Cheap train tickets from Washington, DC to St Louis
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Washington DC to St Louis. Traveling by train from Washington DC to St Louis usually takes 31 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 28 hours and 28 minutes.
| Distance | 709 mi (1141 km) |
| Fastest train | 28h 28m |
| Lowest price | $158.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Download our free app!
Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
4.8 Rating
5k Reviews
4.5 Rating
4.8k Reviews
Washington to St Louis Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Washington to St Louis?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Washington, DC to St Louis.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$295.32 | Avg. Price$204.77Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration31h 43m | Duration31h 39mFaster |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Washington to St Louis (Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
4.0
5.0
There are several train options that can take you from Washington to St Louis:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Washington DC to St Louis?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Washington, DC to St Louis was $221.25. Considering the distance between Washington DC and St Louis, 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 $263.28 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to St Louis by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to St Louis will cost between $154 and $550. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to St Louis by month
Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to St Louis 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 $203. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to St Louis during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $367 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
By booking your train trip from Washington, DC to St Louis on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $263.28 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Washington to St Louis?
There are multiple trains that travel from Washington to St Louis, including Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 31h 43m | $295.32 |
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 5 Amtrak trains from Washington, DC to St Louis every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $158.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington to St Louis
There are 5 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 St Louis to Washington DC. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to St Louis for $105.
TRIPS PER DAY
5
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The distance between Washington DC and St Louis is approximately 709 miles, or 1141 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 31 hours and 43 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 28 hours and 28 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)
709
DISTANCE (KM)
1141
The earliest train departs Washington DC at 10:35am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:57pm. 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
10:35am
LATEST TRAIN
3:57pm
Trains from Washington DC to St Louis 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
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.
St Louis
St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
Station Information
Where does the train leave from in Washington?
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:
- Union Station
Where does the train arrive in St Louis?
Main arrival station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Gateway Station opened in 2008 to consolidate St Louis’ transportation services into one central hub. The station’s award-winning design includes a pedestrian walkway with expansive colored glass windows overlooking the train tracks. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown St Louis, the station is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and hotels and is just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and the iconic Gateway Arch. Amenities inside the station include free Wifi, a food court, and a lounge for Amtrak’s First Class passengers. Gateway Station is a major stop for intercity bus service, several Amtrak train lines, and the city’s MetroLink which can connect you with the St Louis Lambert International Airport in just 30 minutes.
All train stations in St Louis:
- Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Need a return trip from St Louis to Washington?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Washington
- Washington, DC to Greenville Train$107+
- Washington, DC to Harpers Ferry Train$24+
- Washington, DC to Philadelphia Train$64+
- Washington, DC to Baltimore Train$22+
- Washington, DC to Jacksonville Train$139+
- Washington, DC to New Rochelle Train$91+
- Washington, DC to Woodbridge Train$11+
- Washington, DC to New York Train$110+
- Washington, DC to Houston Train$245+
- Washington, DC to Milwaukee Train$245+
- Washington, DC to Martinsburg Train$26+
- Washington, DC to Boston Train$177+
- Washington, DC to Memphis Train$266+
- Washington, DC to Atlantic City Train
- Washington, DC to Los Angeles Train$388+
- Washington, DC to Fort Lauderdale Train$168+
- Washington, DC to Fayetteville Train$83+
- Washington, DC to Richmond Train$28+
Continue by train from St Louis
- St Louis to Independence Train$35+
- St Louis to Naperville Train$60+
- St Louis to Quincy Train$79+
- St Louis to Macomb Train$139+
- St Louis to Kansas City Train$61+
- St Louis to Syracuse Train$204+
- St Louis, MO to Vancouver, WA Train$425+
- St Louis to Grand Rapids Train$96+
- St Louis, MO to Burlington, IA Train$103+
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu's simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.