Cheap train tickets from East Lansing to Detroit
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from East Lansing to Detroit?
There are usually 13 daily bus trips available from East Lansing to Detroit.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price€22.22 | Avg. Price€49.89 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips13 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration3h 49m | Duration7h 50m |
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from East Lansing to Detroit. Traveling by train from East Lansing to Detroit usually takes 7 hours and 50 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 31 minutes.
Distance | 78 mi (126 km) |
Fastest train | 4h 31m |
Lowest price | €33.71 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |

What is the price of a train ticket from East Lansing to Detroit?
Over the past month, a train ticket between East Lansing and Detroit cost €47.44, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Detroit. Booking your trip at least 26 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around €11.14 more.
Average train ticket prices from East Lansing to Detroit by travel date
The average cost of a one-way train trip from East Lansing to Detroit is expected to fluctuate between €40 and €67 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Detroit in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from East Lansing is €40.
Average train ticket prices from East Lansing to Detroit by month
Prices as travel date approaches
If you're looking to save on your train trip from East Lansing to Detroit, book online with Wanderu at least 26 days in advance. That way, you’ll save €11.14 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
Which train should you take from East Lansing to Detroit?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects East Lansing to Detroit. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 2 | 7h 50m | €49.93 |
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 East Lansing to Detroit every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €34.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from East Lansing to Detroit
The distance between East Lansing and Detroit is approximately 78 miles, or 126 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 50 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 31 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 East Lansing to Detroit tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. 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 East Lansing at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00pm. 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 East Lansing 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 Detroit to East Lansing.
City Information
East Lansing
East Lansing, a city shockingly located just east of Lansing, is primarily known as the home of Michigan State University. In fact, around half of its population is composed of students, and some of the city's most visited attractions are situated on the college campus. Among them are the historic W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, the 104-foot-tall Beaumont Tower, the contemporary Broad Art Museum, and the renowned Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Aside from its vibrant college life, East Lansing is also known for its yearly events, such as The East Lansing Film Festival, the largest of its kind in the entire state.
Lake Lansing is a go-to for swimming, fishing, or just getting some fresh air, but you'll also find parks and golf courses all around the city. The tree-lined Grand River Avenue divides the MSU campus from the rest of the city; find some of the city's best shopping and dining in the Grand River area, including HopCat, Beggar's Banquet, and Barrio East Lansing.
Public transit buses connect East Lansing to the closest airport, the Capital Region International Airport. However, it's also easy to take an intercity bus to nearby travel hubs, Detroit and Chicago, by booking a ticket with Greyhound, Indian Trails, or Jefferson Lines. East Lansing is a stop on Amtrak's Blue Water line, which makes train travel in and out of the city a breeze.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in East Lansing?
Main departure station: Train Station - 1240 S Harrison Rd E
There is one train station in East Lansing.
All train stations in East Lansing:
Train Station - 1240 S Harrison Rd E
Where is the train station in Detroit?

Image credit: JasonParis
Link to image attributionMain arrival 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
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