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There are 2 daily trains from Washington DC to Roanoke. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Roanoke usually takes around 5 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Northeast Regional train can make the trip in 4 hours and 58 minutes.
| Distance | 194 mi (313 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 58m |
| Lowest price | €22.62 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Northeast Regional |
| Train lines | 1 |
Overall score for trains from Washington to Roanoke
(Based on 12 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Relaxing. Cons: can think of any improvements. Tips: High recommendation - safe, affordable and enjoyable.
5.0
Pros: Price and convenience. Cons: I have nothing to complain about. Tips: Give them a try they are great and they are very expedient.
5.0
Pros: Scenic view. Cons: The intercom/speaker system is barely audible and static.
5.0
Pros: Train left on time and arrived on time. Cons: Faster trains. Tips: Bring a neck pillow.
The average price for a train ticket from Washington to Roanoke is €28.10, This is one of the best deals we’ve seen for train fares recently. By booking your trip at least 28 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay €47.74 more.
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Roanoke will vary between €23 and €80. Planning a train trip to Roanoke within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Washington over the next 7 days is €25. 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.
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Washington to Roanoke. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 28 days before departure, you can save around €47.74. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Amtrak Northeast Regional is the one and only train line which connects Washington to Roanoke. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Northeast Regional | 2 | 5h 29m | €48.38 |
The Northeast Regional is Amtrak’s passenger rail service that runs between Boston, MA and Virginia Beach, VA, connecting over 50 cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. While the line’s downtown-to-downtown train service makes traveling between the biggest cities in the Northeast convenient and hassle-free, the train’s amenities make the journey comfortable and relaxing as well. Amtrak passengers can enjoy large seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as free WiFi and clean bathrooms. With 2 daily train trips from Washington to Roanoke, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.
The distance between Washington DC and Roanoke is approximately 194 miles, or 313 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 28 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 58 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Washington DC to Roanoke on Monday. Tickets for Monday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Washington DC at 08:00 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.
Trains leave the station in Washington DC twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to Roanoke with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to get off or switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Roanoke to 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, 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 transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
The idyllic city of Roanoke sits against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's the site of the famous Appalachian Trail, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, and Smith Mountain Lake. Fun and adventure are indeed the best things that Roanoke has to offer, especially if you start your visit at the iconic Roanoke Star, the largest man-made neon light that gets illuminated every night.
The Blue Ridge is one of Roanoke's major tourist attractions. Experience the Blue Ridge Day tour package to fully explore the area's history, heritage, culture, and entertainment. Make sure that your adventure includes The Crooked Road, Virginia Museum of Transportation, and Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, among others.
To enjoy Roanoke's nightlife, try doing the Downtown Roanoke Bar Crawl. That's how you get to enjoy exquisite craft beers from the city's finest breweries. If you want to shop, there's a wide selection of antiques and farmer's produce for sale in the Blue Ridge area.
Getting around Roanoke is easy with the Valley Metro bus line. This bus service covers not just the City of Roanoke but Vinton and Salem as well. There's also the Star Line Trolley that connects Downtown Roanoke and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. To travel to other exciting destinations, Amtrak trains and Jefferson Lines, OurBus, and Wanda Coach buses provide service to cities including Richmond, Atlanta, and New York.
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.
Union Station
NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station
Amtrak - MARC Station (BWI)
Newark Penn Station
Penn Station - 1500 N Charles St
30th St Station - 2955 Market St
Newark Intl Airport
Amtrak/SEPTA Station
72 S Clinton Ave
100 Middlesex Essex Tpke
State Street Station
MARC Station
Union Station
525 Water St
Union Station - 1 Union Pl
Image credit: Joe Ross
Link to image attributionThe Roanoke Greyhound Station is right in the heart of the city- not too far from the Amtrak station. The bus stop itself is basically just a waiting room, but it does offer indoor seating and has a few vending machines if you want to stock up on snacks. For a more substantial meal, several restaurants and fast-food classics like McDonald's are within easy walking distance.
55 Norfolk Ave SW
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