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East Lansing to Pontiac train

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East Lansing - Pontiac Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 2 daily train trips between East Lansing and Pontiac. The average train journey from East Lansing to Pontiac takes 8 hours and 39 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 5 hours and 17 minutes.

Distance61 mi (98 km)
Fastest train5h 17m
Lowest price$34.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines1

What is the price of a train ticket from East Lansing to Pontiac?

Over the past month, a train ticket between East Lansing and Pontiac cost $37.00, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Pontiac. Booking your trip at least 16 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $25.00 more.

Monthly average prices

$100$80$60$40$20MJJASONDJFMA
You can find the lowest prices on this route during November. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from East Lansing to Pontiac, with the average price at just $49. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in August, when the average price goes up to $94. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Which train should you take from East Lansing to Pontiac?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak28h 40m$55.26

  • 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 Pontiac every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $34.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from East Lansing to Pontiac. 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 East Lansing and Pontiac is approximately 61 miles, or 98 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 17 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from East Lansing to Pontiac on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Monday. Monday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

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 Pontiac 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.

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 Pontiac?

Main arrival station: Transp Ctr - 51000 Woodward Ave

Pontiac has one train station.

All train stations in Pontiac:

  • Transp Ctr - 51000 Woodward Ave

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