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Cheap train tickets from Detroit to Cincinnati

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Detroit to Cincinnati Train Schedule

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

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Detroit to Cincinnati.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$82.15

Avg. Price

$155.88

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

2

Daily Trips

1

Duration

Duration

15h 4m

Duration

19h 26m

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Trip Summary

2 trains operate daily from Detroit to Cincinnati. The train trip from Detroit to Cincinnati is usually about 19 hours and 30 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 17 hours and 52 minutes.

Distance236 mi (380 km)
Fastest train17h 52m
Lowest price$96.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

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

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Detroit to Cincinnati was $98.50. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Cincinnati if you book your train tickets at least 15 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $76.75.

Average train ticket prices from Detroit to Cincinnati by month

$150$120$90$60$30DJFMAMJJASON
Ticket prices for the train from Detroit to Cincinnati often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in November when the average ticket price is only $110. If you're thinking of traveling from Detroit to Cincinnati during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $145 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Which train should you take from Detroit to Cincinnati?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak219h 30m$152.42
  • 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 Cincinnati every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $96.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Detroit to Cincinnati

The distance between Detroit and Cincinnati is approximately 236 miles, or 380 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 19 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 17 hours and 52 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Detroit to Cincinnati. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Sunday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Detroit at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00am. 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 Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati

A city famous for its idyllic beauty and quaint quarters, Cincinnati is the destination for tourists who wish to stay away from a large crowd. On a bright sunny day in Cincinnati, head over to Eden Park. Encompassing over 183 acres of green space and tree groves, the park lives up to its name, and there are some scenic ponds where you can unwind as well as take a few amazing pictures. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum might sound like a scary place to visit, but its tranquility and amazing landscape design, which was ahead of its time, will make it worth the while to check it out. For those who still crave some liveliness, watching a game at the Great American Ball Park, home of the oldest professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, will be an unforgettable experience.

Cincinnati features a very diverse food scene in spite of its German roots. If you are looking to try out some refreshing Mediterranean dishes, head over to Abigail Street, one of the local favorites. For authentic German dishes, the door at Mecklenburg Gardens welcomes you.

There’s not a central bus station in the city, as each of the different bus carriers serving Cincinnati operates out of a different location. The principal Amtrak train station is the Union Terminal on Western Ave. Cincinnati is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line. The city’s main airport is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is located in Hebron, Kentucky.

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 Cincinnati?

Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave  - CINAMT-0Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave  - CINAMT-1
Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave  - CINAMT-2

Image credit: Anthony

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave

Cincinnati’s Union Terminal is a living museum and train station with service operated by Amtrak. The art deco train station opened in 1933 and is now part of the Cincinnati Museum Center. Visitors can ogle dinosaur skeletons in the Museum of Natural History and travel back in time to an old-fashioned city street in the Cincinnati History Museum. To serve the 1.4 million annual visitors to these museums, the center offers a coat check, gift shops, and three dining rooms where travelers can stop in for ice cream or a draft beer before boarding their train. Amtrak’s Cardinal line runs through Union Terminal on its route from Chicago to New York, and travelers can travel to other cities along this line, such as Toledo and Cleveland.

All train stations in Cincinnati:

  • Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave

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