Cheap train tickets from East Lansing to Madison

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from East Lansing to Madison. Traveling by train from East Lansing to Madison usually takes 8 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 56 minutes.

Distance: 250 mi (402 km)
Fastest train: 7h 56m
Lowest price: $135.00
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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East Lansing to Madison Train Schedule

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

There are several train options that can take you from East Lansing to Madison:

Amtrak tickets: $79 one-way

See more details

Price trends for trains from East Lansing to Madison

Average train ticket prices from East Lansing to Madison by travel date

Average train ticket prices from East Lansing to Madison by month

Prices as travel date approaches

Which train should you take from East Lansing to Madison?

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

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	8h 36m	$107.00

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 Madison every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $79.

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

The distance between East Lansing and Madison is approximately 250 miles, or 402 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 36 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 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)

250

Distance (km)

402

The earliest train departs East Lansing at 8:54am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:54am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

8:54am

Last train

8:54am

Trains from East Lansing to Madison 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Sunday

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.

Madison

Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

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 Madison?

Main arrival station: Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

The Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a parking lot where travelers can catch local Madison Metro buses throughout the city, as well as intercity buses on Amtrak Thruway heading to destinations like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee. For those parking before riding, the lot has both daily and overnight parking available for free. Although there is no station building, bus shelters line the bus lanes, and there is easy access to the next-door gas station and Arby’s, where you can grab a bite or hang out indoors before the bus arrives. The Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a few miles outside of downtown Madison, but several convenience stores, restaurants, and hotels are still in the direct vicinity.

All train stations in Madison:

Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

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