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Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Wilmington

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Washington DC to Wilmington Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Washington to Wilmington?

There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Washington to Wilmington.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$24.97
Avg. Price
$71.97
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
3
Daily Trips
32
Duration
Duration
3h 25m
Duration
1h 25m

Trip Summary

34 trains operate daily from Washington DC to Wilmington. The train trip from Washington DC to Wilmington is usually about one hour and 25 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Acela train can get you there in as little as one hour and 8 minutes.

Distance99 mi (159 km)
Fastest train1h 8m
Lowest price$11.00
Trains per day36
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines7

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Washington to Wilmington

(Based on 34 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

yaw

July 4, 2025- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Fast paced. Cons: N/A. Tips: Try it.

4.0

Chyna

May 10, 2025- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: It was comfortable and on time. Cons: n/a. Tips: Make sure to be on time.

5.0

Solomon

April 25, 2025- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Timely in going. Cons: Bus driver.

4.0

Robert

October 29, 2024- Vacation

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Wilmington is not traveler-friendly. Hotels overpriced and run-down. No place to eat outside of hotel (DoubleTree). Streets dark and everything shuts down at 5:00.

4.0

Vasista

August 7, 2024- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Timings and communication.

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What is the price of a train ticket from Washington DC to Wilmington?

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Washington to Wilmington was $61.37. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Wilmington if you book your train tickets at least 28 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $48.51.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Wilmington by travel date

$120$80$40DecDec

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Wilmington will range from $39 to $116. If you're planning to travel by train to Wilmington in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Washington you can find in the next 7 days is $59. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Wilmington by month

$100$80$60$40$20JFMAMJJASOND
Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Wilmington 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 $51. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Wilmington during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $80 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$253020100

By booking your train trip from Washington to Wilmington on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $48.51 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Wilmington?

There are 7 train lines with service from Washington to Wilmington. Amtrak Northeast Regional is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 20 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Acela101h 15m$127.52
Amtrak Carolinian11h 21m$106.51
Amtrak Crescent11h 35m$116.46
Amtrak Northeast Regional201h 31m$67.57
Amtrak Palmetto11h 29m$109.44
Amtrak Silver Service11h 33m$208.69
Amtrak Vermonter11h 26m$64.52

  • The Acela is Amtrak’s flagship high-speed rail service. Connecting 15 cities along the Northeast Corridor of the United States, the Acela is Amtrak’s fastest running passenger train, developing a speed of up to 82.2 mph. Acela trains are equipped with free high-speed internet, power outlets and extra comfortable seats. In addition, all Acela passengers have access to the line’s signature Corridor Café where they can unwind and enjoy a freshly prepared meal with a glass of wine. There are 10 Acela trips from Washington to Wilmington every day, including the weekend. As it is Amtrak’s most premium service, the average Acela train ticket may cost more than other train lines.

  • The Amtrak Carolinian is a passenger train service which connects New York City and Washington, DC to some of the most charming destinations in North Carolina. The Carolinian runs an average of 1 trips per day between Washington and Wilmington, all of which include seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available in the Café car. The average Amtrak Carolinian ticket price for this route is , and the trip usually lasts around 1 hours and 21 minutes.

  • The Crescent is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs from New York to New Orleans by way of Atlanta. As an overnight service, the Crescent offers a variety of amenities and accommodation options. There’s also a café car where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals and a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages. Like all Amtrak trains, the Crescent offers free WiFi, power outlets and extra legroom. Train trips from Washington to Wilmington take about 1 hours and 35 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $53.

  • 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 20 daily train trips from Washington to Wilmington, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

  • The Palmetto is an Amtrak train service that runs a total of 829 miles from New York City to Savannah, GA, connecting 20 cities from the Northeast to the Southeast along the way. Traveling from Washington to Wilmington is comfortable and relaxing on the Palmetto, thanks to the train’s free WiFi, power outlets, and seating with extra legroom. You can pick from 1 daily departures along this route, with train ticket pricing at an average of on the Palmetto.

  • The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Washington to Wilmington start from $74 and the average train journey lasts about 1 hours and 33 minutes.

  • The Vermonter is an Amtrak passenger train that connects St. Albans, VT to Washington, D.C. by way of New York City. The journey is renowned for the beautiful scenic views that it presents as it passes through the Green Mountains and the Berkshires. Aboard the Vermonter, passengers can enjoy free WiFi, power outlets at every seat and extra legroom. You can also grab a bite to eat or enjoy a refreshing beverage from the train’s café. There are 1 Vermonter trains traveling from Washington to Wilmington every day, with prices starting from $22.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington DC to Wilmington

The distance between Washington DC and Wilmington is approximately 99 miles, or 159 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour 25 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 8 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Trains departing from Washington DC to Wilmington tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. 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 Washington DC at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00pm. 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 34 scheduled trains on most days. 36 of these are direct connections to Wilmington. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Wilmington to Washington DC.

City Information

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.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a major city in Delaware, established at the site of the first Swedish settlement in North America. The charming city, at the confluence of the Brandywine River and Christina River, offers easy connections to the lush countryside of Brandywine Valley. Thanks to the venerable du Pont family, who established the DuPont Company in Wilmington in 1802, the city is filled with grand estates and magnificent gardens for visitors to enjoy. The Hagley Museum & Library is the ultimate example. The expansive complex includes the first home of the du Pont family, powder yards from the company's initial gunpowder mill, and a Renaissance-style garden complete with terraces.

To dive deeper into the city's history, check out the Fort Christina State Park, the site of Wilmington's original Swedish settlement over 400 years ago. Other popular attractions include the Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Zoo.

Wilmington is easy to access from most of the mid-Atlantic region and is located between Philadelphia and Washington. In 2011, the city's Amtrak train station was renamed the Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station in honor of rail enthusiast Joe Biden, who often commuted via Amtrak from Wilmington to Washington during his time as a Senator. Buses from Wilmington also connect to cities like New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Since the regional Wilmington Airport does not offer civilian flights, travelers can easily take a bus to the airport in Philadelphia for any air travel out of the area.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main departure 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

Where is the train station in Wilmington?

Main arrival station: Amtrak/SEPTA Station

Wilmington has one train station.

All train stations in Wilmington:

  • Amtrak/SEPTA Station

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Wilmington by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Wilmington to Washington DC?

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