Cheap train tickets from San Francisco to Washington DC
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to Washington?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from San Francisco to Washington.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price€189.74 | Avg. Price€326.57 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration3d 6h 44m | Duration3d 4h 40m |
Trip Summary
On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from San Francisco to Washington DC. The train trip from San Francisco to Washington DC is usually about 76 hours and 40 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 74 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 2435 mi (3919 km) |
| Fastest train | 74h 10m |
| Lowest price | €279.10 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from San Francisco to Washington DC?
The average price for a train ticket from San Francisco to Washington is €316.19, The lengthy distance traveled between San Francisco and Washington DC often means relatively more expensive train tickets. 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 €192.50 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from San Francisco to Washington on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about €192.50 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from San Francisco to Washington DC?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco to Washington. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 3d 4h 40m | €376.08 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from San Francisco to Washington every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €266.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Francisco to Washington DC
The distance between San Francisco and Washington DC is approximately 2435 miles, or 3919 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 76 hours and 40 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 74 hours and 10 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 San Francisco to Washington DC. 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 Saturday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves San Francisco at 6:00am and arrives in Washington DC around 74 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, 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 San Francisco.
City Information
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in San Francisco?
Image credit: 146109843@N05
Link to image attributionMain departure station: San Francisco, California
Behind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.
All train stations in San Francisco:
San Francisco, California
Where is the train station in Washington DC?
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.
All train stations in Washington DC:
Union Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Washington DC to San Francisco?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from San Francisco
- Train from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea
€52+
- Train from San Francisco to Davis
€30+
- Train from San Francisco to Napa
€23+
- Train from San Francisco to Redding
€56+
- San Francisco to Sacramento Train
€34+
- Train from San Francisco to San Diego
€71+
- Train from San Francisco to San Jose
€24+
- Train from San Francisco to Santa Cruz
€31+
- San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe
€67+
Continue by train from Washington DC
- Washington D.C. to Montreal
€138+
- Washington D.C. to Los Angeles
€404+
- Washington D.C. to Newark
€43+
- Washington D.C. to Atlanta Train
€156+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Chicago
€134+
- Washington D.C. to Boston
€174+
- Washington D.C. to Baltimore Train
€12+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Charlotte
€87+
- Washington D.C. to Newark
€105+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New York
€105+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia
€60+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh
€129+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Providence
€173+
- Washington D.C. to Nashville Train
€247+
- Washington D.C. to Charlottesville Train
€29+
- Washington D.C. to Norfolk Train
€40+
- Washington D.C. to Richmond Train
€23+
- Washington D.C. to Williamsburg Train
€33+
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. 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.