Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Madison

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Washington DC to Madison. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Madison usually takes 1 day, 2 hours, and 22 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 22 hours and 53 minutes.

Distance: 705 mi (1135 km)
Fastest train: 22h 53m
Lowest price: SEK 1,483.38
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 DC to Madison Train Schedule

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

There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Washington DC to Madison.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceSEK 1,904.53	Avg. PriceSEK 1,676.52Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips3
Duration	Duration26h 22mFaster	Duration27h 50m

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

Amtrak tickets: SEK 1,483 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Washington DC to Madison was SEK 1,510. 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 21 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around SEK 955.06 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Madison will cost between SEK 1,140 and SEK 2,358. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Madison by month

Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Madison 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 SEK 1,778. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Madison during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of SEK 2,476 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Washington DC to Madison on Wanderu at least 21 days ahead of time, you can save about SEK 955.06 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Madison?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Washington DC to Madison. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	26h 22m	SEK 1,904.56

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 3 Amtrak trains from Washington DC to Madison every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from SEK 1,483.38.

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

While the train is the main method of transportation from Washington DC to Madison, 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.

There are 3 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 Madison to Washington DC. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to Madison for SEK 1,031.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Washington DC and Madison is approximately 705 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day, 2 hours, and 22 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 22 hours and 53 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)

705

Distance (km)

1135

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 11:39 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 3:57 PM. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

11:39am

Last train

3:57pm

Trains from Washington DC to Madison 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.

Madison

Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

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 Madison?

Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Madison receives travelers from Washington DC at its two active train stations.

All train stations in Madison:

University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

Need a return trip from Madison to Washington DC?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.