1991, the Columbia Station is a steel structure located three miles from the city's downtown area and not far from the University of South Carolina campus. It offers an indoor waiting area, an information kiosk, and toilets. The station was moved to the current Pulaski Street site from Gervais Street, where the former red-brick Seaboard Air Line and Amtrak station stood.
Train stations in Columbia:
- 850 Pulaski St
Need a return trip from Columbia to Washington DC?
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