Cheap train tickets from St Louis to Columbus
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
Trip Summary
You can pick from 5 daily train trips between St Louis and Columbus. The average train journey from St Louis to Columbus takes 11 hours and 41 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 9 hours and 11 minutes.
Distance | 331 mi (533 km) |
Fastest train | 9h 11m |
Lowest price | $61.00 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from St Louis to Columbus?
Over the past month, a train ticket between St Louis and Columbus cost $78.60, on average. Booking your trip at least 10 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $64.00 more.
Average train ticket prices from St Louis to Columbus by month
Which train should you take from St Louis to Columbus?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects St Louis to Columbus. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 5 | 11h 42m | $104.40 |
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 Louis to Columbus every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $61.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from St Louis to Columbus
The distance between St Louis and Columbus is approximately 331 miles, or 533 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 41 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 11 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.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from St Louis to Columbus. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs St Louis at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00am. 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 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 Columbus to St Louis.
City Information
St Louis
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
Station Information
Where is the train station in St Louis?
Image credit: Chris Yunker
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Gateway Station opened in 2008 to consolidate St Louis’ transportation services into one central hub. The station’s award-winning design includes a pedestrian walkway with expansive colored glass windows overlooking the train tracks. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown St Louis, the station is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and hotels and is just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and the iconic Gateway Arch. Amenities inside the station include free Wifi, a food court, and a lounge for Amtrak’s First Class passengers. Gateway Station is a major stop for intercity bus service, several Amtrak train lines, and the city’s MetroLink which can connect you with the St Louis Lambert International Airport in just 30 minutes.
All train stations in St Louis:
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Where is the train station in Columbus?
Main arrival station: 359 N Ludington St
Columbus has one train station.
All train stations in Columbus:
359 N Ludington St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Columbus to St Louis?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from St Louis
Continue by train from Columbus
- Train from Columbus to Niagara Falls
$176+
- Train from Columbus to Cincinnati
$92+
- Columbus to Toledo Train
$123+
- Columbus to Portland Train
$266+
- Train from Columbus to Nashville
$172+
- Columbus to La Crosse
$27+
- Train from Columbus to Madison
$91+
- Columbus to Milwaukee Train
$15+
- Train from Columbus to Wisconsin Dells
$12+
Check out these popular routes
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.
- Train Tickets
- United States
- Wisconsin
- Columbus
- St Louis to Columbus