Cheap train tickets from Indianapolis to Columbus

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

Trip Summary

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from Indianapolis to Columbus. Traveling by train from Indianapolis to Columbus usually takes 12 hours and 26 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance: 287 mi (463 km)
Fastest train: 9h 45m
Lowest price: CZK 1,623.40
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

Indianapolis to Columbus Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

There are several train options that can take you from Indianapolis to Columbus:

Amtrak tickets: CZK 1,623 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Indianapolis to Columbus?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Indianapolis to Columbus was CZK 1,890. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 10 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CZK 715.81 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Indianapolis to Columbus by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Indianapolis to Columbus will cost between CZK 1,667 and CZK 2,597. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Indianapolis to Columbus by month

Ticket prices for the train from Indianapolis to Columbus often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only CZK 1,926. If you're thinking of traveling from Indianapolis to Columbus during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CZK 3,204 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 Indianapolis to Columbus on Wanderu at least 10 days ahead of time, you can save about CZK 715.81 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Indianapolis to Columbus?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Indianapolis to Columbus. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	4	12h 26m	CZK 2,149.60

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 4 Amtrak trains from Indianapolis to Columbus every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CZK 1,623.40.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Indianapolis to Columbus

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Indianapolis to Columbus. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

There are 4 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 Columbus to Indianapolis.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Indianapolis and Columbus is approximately 287 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 26 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 45 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)

287

Distance (km)

463

The earliest train departs Indianapolis at 5:10 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 6:25 AM. 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

5:10am

Last train

6:25am

Trains from Indianapolis to Columbus are the most crowded on Thursday. 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.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Tuesday

City Information

Indianapolis

Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.

Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.

Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Indianapolis?

Main departure station: Indianapolis Union Station

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.

All train stations in Indianapolis:

350 S Illinois St

Where is the train station in Columbus?

Main arrival station: 359 N Ludington St

Columbus has one train station.

All train stations in Columbus:

359 N Ludington St

Need a return trip from Columbus to Indianapolis?

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.