Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Los Angeles
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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 75 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 67 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 2294 mi (3692 km) |
| Fastest train | 67h 15m |
| Lowest price | $304.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
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Washington DC to Los Angeles Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Washington, DC to Los Angeles?
There are usually 9 daily bus trips available from Washington, DC to Los Angeles.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$627.89 | Avg. Price$329.90Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips9 |
Duration | Duration75h 33m | Duration69h 15mFaster |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Washington, DC to Los Angeles (Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
There are several train options that can take you from Washington DC to Los Angeles:
See more detailsWhat 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, DC to Los Angeles was $389.06. 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 $697.68 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Los Angeles by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Los Angeles will cost between $351 and $1084. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Los Angeles by month
Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Los Angeles 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 $455. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Los Angeles during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $843 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
By booking your train trip from Washington, DC to Los Angeles on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $697.68 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Washington DC to Los Angeles?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Washington, DC to Los Angeles. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 75h 33m | $627.89 |
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, DC to Los Angeles every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $304.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington DC to Los Angeles
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. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to Los Angeles for $144.
Trains per day
3
Direct trains
0
The distance between Washington DC and Los Angeles is approximately 2294 miles, or 3692 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 75 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 67 hours and 15 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.
Distance (mi)
2294
Distance (km)
3692
The earliest train departs Washington DC at 10:35am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:30pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
10:35am
Last train
6:30pm
Trains from Washington DC to Los Angeles are the most crowded on Monday. 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.
Busiest
Monday
Least crowded
Sunday
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?
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?
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
Need a return trip from Los Angeles to Washington DC?
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