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Trip Summary
You can pick from 8 daily train trips between Madison and St Louis. The average train journey from Madison to St Louis takes 11 hours and 5 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 9 hours and 16 minutes.
| Distance | 310 mi (499 km) |
| Fastest train | 9h 16m |
| Lowest price | €60.31 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Madison to St Louis?
The average price for a train ticket from Madison to St Louis is €68.87, 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 €22.58 more.
Average prices by travel date
For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Madison to St Louis will range from €63 to €90. If you're planning to travel by train to St Louis in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Madison you can find in the next 7 days is €64. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.
Monthly average prices
Ticket prices for the train from Madison to St Louis often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only €69,
If you're thinking of traveling from Madison to St Louis during September, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €95 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in September, is to book your trip well in advance.
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 28 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to St Louis from Madison will be about €22.58 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Madison to St Louis?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Madison to St Louis. However, there are 8 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 8 | 11h 6m | €74.96 |
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 8 Amtrak trains from Madison to St Louis every day, as well as 16 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €60.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Madison and St Louis is approximately 310 miles, or 499 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 5 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 16 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.
Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Madison to St Louis. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Madison at 02:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 13:00. 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 8 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 St Louis to Madison.
City Information
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.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Madison?
Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
There are two stations in Madison where you can board the train to St Louis.
All train stations in Madison:
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
Where is the train station in St Louis?
Image credit: Chris Yunker
Link to image attributionMain arrival 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.
Train stations in St Louis:
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from St Louis to Madison?
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