United Kingdom
| Lowest price | €70.25 |
| Fastest train | 17h 25m |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Train lines | 3 |
Is it safe to travel by train from Chicago to Washington during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
What is the price of a train ticket from Chicago to Washington DC?
In the last month, €82.70 was the average price of a train ticket from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 23 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around €54.31 more than that for a same-day booking.
How long is the train journey from Chicago to Washington DC?
The distance between Chicago and Washington DC is approximately 594 miles, or 955 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 21 hours and 35 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 17 hours and 25 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.
When are trains the most crowded?
Trains from Chicago to Washington DC 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 traveling on Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Chicago at 17:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 17:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from Chicago to Washington DC?
Trains leave the station in Chicago twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to Washington DC faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Washington DC to Chicago. If you're not not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Chicago to Washington DC for €51.02.
Which train should you take from Chicago to Washington DC?
There are 3 train lines with service from Chicago, Illinois to Washington, District of Columbia. There is only one daily train on each service.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 23h 30m | €136.19 |
| Amtrak Capitol Limited | 1 | 17h 25m | €104.76 |
| Amtrak Cardinal | 1 | 23h 34m | €84.08 |
Amtrak train tickets from Chicago to Washington DC start from €89, and on average cost €136. Daily there are 1 Amtrak schedules to Washington. Amtrak in Chicago leaves from Union Station - 225 S Canal St, And in Washington trains arrive at Union Station, From Chicago to Washington DC train travel on Amtrak takes 23 hours and 30 minutes. If you are looking to get to Washington faster, Amtrak offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 17 hours and 25 minutes.
Amtrak Capitol Limited train tickets from Chicago to Washington DC start from €70, and on average cost €105. Daily there are 1 Amtrak Capitol Limited schedules to Washington. Amtrak Capitol Limited in Chicago leaves from Union Station - 225 S Canal St, And in Washington trains arrive at Union Station, From Chicago to Washington DC train travel on Amtrak Capitol Limited takes 17 hours and 25 minutes. If you are looking to travel to Washington on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Capitol Limited scheduled trip per day, which will cost €102 for a one-way weekend reservation from Chicago.
Amtrak Cardinal train tickets from Chicago to Washington DC start from €70, and on average cost €84. Daily there are 1 Amtrak Cardinal schedules to Washington. Amtrak Cardinal in Chicago leaves from Union Station - 225 S Canal St, And in Washington trains arrive at Union Station, From Chicago to Washington DC train travel on Amtrak Cardinal takes 23 hours and 34 minutes. If you are looking to get to Washington faster, Amtrak Cardinal offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 17 hours and 25 minutes. If you are looking to travel to Washington on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Cardinal scheduled trip per day, which will cost €94 for a one-way weekend reservation from Chicago.
Where is the train station in Chicago?
There is one train station in Chicago:
Where is the train station in Washington DC?
Washington DC has one train station:
Overall score for trains from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC
(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)
2.0
€176+
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€22+
€22+
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