Cheap train tickets from Washington, DC to Selma

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Washington DC to Selma. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Selma usually takes 5 hours and 29 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Palmetto train can make the trip in 5 hours and 6 minutes.

Distance
243 mi (391 km)
Fastest train
5h 6m
Lowest price
$50.00
Trains per day
2
Most frequent service
Amtrak Carolinian
Train lines
3

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Washington to Selma Train Schedule

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Washington, DC to Selma was $54.06. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $75.29 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

$75$50$25AugSep

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Selma will cost between $52 and $70. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Selma by month

$125$100$75$50$25JFMAMJJASOND

Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Selma 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 $59. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Selma during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $102 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 Selma on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $75.29 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

What train companies travel from Washington to Selma?

There are multiple trains that travel from Washington to Selma, including Amtrak Carolinian, Amtrak Palmetto, Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular train lines:

TRAINDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Carolinian15h 22m$78.26
Amtrak Palmetto15h 6m$68.91
Amtrak16h 12m$66.91
  • 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 Selma, 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 $78.26, and the trip usually lasts around 5 hours and 22 minutes.

  • 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 Selma 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 $68.91 on the Palmetto.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington to Selma

There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Selma. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice. You can also take a train for your return trip from Selma to Washington DC.

TRIPS PER DAY

3

DIRECT TRIPS

2

The distance between Washington DC and Selma is approximately 243 miles, or 391 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 29 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 6 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)

243

DISTANCE (KM)

391

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 12:15pm while the last train of the day leaves at 1:05pm. 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

12:15pm

LATEST TRAIN

1:05pm

Trains from Washington DC to Selma 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.

MOST CROWDED

Monday

LEAST CROWDED

Sunday

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.

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 Selma?

Main arrival station: 500 E Railroad St

Selma has one train station.

All train stations in Selma:

  • 500 E Railroad St

Need a return trip from Selma to Washington?

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