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Washington DC to Richmond train

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Washington DC - Richmond Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

11 trains operate daily from Washington DC to Richmond. The train trip from Washington DC to Richmond is usually about 3 hours and 49 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Northeast Regional train can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 3 minutes.

Distance97 mi (156 km)
Fastest train2h 3m
Lowest price$16.00
Trains per day13
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines4

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Washington to Richmond

(Based on 51 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Zariah

January 20, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Palmetto

Pros: quick, easy, convenient. Cons: sometimes it's a little unclear which cars are coach. Tips: book ahead for even better deals.

5.0

Tene'sha

January 15, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: I enjoyed being able to ride the train for the first time and viewing the beautiful snowy weather through the window as we passed from Washington D.C. to Richmond, Virginia. The train was clean, quiet, and peaceful and enough for me to read my book. Cons: Nothing, I enjoyed as is. Tips: Bring a few snacks and hydration.

4.0

Dana

November 17, 2023- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: I liked that the train was relatively empty and the ticket was cheap. Cons: People coughing nonstop it’s disgusting. You need to bring back enforced masking unless eating or drinking and also make the quiet car rules stricter, ban phone calls on the rest of the train. Tips: If you’re coughing then why are you on the train? Put a mask on. Why do you think it’s okay to talk on the phone on the train????

4.0

LaTricia

October 26, 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: I enjoy the train to Richmond. Very relaxing & quiet. Very helpful staff with my luggage. Cons: N/a. Tips: Book in advance.

5.0

Edward

October 25, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak Carolinian

Very relaxing

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Washington to Richmond was $43.16. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $36.71 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average prices by travel date

$90$60$30AprApr

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Richmond will cost between $33 and $80. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly avg. prices

$100$80$60$40$20MJJASONDJFMA
Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Richmond often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $50. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Richmond during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $76 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

$75$60$45$30$153020100

Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Washington to Richmond. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 29 days before departure, you can save around $36.71. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Richmond?

There are 4 train lines with service from Washington to Richmond. Amtrak Northeast Regional is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 7 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Carolinian12h 20m$44.67
Amtrak Northeast Regional74h 21m$63.66
Amtrak Palmetto12h 12m$38.05
Amtrak Silver Service22h 13m$64.87

  • 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 Richmond, 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 2 hours and 20 minutes.

  • 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 7 daily train trips from Washington to Richmond, 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 Richmond 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 Richmond start from $36 and the average train journey lasts about 2 hours and 13 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance between Washington DC and Richmond is approximately 97 miles, or 156 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 49 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 3 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Trains departing from Washington DC to Richmond tend to have the most passengers on Monday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Monday. 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 Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 11 scheduled trains on most days. 13 of these are direct connections to Richmond. 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 Richmond 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.

Richmond

As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travelers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.

Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favorites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.

Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.

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

  • Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St

  • South Station

  • Union Station

  • Providence Station - 100 Gaspee St

  • MARC Station

  • Amtrak - MARC Station (BWI)

  • Penn Station - 1500 N Charles St

  • 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

  • NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

  • Newark Intl Airport

  • Newark Penn Station

  • Amtrak/SEPTA Station

  • Amtrak/Metro North Station

  • Metro-North Station - 1 Railroad Plz

Where is the train station in Richmond?

7519 Staples Mill Rd - RICAMT1-0

Image credit: Eli Christman

Link to image attribution
7519 Staples Mill Rd - RICAMT1-1

Image credit: Avinash Kunnath

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 7519 Staples Mill Rd

Located around 5 miles north of Richmond’s city center, the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road is Amtrak’s busiest transport hub in the Southeast Region. The station was built in 1975 to replace the downtown Main Street Station. It now serves as an important terminal for routes traveling up and down the American East. Passengers can venture north onboard the Northeast Regional service—Amtrak’s busiest route—to Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. Richmond’s Amtrak Station also offers several southward connections to vacation destinations along the East Coast in [South Carolina(/train-tickets/us-sc/), Georgia, and Florida. In addition, the GRTC bus service is available from the station for transport into downtown Richmond.

All train stations in Richmond:

  • 7519 Staples Mill Rd

  • 1500 E Main St

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