5.0
Pros: My trip was a easy ride that I don't feel like reaching my destination. It was a quite a good experience. I love where beat of my trip. Cons: Can't think of anything at the moment. Tips: Not yet!!
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Trip Summary
You can pick from 5 daily train trips between St Louis and Madison. The average train journey from St Louis to Madison takes 11 hours, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 9 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 310 mi (499 km) |
| Fastest train | 9h 5m |
| Lowest price | €60.31 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for trains from St Louis to Madison
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from St Louis to Madison?
Over the past month, a train ticket between St Louis and Madison cost €62.39, on average. Booking your trip at least 25 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around €20.02 more.
Monthly average prices
Mark your calendar for January if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from St Louis to Madison. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of €67. If you're planning a trip from St Louis to Madison during August, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about €93 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Madison from St Louis will be about €20.02 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from St Louis to Madison?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects St Louis to Madison. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 11h 0m | €75.02 |
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 5 Amtrak trains from St Louis to Madison every day, as well as 10 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €60.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the train is the main method of transportation from St Louis to Madison, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.
The distance between St Louis and Madison is approximately 310 miles, or 499 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 5 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.
Trains departing from St Louis to Madison tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs St Louis at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 08:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 5 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 Madison to St Louis.
City Information
St Louis
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
Madison
Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.
As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.
The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
Station Information
Where is the train station in St Louis?
Image credit: Chris Yunker
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Gateway Station opened in 2008 to consolidate St Louis’ transportation services into one central hub. The station’s award-winning design includes a pedestrian walkway with expansive colored glass windows overlooking the train tracks. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown St Louis, the station is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and hotels and is just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and the iconic Gateway Arch. Amenities inside the station include free Wifi, a food court, and a lounge for Amtrak’s First Class passengers. Gateway Station is a major stop for intercity bus service, several Amtrak train lines, and the city’s MetroLink which can connect you with the St Louis Lambert International Airport in just 30 minutes.
All train stations in St Louis:
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Where is the train station in Madison?
Image credit: Corey Coyle
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
The Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a parking lot where travelers can catch local Madison Metro buses throughout the city, as well as intercity buses on Amtrak Thruway heading to destinations like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee. For those parking before riding, the lot has both daily and overnight parking available for free. Although there is no station building, bus shelters line the bus lanes, and there is easy access to the next-door gas station and Arby’s, where you can grab a bite or hang out indoors before the bus arrives. The Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a few miles outside of downtown Madison, but several convenience stores, restaurants, and hotels are still in the direct vicinity.
Train stations in Madison:
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
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