Cheap train tickets from New Orleans to Washington DC

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from New Orleans to Washington DC. Travelling by train from New Orleans to Washington DC usually takes 1 day, 13 hours and 7 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Crescent train can make the trip in 1 day, 3 hours and 37 minutes.

Distance: 965 mi (1553 km)
Fastest train: 27h 37m
Lowest price: RON 817.76
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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New Orleans to Washington DC Train Timetable

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

There are usually 2 daily coach trips from New Orleans to Washington DC.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceRON 1,757.41	Avg. PriceRON 858.74Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration37h 7m	Duration29h 11mFaster

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

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from New Orleans to Washington DC cost about RON 1,225 when booked at the cheapest time. Considering the distance between New Orleans and Washington DC, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 21 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 1,626.67 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from New Orleans to Washington DC by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from New Orleans to Washington DC will cost between RON 1,081 and RON 3,534. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from New Orleans to Washington DC by month

Ticket prices for the train from New Orleans to Washington DC 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 RON 1,215. If you're thinking of travelling from New Orleans to Washington DC during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 1,894 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from New Orleans to Washington DC on Wanderu at least 21 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 1,626.67 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from New Orleans to Washington DC?

2 train services operate from New Orleans to Washington DC. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	41h 3m	RON 1,880.87
Amtrak Crescent	1	27h 40m	RON 1,459.94

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 2 Amtrak trains from New Orleans to Washington DC every day, as well as 2 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from RON 1,071.21.
The Crescent is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs from New York to New Orleans by way of Atlanta. As an overnight service, the Crescent offers a variety of amenities and accommodation options. There’s also a café car where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals and a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages. Like all Amtrak trains, the Crescent offers free WiFi, power sockets and extra legroom. Train trips from New Orleans to Washington DC take about 1 day, 3 hours and 40 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from RON 817.76.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from New Orleans to Washington DC

There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from New Orleans to Washington DC. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Washington DC to New Orleans. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from New Orleans to Washington DC for RON 540.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between New Orleans and Washington DC is approximately 965 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day, 13 hours and 7 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 day, 3 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)

965

Distance (km)

1553

The earliest train departs New Orleans at 9:10 while the last train of the day leaves at 13:45. 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

9:10am

Last train

1:45pm

Trains from New Orleans to Washington DC are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Tuesday

City Information

New Orleans

New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred holiday destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travellers.

There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.

New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centres of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transport. The airport is located not too far from the city centre, while the city’s main coach and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in New Orleans?

Main departure station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transport hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Coaches operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous trams. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.

All train stations in New Orleans:

Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Main arrival 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.

Train stations in Washington DC:

Union Station

Need a return trip from Washington DC to New Orleans?

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