background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Staples to St Paul train

chiku-mobile
Available on iOS & Android
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.

Staples - St Paul Train Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00
No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Trip Summary

You can pick from 3 daily train trips between Staples and St Paul. The average train journey from Staples to St Paul takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 3 hours and 6 minutes.

Distance127 mi (205 km)
Fastest train3h 6m
Lowest price$15.00
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Empire Builder
Train lines2

What is the price of a train ticket from Staples to St Paul?

Over the past month, a train ticket between Staples and Saint Paul cost $28.00, on average. This is about as cheap as train fares get on this route. Booking your trip at least 1 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $0.50 more.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10AMJJASONDJFM
Ticket prices for the train from Staples to St Paul often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in May when the average ticket price is only $23. If you're thinking of traveling from Staples to St Paul during September, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $45 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in September, is to book your trip well in advance.

Which train should you take from Staples to St Paul?

2 train services operate from Staples to Saint Paul. Amtrak Empire Builder usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak26h 57m$59.75
Amtrak Empire Builder23h 6m$23.21
  • 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 Staples to Saint Paul every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $15.

  • The Amtrak Empire Builder is a long-distance passenger rail service that has been in operation since 1929. The full 2,200-mile route takes 45 hours to connect Chicago with the Pacific Northwest. Don’t let the length of the trip intimidate you; the Empire Builder is one of Amtrak’s most popular services, and often rated as the most scenic train route in the country. The sightseer lounge, home to enormous windows, is the perfect place to drink in the incredible views of the Mississippi River, the North Dakota Plains, Glacier National Park, and the Columbia River Gorge. Overnight trips on the Empire Builder include the option to book sleeper cabins, for a more comfortable journey and included meals. All passengers can purchase meals or snacks in the cafe car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Staples to St Paul. 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 Staples and St Paul is approximately 127 miles, or 205 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 6 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.

Tuesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Staples to St Paul. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Tuesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Staples at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 5:00am. 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 3 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to St Paul. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from St Paul to Staples.

City Information

St Paul

St. Paul, MN - STP-0

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Paul, MN - STP-1

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Paul, MN - STP-2

Image credit: Unsplash

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Staples?

Main departure station: First Ave NE and Fourth St NE

There is one train station in Staples.

All train stations in Staples:

  • First Ave NE and Fourth St NE

Where is the train station in St Paul?

Union Depot - STPAMT2-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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

  • Minn-St Paul Airport - 4300 Glumack Dr

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from St Paul to Staples?

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.

Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android