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Cheap train tickets from Newark to Washington DC

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Newark to Washington DC Train Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Newark to Washington?

There are usually 23 daily bus trips available from Newark to Washington.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$47.38
Avg. Price
$105.76
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
23
Daily Trips
49
Duration
Duration
5h 18m
Duration
3h 14m

Trip Summary

There are usually 35 daily train trips available from Newark to Washington DC. Traveling by train from Newark to Washington DC usually takes 3 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Acela train can make the trip in 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance198 mi (318 km)
Fastest train2h 35m
Lowest price$17.00
Trains per day45
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines9

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Newark to Washington

(Based on 73 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Fiorella

February 26, 2025- Regular commuter

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: I liked it because I arrived comfortable, calm. Cons: That when it's traveling, people use AirPods because of the noise of people walking out. Tips: Always bring a blanket for the cold in season ab AirPods.

5.0

Joseph

December 3, 2024- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Great price

5.0

Winston

April 17, 2024

Amtrak Northeast Regional

The trip number on the train will be helpful

5.0

Jocelyn

March 1, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: easy ride, clean and spacious, very comfortable. Cons: none, everything okay as is. Tips: book early for reasonable rates.

5.0

Winston

December 25, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Efficient , reliable and safe . Cons: Verizon could be added to the Wi fi options.

Newark to Washington DC Route Map

Newark Washington
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What is the price of a train ticket from Newark to Washington DC?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Newark to Washington was $96.97. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $140.24 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Newark to Washington DC by travel date

$225$150$75AprMay

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Newark to Washington DC will cost between $72 and $222. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Newark to Washington DC by month

$150$120$90$60$30MJJASONDJFMA
Ticket prices for the train from Newark to Washington DC often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in August when the average ticket price is only $98. If you're thinking of traveling from Newark to Washington DC during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $135 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$225$180$135$90$453020100

By booking your train trip from Newark to Washington on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $140.24 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Newark to Washington DC?

There are 9 train lines with service from Newark to Washington. Amtrak Northeast Regional is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 17 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak43h 24m$138.21
Amtrak Acela82h 46m$236.22
Amtrak Cardinal13h 12m$167.09
Amtrak Carolinian13h 13m$159.44
Amtrak Crescent13h 34m$175.66
Amtrak Northeast Regional173h 26m$133.07
Amtrak Palmetto13h 14m$138.93
Amtrak Silver Service13h 38m$172.89
Amtrak Vermonter13h 9m$151.62

  • 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 4 Amtrak trains from Newark to Washington every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $17.

  • The Acela is Amtrak’s flagship high-speed rail service. Connecting 15 cities along the Northeast Corridor of the United States, the Acela is Amtrak’s fastest running passenger train, developing a speed of up to 82.2 mph. Acela trains are equipped with free high-speed internet, power outlets and extra comfortable seats. In addition, all Acela passengers have access to the line’s signature Corridor Café where they can unwind and enjoy a freshly prepared meal with a glass of wine. There are 8 Acela trips from Newark to Washington every day, including the weekend. As it is Amtrak’s most premium service, the average Acela train ticket may cost more than other train lines.

  • The Amtrak Cardinal is a long distance passenger rail service from New York to Chicago, connecting a total of 31 cities. As one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the Cardinal is a popular train line connecting the Northeast to the Southeast, and offers top-notch comfort thanks to its seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available for purchase in the Cardinal Café. There are usually 1 Cardinal trips from Newark to Washington per day, with an average trip length of 3 hours and 12 minutes.

  • The Amtrak Carolinian is a passenger train service which connects New York City and Washington, DC to some of the most charming destinations in North Carolina. The Carolinian runs an average of 1 trips per day between Newark and Washington, all of which include seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available in the Café car. The average Amtrak Carolinian ticket price for this route is , and the trip usually lasts around 3 hours and 13 minutes.

  • The Crescent is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs from New York to New Orleans by way of Atlanta. As an overnight service, the Crescent offers a variety of amenities and accommodation options. There’s also a café car where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals and a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages. Like all Amtrak trains, the Crescent offers free WiFi, power outlets and extra legroom. Train trips from Newark to Washington take about 3 hours and 34 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $113.

