Cheap train tickets from San Jose 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:
San Jose to Washington DC Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Jose to Washington?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from San Jose to Washington.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PricePLN 969.86 | Avg. PricePLN 1,853.24 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration3d 6h 57m | Duration3d 5h 27m |
Trip Summary
You can pick from 2 daily train trips between San Jose and Washington DC. The average train journey from San Jose to Washington DC takes 78 hours and 1 minute, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 75 hours and 52 minutes.
| Distance | 2415 mi (3887 km) |
| Fastest train | 75h 52m |
| Lowest price | PLN 1,364.10 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |

Price trends for trains from San Jose to Washington DC
Average train ticket prices from San Jose to Washington DC by month
Which train should you take from San Jose to Washington DC?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Jose to Washington. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 3d 6h 1m | PLN 2,073.85 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from San Jose to Washington every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from PLN 1,364.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Jose to Washington DC
The distance between San Jose and Washington DC is approximately 2415 miles, or 3887 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 78 hours and 1 minute, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 75 hours and 52 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 Jose 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 Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs San Jose at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00am. 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 San Jose twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. 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 change 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 Jose.
City Information
San Jose

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash
San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
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 Jose?

Image credit: SPUR
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transportation system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for bus transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound buses. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travelers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.
All train stations in San Jose:
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
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 Jose?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from San Jose
- Train from San Jose to Auburn
PLN 161+
- San Jose to Berkeley
PLN 52+
- Train from San Jose to Emeryville
PLN 71+
- Train from San Jose to Fairfield
PLN 101+
- San Jose to Fresno
PLN 162+
- Train from San Jose to Los Angeles
PLN 337+
- San Jose to Oakland
PLN 58+
- San Jose to Oxnard
PLN 345+
- Train from San Jose to Sacramento
PLN 149+
- San Jose to San Diego Train
PLN 455+
- Train from San Jose to San Francisco
PLN 109+
- San Jose to San Juan Capistrano Train
PLN 429+
- San Jose to Santa Rosa
PLN 134+
- Train from San Jose to Suisun
PLN 101+
- Train from San Jose to Orlando
PLN 3,235+
- Train from San Jose to Eugene
PLN 478+
- Train from San Jose to Portland
PLN 868+
- Train from San Jose to Dallas
PLN 1,596+
Continue by train from Washington DC
- Washington D.C. to Hartford
PLN 649+
- Washington D.C. to Dover Train
PLN 383+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Palatka
PLN 830+
- Washington D.C. to Savannah
PLN 553+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Indianapolis
PLN 812+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New Orleans
PLN 1,084+
- Washington D.C. to Boston
PLN 823+
- Washington D.C. to Baltimore Train
PLN 61+
- Washington D.C. to Bangor Train
PLN 909+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Winston-Salem
PLN 404+
- Washington D.C. to Iselin Train
PLN 325+
- Washington D.C. to New Rochelle Train
PLN 498+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New York
PLN 306+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia
PLN 332+
- Washington D.C. to State College Train
PLN 501+
- Washington D.C. to Austin Train
PLN 1,926+
- Washington D.C. to Richmond Train
PLN 172+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Roanoke
PLN 105+
Check out these popular routes
- London to Paris
PLN 943+
- Train from Los Angeles to San Diego
PLN 138+
- Train from San Diego to Los Angeles
PLN 137+
- New Haven to New York Train
PLN 127+
- Miami to Tampa Train
PLN 153+
- Train from Tampa to Miami
PLN 153+
- Portland to Seattle
PLN 2,314+
- New York to New Haven Train
PLN 155+
- New York to Chicago Train
PLN 1,180+
- Train from New York to Boston
PLN 468+
- Train from New York to Providence
PLN 518+
- Train from Portland to Seattle
PLN 179+
- Train from Seattle to Los Angeles
PLN 792+
- Seattle to Portland Train
PLN 1,141+
- Train from Seattle to Philadelphia
PLN 2,599+
- Train from Seattle to Vancouver
PLN 186+

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.
- Train Tickets
- United States
- District of Columbia
- Washington
- San Jose to Washington DC






