Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Louisville

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Washington DC to Louisville. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Louisville usually takes 1 day, 3 hours, and 35 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 1 day, 2 hours, and 3 minutes.

Distance: 473 mi (761 km)
Fastest train: 26h 3m
Lowest price: RON 646.95
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Washington DC to Louisville Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

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

There are usually 6 daily bus trips available from Washington DC to Louisville.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceRON 979.48	Avg. PriceRON 729.76Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips6
Duration	Duration27h 35m	Duration20h 26mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Washington DC to Louisville:

Amtrak tickets: RON 647 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Washington DC to Louisville cost about RON 779 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 540.70 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Louisville will cost between RON 781 and RON 1,462. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Louisville by month

Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Louisville often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only RON 949. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Louisville during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 1,217 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Washington DC to Louisville on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 540.70 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Louisville?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Washington DC to Louisville. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	27h 35m	RON 979.47

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 is 1 Amtrak train from Washington DC to Louisville every day, as well as 1 trip on the weekends, with prices starting from RON 646.95.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington DC to Louisville

While the train is the main method of transportation from Washington DC to Louisville, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Louisville to Washington DC. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to Louisville for RON 470.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Washington DC and Louisville is approximately 473 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day, 3 hours, and 35 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 day, 2 hours, and 3 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)

473

Distance (km)

761

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Washington DC at 11:39 AM and arrives in Louisville around 26 hours later.

First train

11:39am

Last train

3:57pm

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

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Monday

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.

Louisville

A mecca for fans of sports, Louisville holds the honor of being the birthplace of many sports legends. Even non-sports fans should not miss out on the Muhammad Ali Center, where tourists can learn more about the life and legacy of the legendary boxer. Aside from permanent galleries dedicated to the boxer himself, the museum also features temporary exhibitions on topics such as race and gender equality. Another top highlight from the city is Churchill Downs, where the famous Kentucky Derby is hosted. Contrary to what people might imagine, the racing track is actually quite idyllic, and if there is one place you must visit in Louisville, this is probably the one. If you are looking for a unique experience, head towards the Louisville Mega Cavern. This cavern system was created out of a 19th-century limestone quarry and it features the world’s only underground zip line course.

Three things dominate the food scene in Louisville: barbecue, bourbon, and mint juleps. Some local favorites are Mark’s Feed Store and Feast BBQ. If you are looking for the finest bourbon, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is certainly a good call.

The central bus station in Louisville is the Bus Terminal on W Muhammad Ali Blvd, connecting the city with near and far destinations such as Cincinnati, Chicago and Nashville. There are no train tracks that run through the city. However, the city is still a part of Amtrak’s network via the carrier’s Thruway bus line. The Louisville International Airport fulfills air services for the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

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 DC:

Union Station

Where is the train station in Louisville?

Main arrival station: Louisville Bus Station

The Louisville Bus Terminal, located at 720 W Muhammad Ali Blvd, serves interstate Greyhound bus services. The station is equipped with restrooms, vending machines, and indoor seating. The station also has an adjoining cafeteria in case vending machine snacks aren't enough to satisfy your hunger. In addition, there is also a customer service and ticket kiosk where station staff can answer any questions you may have. The station is located in Downtown Louisville, only a short walk from the city's most exciting amenities and several nearby restaurants and convenience stores.

All train stations in Louisville:

Louisville Bus Station

Need a return trip from Louisville to Washington DC?

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