Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Milwaukee

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Washington DC to Milwaukee. Travelling by train from Washington DC to Milwaukee usually takes 1 day, 4 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 23 hours and 21 minutes.

Distance: 634 mi (1021 km)
Fastest train: 23h 21m
Lowest price: US$146.00
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Washington DC to Milwaukee Train Timetable

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

There are usually 3 daily coach trips from Washington DC to Milwaukee.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceUS$261.35	Avg. PriceUS$165.33Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips3
Duration	Duration28h 36m	Duration27h 7mFaster

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

Amtrak tickets: US$146 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Washington DC to Milwaukee cost about US$146 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 20 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$180.80 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Milwaukee will cost between US$135 and US$443. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Milwaukee by month

Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Milwaukee 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$249. If you're thinking of travelling from Washington DC to Milwaukee during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$395 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 Milwaukee on Wanderu at least 20 days ahead of time, you can save about US$180.80 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Milwaukee?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Washington DC to Milwaukee. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	28h 36m	US$261.35

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 3 Amtrak trains from Washington DC to Milwaukee every day, as well as 3 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from US$146.

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

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 hand 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 Milwaukee to Washington DC. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Washington DC to Milwaukee for US$104.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Washington DC and Milwaukee is approximately 634 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day, 4 hours and 36 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 23 hours and 21 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)

634

Distance (km)

1021

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 10:35 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

10:35am

Last train

3:57pm

Trains from Washington DC to Milwaukee are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Wednesday

Least crowded

Thursday

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.

Milwaukee

Nestling on the banks of the great Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has some of the most scenic views around, making it every photographer’s perfect destination. Boasting 85 miles of scenic waterfront bike lanes, Milwaukee is the perfect spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sunset together with your friends. It is also the home of the Harley Davidson Museum, a vast waterfront gallery that offers 11 permanent exhibitions. The museum features not only bikes but also special items such as a whole engine room, making it a must-visit spot for bike enthusiasts. If you are not interested in bikes, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, which is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, offers many wondrous shots.

Milwaukee’s famous German bratwursts are a must-try for all visitors, and the best place to enjoy this dish is Usinger’s. Other similar establishments include Mader’s and Milwaukee Public Market. For authentic American eats, Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-In offers amazing sloppy-joe burgers.

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the city’s main transport hub. Visitors can catch both coaches and trains at this location. The city is served by two airports. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the southern edge of the city handles commercial flights, while the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport in the northwest handles private flights.

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 Milwaukee?

Main arrival station: Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-0

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-1

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the major transport hub for rail and coach travel in Wisconsin. The station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the Midwest. It acts as a gateway for long-distance travel into the American West and also connects Milwaukee to the surrounding Midwest states via the Hiawatha service. Renovated in 2007, the Intermodal Station now also offers a range of intercity coach services from carriers, including Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. Local bus routes and The Hop tram service provide convenient local travel around Milwaukee. Located in the city’s downtown, The Intermodal Station has vast retail spaces, several museums, and pleasant waterways all on its doorstep.

Train stations in Milwaukee:

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave
Airport - 5601 S 6th St

Need a return trip from Milwaukee to Washington DC?

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