Cheap train tickets from St Paul to Madison
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Trip Summary
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from St Paul to Madison. Traveling by train from St Paul to Madison usually takes 12 hours and 52 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 10 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 225 mi (362 km) |
| Fastest train | 10h 45m |
| Lowest price | $100.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
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St Paul to Madison Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from St Paul to Madison?
There are usually 6 daily bus trips available from St Paul to Madison.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$189.76 | Avg. Price$43.77Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips6 |
Duration | Duration12h 52m | Duration6h 10mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from St Paul to Madison:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from St Paul to Madison?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from St Paul to Madison was $137.00. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $77.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from St Paul to Madison by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from St Paul to Madison will cost between $80 and $221. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from St Paul to Madison by month
Ticket prices for the train from St Paul to Madison 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 $131. If you're thinking of traveling from St Paul to Madison during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $179 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from St Paul to Madison on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time, you can save about $77.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from St Paul to Madison?
There are multiple trains that travel from St Paul to Madison, including Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 12h 52m | $189.76 |
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 5 Amtrak trains from St Paul to Madison every day, as well as 9 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $100.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from St Paul to Madison
There are 5 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 Madison to St Paul. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from St Paul to Madison for $29.
TRIPS PER DAY
5
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The distance between St Paul and Madison is approximately 225 miles, or 362 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 52 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 hours and 45 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)
225
DISTANCE (KM)
362
The earliest train departs St Paul at 8:50am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:50am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
EARLIEST TRAIN
8:50am
LATEST TRAIN
8:50am
Trains from St Paul to Madison are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Monday
LEAST CROWDED
Wednesday
City Information
St Paul
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.
For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.
Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.
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 does the train leave from in St Paul?
Main departure station: Union Depot
Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Union Depot has a remarkable history dating back to 1881. It remains the major transport hub of Saint Paul, as well as the designated station for Amtrak service in the Twin Cities. Besides the long-haul Empire Builder train, the station serves Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity buses and connects to local public transit. Within the Union Depot complex, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop, rental car agency, and can even join a public tour to admire the architecture and learn about the station’s storied past.
All train stations in St Paul:
- Union Depot
Where does the train arrive in Madison?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Madison receives travelers from St Paul at its two active train stations.
All train stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
Need a return trip from Madison to St Paul?
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