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Cheap train tickets from Detroit to Birmingham

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Detroit to Birmingham Train Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Detroit to Birmingham?

There are usually 5 daily bus trips available from Detroit to Birmingham.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$168.22

Avg. Price

$383.53

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

5

Daily Trips

1

Duration

Duration

1d 2h 15m

Duration

1d 21h 51m

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Detroit and Birmingham. The average train journey from Detroit to Birmingham takes 46 hours and 13 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 40 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance642 mi (1033 km)
Fastest train40h 15m
Lowest price$282.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Detroit to Birmingham

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Menta

June 5, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: The scenery was lovely, and all the people I interacted with, staff, other travelers, and workers at various shops at the stations were kind to me and helpful. Cons: I'd prefer the mask policy to be more in place. also crescent train could use cleaner restrooms and that some seats don't have windows is disappointing. there was also a bright light by my windowless seat when I was trying to sleep. Tips: if you've never traveled by train before, others will generally give you tips along the way. listen to them.

What is the price of a train ticket from Detroit to Birmingham?

The average price for a train ticket from Detroit to Birmingham is $282.00, The lengthy distance traveled between Detroit and Birmingham often means relatively more expensive train tickets. By booking your trip at least 24 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $155.50 more.

Monthly avg. prices

$525$420$315$210$105DJFMAMJJASON
Ticket prices for the train from Detroit to Birmingham 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 $309. If you're thinking of traveling from Detroit to Birmingham during October, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $509 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in October, is to book your trip well in advance.

Which train should you take from Detroit to Birmingham?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Detroit to Birmingham. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak21d 22h 13m$408.61
  • 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 2 Amtrak trains from Detroit to Birmingham every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $282.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Detroit to Birmingham

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Detroit to Birmingham. 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.

The distance between Detroit and Birmingham is approximately 642 miles, or 1033 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 46 hours and 13 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 40 hours and 15 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.

Trains departing from Detroit to Birmingham tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Wednesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Detroit at 9:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Trains leave the station in Detroit twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Birmingham to Detroit.

City Information

Detroit

Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travelers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Art, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.

As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favorite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.

The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travelers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.

Birmingham

Birmingham, AL - BHM-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Birmingham, AL - BHM-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Birmingham, AL - BHM-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Birmingham may not be the capital of Alabama, but it does hold the crown as both the cultural and entertainment capital of the Cotton State. The second-most populous city, Birmingham was founded during the Reconstruction Period, which followed the American Civil War.

Quietly going about its business as an industrial powerhouse, producing much of America's iron and steel, Birmingham didn't enter the world's consciousness until the Civil Rights Movement one hundred years later. It’s one of the 8 iconic cities on our Martin Luther King, Jr. road trip, as it’s the city where Dr. King wrote his famous “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” When visiting, be sure to stop at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn more about the city’s civil rights history.

Today known as America's 'Magic City,' new life has been blown into downtown Birmingham in recent years. Its streets have been cleaned up, allowing the city's historical gems such as the Alabama Theater to shine once more both by day and by night.

The Birmingham Museum of Art contains the most extensive collection of artworks in the southeastern United States. It's connected to the nightlife districts of Five Points South, Lakeview, and Uptown by a series of charming tree-lined public squares. Close by Five Points South also lies Red Mountain's Vulcan Park, home to the world's largest cast-iron statue. It was made for the St. Louis World Fair of 1904.

Birmingham is an important regional hub linking the Deep South, the Appalachian Mountains, and Piedmont. Travelers can easily reach other noteworthy destinations in the U.S., including Dallas, Phoenix, and Montgomery, thanks to the hundreds of bus and train routes to and from Birmingham.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Detroit?

11 W Baltimore Ave - DETAMT-0

Image credit: JasonParis

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 11 W Baltimore Ave

Detroit’s Amtrak station connects Motor City with the nation’s rail network via three daily trains on the Amtrak Wolverine, which runs from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan. Bus service on Miller Transportation also operates from the Amtrak Station on 11 W Baltimore Avenue, and from the adjacent platform, travelers can connect to the QLine streetcar system. The station’s amenities include clean restrooms, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighborhood, the Amtrak station is surrounded by various restaurants and is one block away from the historic landmark, Cadillac Place.

All train stations in Detroit:

  • 11 W Baltimore Ave

Where is the train station in Birmingham?

Intermodal Facility -{"city":"Birmingham","country":"US","postal":"35203","state":"AL","street1":"1801 Morris Ave"} - BHMAMT-0

Image credit: Birmingham Photographer J.g.

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Intermodal Facility

Birmingham's Intermodal Facility is a modern station right in the heart of downtown. It is near the McWane Science Center and only a 10-minute walk to the University of Alabama. The Intermodal Facility is a hub for Amtrak trains, intercity buses, and MAX transit throughout Birmingham, so it's easy to transfer between travel modes all within the same station. Birmingham is a stop on Amtrak's Crescent Line, which runs from New York to New Orleans. The station has an onsite cafe, plus amenities like restrooms, seating, and vending machines.

All train stations in Birmingham:

  • Intermodal Facility

Get around town with Moovit

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