Cheap train tickets from Cincinnati to Washington DC
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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
- DKK 539.52
- Trains per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak Cardinal
- Train lines
- 1
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Cincinnati to Washington DC Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Cincinnati to Washington DC?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Cincinnati to Washington DC.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceDKK 1,209.39 | Avg. PriceDKK 772.51Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration15h 7mFaster | Duration17h 31m |

There are several train options that can take you from Cincinnati to Washington DC:
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 DKK 539.52. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 27 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around DKK 2,697.62 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 DKK 507 and DKK 1,342. 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 DKK 717. 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 DKK 1,487 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 27 days ahead of time, you can save about DKK 2,697.62 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Cincinnati to Washington DC?
Amtrak Cardinal is the one and only train line which connects Cincinnati to Washington DC. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Cardinal | 1 | 15h 7m | DKK 1,209.38 |
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 DC
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 DKK 533.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
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.
First train
3:37am
Last 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Sunday
Least crowded
Sunday
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 is the train station 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 is the train station in Washington DC?
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 DC:
- Union Station
Need a return trip from Washington DC to Cincinnati?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
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- Cincinnati to Savannah TrainDKK 1,625+
- Cincinnati to Seattle TrainDKK 2,244+
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- Cincinnati to Philadelphia TrainDKK 651+
- Cincinnati to Grand Canyon Village Train
- Cincinnati to Phoenix Train
- Cincinnati to Cleveland TrainDKK 1,020+
- Cincinnati to Chicago TrainDKK 467+
- Cincinnati to Detroit TrainDKK 743+
- Cincinnati to Boston TrainDKK 1,586+
- Cincinnati to Los Angeles TrainDKK 2,073+
- Cincinnati to New Orleans TrainDKK 1,401+
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- Cincinnati to Pittsburgh Train
- Cincinnati to Denver TrainDKK 2,000+
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Continue by train from Washington DC
- Washington DC to New Rochelle TrainDKK 691+
- Washington DC to Blacksburg TrainDKK 217+
- Washington DC to Tampa TrainDKK 1,026+
- Washington DC to Providence TrainDKK 1,336+
- Washington DC to Columbia TrainDKK 579+
- Washington DC to Boston TrainDKK 1,415+
- Washington DC to Atlantic City Train
- Washington DC to Norfolk TrainDKK 263+
- Washington DC to Philadelphia TrainDKK 487+
- Washington DC to Trenton TrainDKK 428+
- Washington DC to Harpers Ferry TrainDKK 125+
- Washington DC to New York TrainDKK 836+
- Washington DC to Chicago TrainDKK 1,448+
- Washington DC to Richmond TrainDKK 197+
- Washington DC to Ocean City TrainDKK 1,040+
- Washington DC to Baltimore TrainDKK 158+
- Washington DC to Detroit TrainDKK 1,204+
- Washington DC to Montreal TrainDKK 1,066+
Check out these popular routes
- Seattle to Vancouver TrainDKK 487+
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- Los Angeles to San Diego TrainDKK 276+
- Montreal to Québec City TrainDKK 355+
- San Diego to Los Angeles TrainDKK 237+
- Portland, ME to Seattle, WA TrainDKK 3,737+
- New York to Washington DC TrainDKK 836+
- Washington DC to New York TrainDKK 836+
- Boston to Washington DC TrainDKK 1,500+
- Seattle to New York TrainDKK 3,435+
- Milwaukee to Chicago TrainDKK 178+
- Boston to New York TrainDKK 901+
- St Paul to Chicago TrainDKK 678+
- Chicago to Milwaukee TrainDKK 178+

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