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Trip Summary
You can pick from 3 daily train trips between Washington DC and Tacoma. The average train journey from Washington DC to Tacoma takes 91 hours and 19 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 74 hours.
| Distance | 2328 mi (3746 km) |
| Fastest train | 74h 0m |
| Lowest price | £295.29 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Washington DC to Tacoma?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Washington to Tacoma. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 3d 19h 20m | £413.77 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from Washington to Tacoma every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £295.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Washington DC and Tacoma is approximately 2328 miles, or 3746 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 91 hours and 19 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 74 hours,
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.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Washington DC to Tacoma. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday 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 16:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 16:00. 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 3 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 Tacoma 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.
Tacoma
Tacoma has seen some hard times in recent years, but the city is receiving many new revival attempts, turning it into a charming town with its own unique attractions. For those interested in the history of the city, as well as the creativity of its residents, head towards the Museum District, which houses numerous interesting museums such as the Tacoma Art Museum and the Washington State History Museum. While in the area, don’t miss out on the chance to marvel at the architectural ingenuity of the Bridge of Glass. If you wish to enjoy a bit of outdoor air, diving into the cold water of American Lake in Lakewood in the morning is bound to make you happy.
Seafood has always been among Tacoma’s finest offerings, and the best place to enjoy these dishes is Duke’s Chowder House, which features a bay view. For a more exquisite taste, head over to Indochine, a pan-Asian restaurant featuring mouth watering dishes.
The main bus station and the Amtrak train station in Tacoma are both located on Puyallup Ave near downtown, just a few blocks from each other. Tacoma is served by Amtrak’s Cascades and Coast Starlight lines. The city’s main airport is Seattle–Tacoma International and it sits 22 miles north 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 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 Tacoma?
Image credit: WSDOT/AmtrakCascades
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 422 E. 25th St.
The Amtrak station in Tacoma is located at 1001 Puyallup Ave, just north of I-5 and very close to the Tacoma Dome. Local Sound Transit commuter rail uses the station, as well as Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles and Cascades from Vancouver, BC to Eugene. The bus terminal at 510 Puyallup Ave is connected to the train station complex for easy transfers to local or intercity buses. The station complex includes two parking garages and a customer service center with restrooms and vending machines. Nearby attractions in Tacoma include Freighthouse Square, a shopping mall inside an old depot, and several museums like the Washington State History Museum and Museum of Glass.
Train stations in Tacoma:
422 E. 25th St.
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