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There are 13 daily trains from Lancaster to Washington DC. Traveling by train from Lancaster to Washington DC usually takes around 4 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 87 mi (141 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 15m |
| Lowest price | £28.27 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Overall score for trains from Lancaster, PA to Washington, DC
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
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
staff was very helpful and nice.
staff was very helpful and nice.
In the last month, £43.21 was the average price of a train ticket from Lancaster, PA to Washington, DC. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 27 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £37.31 more than that for a same-day booking.
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Lancaster to Washington DC will vary between £34 and £82. 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 £36. 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.
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 August. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just £46 – 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 £67 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.
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Washington from Lancaster will be about £37.31 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Washington, District of Columbia. However, there are 13 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 13 | 4h 12m | £56.37 |
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 13 Amtrak trains from Lancaster to Washington every day, as well as 15 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £28.
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 12 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 15 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 Lancaster 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 traveling on Friday 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 Lancaster at 05:00 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 Lancaster to Washington DC?
There are 13 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. If you're not not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Lancaster to Washington DC for £27.55.
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.
There is one train station in Lancaster.
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.
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