Cheap train tickets from Cincinnati to Washington, DC
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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Cincinnati to Washington DC. Traveling by train from Cincinnati to Washington DC usually takes 15 hours and 7 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 401 mi (646 km) |
| Fastest train | 15h 7m |
| Lowest price | $81.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cardinal |
| Train lines | 1 |
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Cincinnati to Washington Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Cincinnati to Washington?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Cincinnati to Washington, DC.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$279.23 | Avg. Price$131.04Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration15h 7mFaster | Duration16h 15m |
There are several train options that can take you from Cincinnati to Washington:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Cincinnati to Washington DC?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Cincinnati to Washington, DC was $81.50. 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 $940.50 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Cincinnati to Washington DC by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Cincinnati to Washington DC will cost between $80 and $195. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Cincinnati to Washington DC by month
Ticket prices for the train from Cincinnati to Washington DC often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only $110. If you're thinking of traveling from Cincinnati to Washington DC during March, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $226 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in March, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Cincinnati to Washington, DC on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time, you can save about $940.50 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Cincinnati to Washington?
There are multiple trains that travel from Cincinnati to Washington, including Amtrak Cardinal. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Cardinal | 1 | 15h 7m | $279.23 |
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 Cincinnati to Washington, DC per day, with an average trip length of 15 hours and 7 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Cincinnati to Washington
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Washington DC with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains. You can also take a train for your return trip from Washington DC to Cincinnati. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Cincinnati to Washington DC for $87.
TRIPS PER DAY
1
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The distance between Cincinnati and Washington DC is approximately 401 miles, or 646 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 15 hours and 7 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)
401
DISTANCE (KM)
646
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Cincinnati at 3:37am and arrives in Washington DC around 15 hours later.
EARLIEST TRAIN
3:37am
LATEST TRAIN
3:37am
Trains from Cincinnati to Washington DC 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Wednesday
City Information
Cincinnati
A city famous for its idyllic beauty and quaint quarters, Cincinnati is the destination for tourists who wish to stay away from a large crowd. On a bright sunny day in Cincinnati, head over to Eden Park. Encompassing over 183 acres of green space and tree groves, the park lives up to its name, and there are some scenic ponds where you can unwind as well as take a few amazing pictures. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum might sound like a scary place to visit, but its tranquility and amazing landscape design, which was ahead of its time, will make it worth the while to check it out. For those who still crave some liveliness, watching a game at the Great American Ball Park, home of the oldest professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, will be an unforgettable experience.
Cincinnati features a very diverse food scene in spite of its German roots. If you are looking to try out some refreshing Mediterranean dishes, head over to Abigail Street, one of the local favorites. For authentic German dishes, the door at Mecklenburg Gardens welcomes you.
There’s not a central bus station in the city, as each of the different bus carriers serving Cincinnati operates out of a different location. The principal Amtrak train station is the Union Terminal on Western Ave. Cincinnati is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line. The city’s main airport is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is located in Hebron, Kentucky.
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 does the train leave from in Cincinnati?
Main departure station: Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave
Cincinnati’s Union Terminal is a living museum and train station with service operated by Amtrak. The art deco train station opened in 1933 and is now part of the Cincinnati Museum Center. Visitors can ogle dinosaur skeletons in the Museum of Natural History and travel back in time to an old-fashioned city street in the Cincinnati History Museum. To serve the 1.4 million annual visitors to these museums, the center offers a coat check, gift shops, and three dining rooms where travelers can stop in for ice cream or a draft beer before boarding their train. Amtrak’s Cardinal line runs through Union Terminal on its route from Chicago to New York, and travelers can travel to other cities along this line, such as Toledo and Cleveland.
All train stations in Cincinnati:
- Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave
Where does the train arrive in Washington?
Main arrival station: Union Station
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:
- Union Station
Need a return trip from Washington to Cincinnati?
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