Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Birmingham
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Washington to Birmingham?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Washington to Birmingham.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$109.05 | Avg. Price$139.86 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration17h 57m | Duration18h 43m |
Trip Summary
On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Washington DC to Birmingham. The train trip from Washington DC to Birmingham is usually about 18 hours and 55 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 18 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 659 mi (1060 km) |
| Fastest train | 18h 20m |
| Lowest price | $136.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Crescent |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Washington DC to Birmingham?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Washington and Birmingham cost $136.00, on average. Since this route covers a considerable distance, tickets are typically a bit pricier than most train fares. Booking your trip at least 17 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $28.50 more.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Birmingham by month
Prices as travel date approaches
If you're looking to save on your train trip from Washington to Birmingham, book online with Wanderu at least 17 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $28.50 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
Which train should you take from Washington DC to Birmingham?
2 train services operate from Washington to Birmingham. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 18h 20m | $139.21 |
| Amtrak Crescent | 1 | 19h 15m | $200.75 |
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 Washington to Birmingham every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $136.
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 Birmingham take about 19 hours and 15 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $136.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington DC to Birmingham
The distance between Washington DC and Birmingham is approximately 659 miles, or 1060 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 55 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 18 hours and 20 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.
Trains from Washington DC to Birmingham are the most crowded on Friday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Washington DC at 6:00pm and arrives in Birmingham around 18 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Birmingham with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Birmingham 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.
Birmingham
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Birmingham may not be the capital of Alabama, but it does hold the crown as both the cultural and entertainment capital of the Cotton State. The second-most populous city, Birmingham was founded during the Reconstruction Period, which followed the American Civil War.
Quietly going about its business as an industrial powerhouse, producing much of America's iron and steel, Birmingham didn't enter the world's consciousness until the Civil Rights Movement one hundred years later. It’s one of the 8 iconic cities on our Martin Luther King, Jr. road trip, as it’s the city where Dr. King wrote his famous “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” When visiting, be sure to stop at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn more about the city’s civil rights history.
Today known as America's 'Magic City,' new life has been blown into downtown Birmingham in recent years. Its streets have been cleaned up, allowing the city's historical gems such as the Alabama Theater to shine once more both by day and by night.
The Birmingham Museum of Art contains the most extensive collection of artworks in the southeastern United States. It's connected to the nightlife districts of Five Points South, Lakeview, and Uptown by a series of charming tree-lined public squares. Close by Five Points South also lies Red Mountain's Vulcan Park, home to the world's largest cast-iron statue. It was made for the St. Louis World Fair of 1904.
Birmingham is an important regional hub linking the Deep South, the Appalachian Mountains, and Piedmont. Travelers can easily reach other noteworthy destinations in the U.S., including Dallas, Phoenix, and Montgomery, thanks to the hundreds of bus and train routes to and from Birmingham.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Washington DC?
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 Birmingham?
Image credit: Birmingham Photographer J.g.
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Intermodal Facility
Birmingham's Intermodal Facility is a modern station right in the heart of downtown. It is near the McWane Science Center and only a 10-minute walk to the University of Alabama. The Intermodal Facility is a hub for Amtrak trains, intercity buses, and MAX transit throughout Birmingham, so it's easy to transfer between travel modes all within the same station. Birmingham is a stop on Amtrak's Crescent Line, which runs from New York to New Orleans. The station has an onsite cafe, plus amenities like restrooms, seating, and vending machines.
All train stations in Birmingham:
Intermodal Facility
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