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Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Richmond

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Washington DC to Richmond Train Schedule

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

There are usually 16 daily bus trips available from Washington to Richmond.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$30.01
Avg. Price
$32.35
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
16
Daily Trips
11
Duration
Duration
2h 3m
Duration
2h 21m

Trip Summary

There are usually 10 daily train trips available from Washington DC to Richmond. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Richmond usually takes 2 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Northeast Regional train can make the trip in 2 hours and 3 minutes.

Distance97 mi (156 km)
Fastest train2h 3m
Lowest price$13.00
Trains per day13
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines5

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Washington to Richmond

(Based on 58 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Charlotte

October 1, 2024- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: EVERYTHING. Cons: NOTHING. Tips: Bring headphones!

5.0

Verna

May 17, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Seating. Cons: Respond in timely manner.

5.0

Zariah

January 20, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Palmetto

Pros: quick, easy, convenient. Cons: sometimes it's a little unclear which cars are coach. Tips: book ahead for even better deals.

5.0

Tene'sha

January 15, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: I enjoyed being able to ride the train for the first time and viewing the beautiful snowy weather through the window as we passed from Washington D.C. to Richmond, Virginia. The train was clean, quiet, and peaceful and enough for me to read my book. Cons: Nothing, I enjoyed as is. Tips: Bring a few snacks and hydration.

4.0

Dana

November 17, 2023- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: I liked that the train was relatively empty and the ticket was cheap. Cons: People coughing nonstop it’s disgusting. You need to bring back enforced masking unless eating or drinking and also make the quiet car rules stricter, ban phone calls on the rest of the train. Tips: If you’re coughing then why are you on the train? Put a mask on. Why do you think it’s okay to talk on the phone on the train????

Washington DC to Richmond Route Map

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Washington to Richmond was $22.00. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 27 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $13.66 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

$45$30$15FebFeb

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Richmond will cost between $18 and $40. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Richmond by month

$75$60$45$30$15MAMJJASONDJF
Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Richmond 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 $48. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Richmond during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $72 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

$75$60$45$30$153020100

By booking your train trip from Washington to Richmond on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about $13.66 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Richmond?

There are 5 train lines with service from Washington to Richmond. Amtrak Northeast Regional is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 6 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak12h 10m$24.41
Amtrak Carolinian12h 19m$38.49
Amtrak Northeast Regional62h 25m$22.31
Amtrak Palmetto12h 12m$34.97
Amtrak Silver Service12h 15m$54.94

  • 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 to Richmond every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $18.

  • 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 and Richmond, 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 , and the trip usually lasts around 2 hours and 19 minutes.

  • 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 6 daily train trips from Washington to Richmond, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

  • 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 to Richmond 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 on the Palmetto.

  • The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Washington to Richmond start from $48 and the average train journey lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

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

Amtrak recommends arriving between 30 and 45 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart. If you aren’t familiar with the station, plan to have your luggage checked, or want to grab something to eat from the station prior boarding, plan to get there even earlier.
Yes, there is a direct train that goes from Washington, DC, to Richmond, Virginia. In fact, Amtrak offers at least 10 daily direct trips between the two cities. Amtrak has two stations in Richmond where you may be dropped off. Most trains stop at the Staple Mills Road Station, which is about 5 miles away from downtown Richmond. The other stop is Main Street Station, which is right in the heart of Richmond.
Typically, flying from Washington DC to Richmond is the overall fastest option, with a nonstop flight taking about an hour. However, plane tickets for this route regularly cost more than $300. A more affordable option is to take the train, which runs about 2 hours and 10 minutes, and costs an average of $33.
The distance between Washington DC and Richmond is approximately 97 miles, or 156 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 21 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 3 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Trains from Washington DC to Richmond are the most crowded on Saturday. 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.

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 10 scheduled trains on most days. 13 of these are direct connections to Richmond. 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 Richmond to Washington DC.

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.

Richmond

As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travelers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.

Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favorites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.

Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

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 Richmond?

7519 Staples Mill Rd - RICAMT1-0

Image credit: Eli Christman

Link to image attribution
7519 Staples Mill Rd - RICAMT1-1

Image credit: Avinash Kunnath

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 7519 Staples Mill Rd

Located around 5 miles north of Richmond’s city center, the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road is Amtrak’s busiest transport hub in the Southeast Region. The station was built in 1975 to replace the downtown Main Street Station. It now serves as an important terminal for routes traveling up and down the American East. Passengers can venture north onboard the Northeast Regional service—Amtrak’s busiest route—to Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. Richmond’s Amtrak Station also offers several southward connections to vacation destinations along the East Coast in [South Carolina(/train-tickets/us-sc/), Georgia, and Florida. In addition, the GRTC bus service is available from the station for transport into downtown Richmond.

All train stations in Richmond:

  • 7519 Staples Mill Rd

  • 1500 E Main St

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