Wanderu Logo
United Kingdom flag
£
Log in

Trains from Lancaster to Washington DC

Lowest Prices

We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.

No Wanderu Fees

Without any extra fees, we make it easy to book your tickets.

Best Travel Options

We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.

Lancaster - Washington DC Train Timetable

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from£24.84

Trip Summary

There are 16 daily trains from Lancaster to Washington DC. Traveling by train from Lancaster to Washington DC usually takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 3 hours and 24 minutes.

Distance87 mi (141 km)
Fastest train3h 24m
Lowest price£66.23
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Lancaster to Washington

(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

JOSHUA SAMUEL

24 July 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Everything was perfect well in shape by god's grace. Cons: WiFi Connectivity power in charging ports in train continuously and ac in train. Tips: Pl book early to get good prices unlike mine at the last minute.

Pros: Everything was perfect well in shape by god's grace. Cons: WiFi Connectivity power in charging ports in train continuously and ac in train. Tips: Pl book early to get good prices unlike mine at the last minute.

5.0

Joeann

5 May 2021- Vacation

Amtrak

Pros: The train was on time and the ride was very comfortable. Cons: Absolutely nothing.

Pros: The train was on time and the ride was very comfortable. Cons: Absolutely nothing.

5.0

Guy

23 April 2021- Couples trip

Amtrak

staff was very helpful and nice.

staff was very helpful and nice.

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

In the last month, £68.32 was the average price of a train ticket from Lancaster to Washington. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 26 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £35.33 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

£87£58£29AugAug

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Lancaster to Washington DC will vary between £66 and £84. Planning a train trip to Washington within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Lancaster over the next 7 days is £68. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Monthly average prices

£83£66£50£33£17SONDJFMAMJJA

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Lancaster to Washington DC by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for February. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just £44 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Lancaster to Washington DC in December, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £75 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

£124£99£75£50£253020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Washington from Lancaster will be about £35.33 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Lancaster to Washington DC?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Lancaster to Washington. However, there are 16 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak164h 30m£75.58
  • Amtrak

    Amtrak

    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 16 Amtrak trains from Lancaster to Washington every day, as well as 15 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £66.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Lancaster 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.

How long is the train journey from Lancaster to Washington DC?

The distance between Lancaster and Washington DC is approximately 87 miles, or 141 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 24 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?

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Lancaster to Washington DC on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Sunday. Sunday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Lancaster at 05:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. 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 Lancaster to Washington DC?

There are 16 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 Washington DC to Lancaster.

City Information

Lancaster

Lancaster is a city in the Piedmont Region, between Baltimore and Philadelphia, primarily known for being a hub of Pennsylvania's Amish Country. One of Lancaster's most popular attractions is the Central Market, housed in an impressive structure built in 1889. Here, you can shop from over 60 vendors and sample their fresh fruits, cheeses, or baked treats and purchase handmade Amish goods unique to the area.

Lancaster also features a growing art scene, and Gallery Row downtown hosts some of the town's best boutiques, art galleries, and vintage shops. The Demuth Museum and Lancaster Museum of Art offer additional venues for culture vultures to check out. If you're visiting with kids, don't miss Dutch Wonderland just outside of town; this royal theme park includes 32 rides and activities catering to young children.

Lancaster features a vibrant food scene with plenty of selections and cuisines for even the most discerning foodies. Some local favourites include C'est La Vie, The Brasserie Restaurant & Bar, and Shot & Bottle.

Amtrak Pennsylvanian and Keystone Service trains stop in Lancaster and connect the town with Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and New York. OurBus offers intercity coach routes to Lancaster, as well. The nearest airport for passenger flights is in Philadelphia, about 60 miles away or just an hour on the train.

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, and follow that up with a drink (or two) at one of the many bars in the area.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Lancaster?

Main departure station: 53 E Mcgovern Ave

There is one train station in Lancaster.

All train stations in Lancaster:

  • 53 E Mcgovern Ave

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main arrival 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.

Train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

Related reading

Need a return trip from Washington DC to Lancaster?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from Lancaster

Continue by train from Washington DC

Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.

Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android