Cheap train tickets from Washington, DC to Richmond
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Trip Summary
There are usually 8 daily train trips available from Washington DC to Richmond. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Richmond usually takes 2 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Palmetto train can make the trip in one hour and 58 minutes.
| Distance | 97 mi (156 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 58m |
| Lowest price | $15.00 |
| Trains per day | 8 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Northeast Regional |
| Train lines | 5 |
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Washington to Richmond Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Washington to Richmond?
There are usually 22 daily bus trips available from Washington, DC to Richmond.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$49.10 | Avg. Price$32.94Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips8 | Daily Trips22 |
Duration | Duration2h 17m | Duration2h 4mFaster |

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Washington to Richmond (Based on 62 ratings and reviews)
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Washington to Richmond Route Map

There are several train options that can take you from Washington to Richmond:
- Amtrak Northeast Regional: 4 daily trains from $15
- Amtrak Carolinian: 1 daily train from $19
- Amtrak Palmetto: 1 daily train from $49
- Amtrak Silver Service: 1 daily train from $49
- Amtrak Floridian: 1 daily train from $30
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, DC to Richmond was $28.37. 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 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $36.87 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Richmond by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Richmond will cost between $25 and $49. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Richmond by month
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 September when the average ticket price is only $31. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Richmond during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $55 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 Richmond on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $36.87 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Washington to Richmond?
There are multiple trains that travel from Washington to Richmond, including Amtrak Northeast Regional, Amtrak Carolinian, Amtrak Palmetto, Amtrak Silver Service. Here is what you should know about the 5 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Northeast Regional | 4 | 2h 25m | $37.14 |
| Amtrak Carolinian | 1 | 2h 10m | $57.11 |
| Amtrak Palmetto | 1 | 1h 58m | $73.00 |
| Amtrak Silver Service | 1 | 2h 15m | $70.94 |
| Amtrak Floridian | 1 | 2h 9m | $56.41 |
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 4 daily train trips from Washington, DC to Richmond, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.
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 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 $57.11, and the trip usually lasts around 2 hours and 10 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 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 $73.00 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, DC to Richmond start from $49 and the average train journey lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Amtrak Floridian train tickets from Washington DC to Richmond start from $30, and on average cost $56.41. Daily there are 1 Amtrak Floridian schedules to Richmond. Amtrak Floridian in Washington, DC leaves from Union Station. And in Richmond trains arrive at 7519 Staples Mill Rd.
From Washington DC to Richmond train travel on Amtrak Floridian takes 2 hours and 9 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Richmond on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Floridian scheduled trip per day, which will cost $30 for a one-way weekend reservation from Washington, DC.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington 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.
There are 8 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Washington DC to Richmond. You can also take a train for your return trip from Richmond to Washington DC. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to Richmond for $15.
TRIPS PER DAY
8
DIRECT TRIPS
8
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 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 58 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.
DISTANCE (MI)
97
DISTANCE (KM)
156
The earliest train departs Washington DC at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:24pm. 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
7:00am
LATEST TRAIN
7:24pm
Trains from Washington DC to Richmond 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Monday
LEAST CROWDED
Tuesday
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 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 Richmond?
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
Need a return trip from Richmond to Washington?
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