Cheap train tickets from East Lansing to Philadelphia

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

One way
Round trip

Find cheap hotels

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

East Lansing to Philadelphia Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Trip Summary

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from East Lansing to Philadelphia. Traveling by train from East Lansing to Philadelphia usually takes 26 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 19 hours and 59 minutes.

	Distance	520 mi (837 km)
	Fastest train	19h 59m
	Lowest price	NOK 1,883.45
	Most frequent service	Amtrak
	Train lines	1

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from East Lansing to Philadelphia was NOK 2,206.88. Considering the distance between East Lansing and Philadelphia, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 22 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 1,093.93 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from East Lansing to Philadelphia by month

Ticket prices for the train from East Lansing to Philadelphia 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 NOK 2,017. If you're thinking of traveling from East Lansing to Philadelphia during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 2,740 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from East Lansing to Philadelphia on Wanderu at least 22 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 1,093.93 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from East Lansing to Philadelphia?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects East Lansing to Philadelphia. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	6	1d 2h 35m	NOK 2,919.92

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 6 Amtrak trains from East Lansing to Philadelphia every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 1,883.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from East Lansing to Philadelphia

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from East Lansing to Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia is approximately 520 miles, or 837 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 26 hours and 34 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 19 hours and 59 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 from East Lansing to Philadelphia are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs East Lansing at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia

We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?

Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Head to Reading Terminal Market to fuel up for a night hitting the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line South Street.

Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.

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 Philadelphia?

Image credit: Ben Schumin

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

Philadelphia has one train station.

All train stations in Philadelphia:

30th St Station - 2955 Market St

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Philadelphia by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Philadelphia to East Lansing?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.