  • The Northeast Regional is Amtrak’s passenger rail service that runs between Boston, MA and Virginia Beach, VA, connecting over 50 cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. While the line’s downtown-to-downtown train service makes traveling between the biggest cities in the Northeast convenient and hassle-free, the train’s amenities make the journey comfortable and relaxing as well. Amtrak passengers can enjoy large seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as free WiFi and clean bathrooms. With 17 daily train trips from Newark to Washington, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

  • The Palmetto is an Amtrak train service that runs a total of 829 miles from New York City to Savannah, GA, connecting 20 cities from the Northeast to the Southeast along the way. Traveling from Newark to Washington is comfortable and relaxing on the Palmetto, thanks to the train’s free WiFi, power outlets, and seating with extra legroom. You can pick from 1 daily departures along this route, with train ticket pricing at an average of on the Palmetto.

  • The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Newark to Washington start from $113 and the average train journey lasts about 3 hours and 38 minutes.

  • The Vermonter is an Amtrak passenger train that connects St. Albans, VT to Washington, D.C. by way of New York City. The journey is renowned for the beautiful scenic views that it presents as it passes through the Green Mountains and the Berkshires. Aboard the Vermonter, passengers can enjoy free WiFi, power outlets at every seat and extra legroom. You can also grab a bite to eat or enjoy a refreshing beverage from the train’s café. There are 1 Vermonter trains traveling from Newark to Washington every day, with prices starting from $17.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Newark to Washington DC

The cheapest trains from Newark to DC are typically the Amtrak Cardinal, Amtrak Palmetto and the Amtrak Carolinian, each of which averages around $114.
The fastest train from Newark to DC is the Amtrak Acela. On the Acela, the average trip duration is just 2 hours 41 minutes.
There are 3 buses that drive between Newark and DC: BoltBus, Greyhound and OurBus. Tickets average just $16, and the typical travel time is 4.5 and 5 hours.
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Newark to Washington DC. 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 Newark and Washington DC is approximately 198 miles, or 318 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 35 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Trains from Newark to Washington DC 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Newark at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. 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 35 scheduled trains on most days. 45 of these are direct connections to Washington DC. 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 Washington DC to Newark.

City Information

Newark

Newark, NJ - NWK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Newark, NJ - NWK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Newark, NJ - NWK-2

Image credit: Unsplash

As the most populous city in New Jersey, Newark offers some excellent museums, parks and restaurants that you can enjoy year-round. Art lovers should stop by the famous Newark Museum to enjoy a rich collection of works by American artists and sculptors. History buffs should check out the New Jersey Historical Society for ongoing exhibitions documenting the state’s rich history.

Located by the Passaic River, Newark offers various places where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll by the water. For the best views, head over to the city’s Riverfront Park near the hip Ironbound neighborhood. If you’re seeking more outdoor enjoyment, check out Branch Brook Park where you will find various lakes and plenty of cherry blossoms.

Newark is one of the biggest travel hubs in the United States, which makes it very easily accessible via all types of transportation. The Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the three airports that serves the New York City metro area, and its close proximity to Newark’s Penn Station makes it easy to reach from anywhere via bus or train.

Washington DC

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.

D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Newark?

Newark Penn Station - NWKPNS-0

Image credit: Ken Lund

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Newark Penn Station

Not to be confused with the Penn Station in New York City just 10 miles away, Newark’s Penn Station is a vital regional transportation hub which serves the greater New York City and New Jersey area. Located a few blocks East of the central business district in Newark, Penn Station opened in 1935, when its Art Deco architecture was at the height of fashion - see if you can spot the Zodiac signs decorating the chandeliers! Travelers can access Amtrak intercity passenger trains running on the busy Northeast Corridor between Washington D.C. and Boston, as well as intercity buses like Greyhound and Fullington Trailways. Local transit available at Penn Station includes Newark Light Rail, Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rapid transit linking Newark to Manhattan, and NJ Transit commuter trains serving coastal and central New Jersey.

All train stations in Newark:

  • Newark Penn Station

  • Newark Intl Airport

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main arrival station: Washington

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.

All train stations in Washington DC:

  • Washington

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