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Washington DC to Los Angeles train

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Washington DC - Los Angeles Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Washington DC to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Los Angeles usually takes 73 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 65 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance2294 mi (3692 km)
Fastest train65h 55m
Lowest price$204.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Washington to Los Angeles

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Celia

December 18, 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Yes 👍. Tips: Now I need my tecket ,pay for my return January 3.6.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Washington to Los Angeles was $324.74. Considering the distance between Washington DC and Los Angeles, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. 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 $326.15 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average prices by travel date

$930$620$310MarMar

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Los Angeles is expected to fluctuate between $290 and $928 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Los Angeles in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Washington is $290.

Monthly avg. prices

$575$460$345$230$115AMJJASONDJFM
Mark your calendar for February if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Washington DC to Los Angeles. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $419. If you're planning a trip from Washington DC to Los Angeles during May, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $564 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

$650$520$390$260$1303020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Washington to Los Angeles, book online with Wanderu at least 29 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $326.15 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Los Angeles?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Washington to Los Angeles. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak33d 1h 4m$431.53
  • 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 3 Amtrak trains from Washington to Los Angeles every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $188.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Washington DC to Los Angeles. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between Washington DC and Los Angeles is approximately 2294 miles, or 3692 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 73 hours and 3 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 65 hours and 55 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 Los Angeles are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. 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 3 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Los Angeles 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.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

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 Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Union Station

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

All train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

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Need a return trip from Los Angeles to Washington DC?

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