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Cheap train tickets from Philadelphia to Washington DC

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5k Reviews

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4.8k Reviews

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Philadelphia to Washington DC Train Schedule

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

There are usually 25 daily bus trips available from Philadelphia to Washington.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$28.74
Avg. Price
$66.62
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
25
Daily Trips
34
Duration
Duration
3h 28m
Duration
1h 58m

Trip Summary

There are usually 36 daily train trips available from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Traveling by train from Philadelphia to Washington DC usually takes one hour and 59 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in one hour and 39 minutes.

Distance123 mi (198 km)
Fastest train1h 39m
Lowest price$11.00
Trains per day36
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines9

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Philadelphia to Washington

(Based on 221 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

John

February 26, 2025- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: Friendly and helpful staff. Tips: Go & Travel using Wanderu!

5.0

Randy

February 5, 2025- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: The trip was very nice I enjoyed everything about it. Cons: Not to much to improve the trip was fantastic. Tips: I highly recommend it for other travelers.

5.0

Jeby

December 25, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Everything

5.0

Mai

December 20, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Vermonter

Pros: On time and comfortable. Tips: Good service.

5.0

tracey

November 29, 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Price. Cons: Price. Tips: Take your time and weigh your options.

Philadelphia to Washington DC Route Map

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Philadelphia to Washington was $53.47. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $87.99 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

$120$80$40JunJun

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC will cost between $48 and $114. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Philadelphia to Washington DC by month

$100$80$60$40$20JASONDJFMAMJ
Ticket prices for the train from Philadelphia 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 $65. If you're thinking of traveling from Philadelphia to Washington DC during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $94 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$253020100

By booking your train trip from Philadelphia to Washington on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $87.99 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak41h 58m$88.75
Amtrak Acela91h 48m$136.48
Amtrak Cardinal11h 59m$116.36
Amtrak Carolinian11h 59m$122.05
Amtrak Crescent12h 15m$118.38
Amtrak Northeast Regional172h 4m$69.91
Amtrak Palmetto12h 1m$133.59
Amtrak Silver Service12h 11m$119.94
Amtrak Vermonter12h 1m$76.84

  • 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 Philadelphia to Washington every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $11.

  • 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 9 Acela trips from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to Washington per day, with an average trip length of 1 hours and 59 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 Philadelphia 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 1 hours and 59 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 Philadelphia to Washington take about 2 hours and 15 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $77.

  • 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to Washington start from $77 and the average train journey lasts about 2 hours and 11 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 Philadelphia to Washington every day, with prices starting from $11.

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

There are 8 Amtrak lines that travel between Philly and Washington, DC, combining for 40 daily trips.

  • Amtrak Acela offers 13 daily trips from Philadelphia to Washington, and is the fastest train covering this route, with an average travel time of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It’s also the most expensive, with ticket prices averaging around $149.
  • Amtrak Northeast Regional offers 18 daily trips from Philadelphia to Washington, with an average travel time of 2 hours. Tickets on the Northeast Regional average around $69.
  • Amtrak Silver Service offers 2 daily trips from Philadelphia to Washington, with an average travel time of 1 hour and 58 minutes. Tickets on the Silver Service average around $101.51.
  • Amtrak Vermonter offers 1 daily trip from Philadelphia to Washington, with an average travel time of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It’s also the cheapest option, with tickets averaging $65.36.
  • Amtrak Carolinian, Cardinal, Crescent and Palmetto all offer 1 daily trip between Philadelphia and Washington, with trips taking about 2 hours and prices ranging between $72 and $82.

Incoming Amtrak lines in DC drop off passengers at Washington Union Station. Union Station is a historic train station, completed in 1908 by the famed architect Daniel Burnham. At Union Station you can board regional transit, including the Metro, the Maryland Rail Commuter Service (MARC), the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and local buses.

From Philadelphia, trains depart from 30th Street Station. The first train of the day departs at 12:00 a.m., while the last train departs at 10:00 p.m.

A day-trip from Philadelphia to Washington would be relatively doable, as the total travel time averages around 2 hours. However, the cheapest ticket is $65, making it rather expensive for a day-trip — in which case you may prefer to take a bus. Buses take closer to 3 hours, but tickes are only $14.
The distance between Philadelphia and Washington DC is approximately 123 miles, or 198 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour 59 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 39 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

Trains from Philadelphia to Washington DC are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 Philadelphia at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. 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 36 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Philadelphia to Washington DC.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Washington DC to Philadelphia.

City Information

Philadelphia

We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?

Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Head to Reading Terminal Market to fuel up for a night hitting the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line South Street.

Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.

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 Philadelphia?

PHLTTH-0 - PHLTTH-0.jpg

Image credit: Ben Schumin

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

There is one train station in Philadelphia.

All train stations in Philadelphia:

  • 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

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

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