Cheap train tickets from Washington, DC to Wilmington

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Trip Summary

There are usually 35 daily train trips available from Washington DC to Wilmington. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Wilmington usually takes one hour and 26 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Acela train can make the trip in one hour and 14 minutes.

Distance
99 mi (159 km)
Fastest train
1h 14m
Lowest price
$11.00
Trains per day
35
Most frequent service
Amtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines
7

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

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Washington to Wilmington Train Schedule

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

There are usually 5 daily bus trips available from Washington, DC to Wilmington.

Train
Bus
Avg. Price$88.02Avg. Price$27.78Cheaper
Daily Trips35Daily Trips5
Duration1h 26mFasterDuration3h 16m
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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Washington to Wilmington (Based on 37 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Eileen

August 8, 2026 - Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional
Pros: I was able to purchase my ticket on line with your app. Cons: N/A Tips: Always be flexible There are outlets onboard to charge your devices.

5.0

STEPHANIE

December 10, 2025 - Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional
Pros: The train zipped through and got there faster than I expected, it was on time, and the conductor was very friendly and helpful. Cons: Nothing comes to mind.

5.0

Deborah

October 12, 2025 - Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional
Pros: On time, great customer service, assisted myself regarding my handicap needs Cons: Nothing

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.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Washington, DC to Wilmington was $51.19. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 23 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $79.26 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

$90$60$30AugSep

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Wilmington will cost between $35 and $84. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Wilmington by month

$150$120$90$60$30JFMAMJJASOND

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 $59. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Wilmington during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $126 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$150$120$90$60$3001020

By booking your train trip from Washington, DC to Wilmington on Wanderu at least 23 days ahead of time, you can save about $79.26 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

What train companies travel from Washington to Wilmington?

There are multiple trains that travel from Washington to Wilmington, including Amtrak Northeast Regional, Amtrak Acela, Amtrak Palmetto, Amtrak Vermonter. Here is what you should know about the 7 most popular train lines:

TRAINDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Northeast Regional201h 31m$63.74
Amtrak Acela111h 17m$132.24
Amtrak Palmetto11h 29m$115.55
Amtrak Vermonter11h 25m$59.86
Amtrak Crescent11h 38m$97.00
Amtrak Carolinian11h 21m$89.33
Amtrak11h 28m$19.50
  • 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, DC to Wilmington, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

  • 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 11 Acela trips from Washington, DC 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 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, DC 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 $115.55 on the Palmetto.

  • 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, DC to Wilmington every day, with prices starting from $11.

  • 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, DC to Wilmington take about 1 hours and 38 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $78.

  • 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, DC 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 $89.33, and the trip usually lasts around 1 hours and 21 minutes.

  • 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, DC to Wilmington every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $11.

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Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington to Wilmington

There are 35 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Washington DC to Wilmington. You can also take a train for your return trip from Wilmington to Washington DC. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to Wilmington for $19.

TRIPS PER DAY

35

DIRECT TRIPS

35

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 26 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 14 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

DISTANCE (MI)

99

DISTANCE (KM)

159

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 4:48am 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.

EARLIEST TRAIN

4:48am

LATEST TRAIN

10:00pm

Trains from Washington DC to Wilmington 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Saturday

City Information

Washington, DC

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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 does the train leave from in Washington?

Main departure station: Union Station

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

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:

  • Union Station

Where does the train arrive in Wilmington?

Main arrival station: Amtrak/SEPTA Station

Wilmington has one train station.

All train stations in Wilmington:

  • Amtrak/SEPTA Station

Need a return trip from Wilmington to Washington?

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