Cheap train tickets from Detroit to Los Angeles

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Detroit to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from Detroit to Los Angeles usually takes 2 days, 8 hours, and 53 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 days, 3 hours, and 56 minutes.

Distance: 1979 mi (3185 km)
Fastest train: 51h 56m
Lowest price: CHF 162.85
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Detroit to Los Angeles Train Schedule

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

There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Detroit to Los Angeles.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCHF 312.31	Avg. PriceCHF 221.87Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips3
Duration	Duration56h 53m	Duration53h 51mFaster

There are several train options that can take you from Detroit to Los Angeles:

Amtrak tickets: CHF 163 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Detroit to Los Angeles cost about CHF 265 when booked at the cheapest time. Considering the distance between Detroit and Los Angeles, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 8 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CHF 91.66 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Los Angeles by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Detroit to Los Angeles will cost between CHF 210 and CHF 462. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Los Angeles by month

Ticket prices for the train from Detroit to Los Angeles 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 CHF 244. If you're thinking of traveling from Detroit to Los Angeles during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 338 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 Detroit to Los Angeles on Wanderu at least 8 days ahead of time, you can save about CHF 91.66 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Detroit to Los Angeles?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Detroit to Los Angeles. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	56h 53m	CHF 312.32

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 is 1 Amtrak train from Detroit to Los Angeles every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CHF 162.85.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Detroit to Los Angeles

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. 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 transfer 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 Los Angeles to Detroit. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Detroit to Los Angeles for CHF 119.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Detroit and Los Angeles is approximately 1,979 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 days, 8 hours, and 53 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 days, 3 hours, and 56 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)

1979

Distance (km)

3185

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Detroit at 6:26 AM and arrives in Los Angeles around 51 hours later.

First train

6:26am

Last train

6:31am

Trains from Detroit to Los Angeles are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Tuesday

Least crowded

Wednesday

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 Arts, 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.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Detroit?

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 Los Angeles?

Main arrival station: Union Station

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

All train stations in Los Angeles:

Union Station

Need a return trip from Los Angeles to Detroit?

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