Cheap train tickets from Philadelphia to Detroit
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:
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Philadelphia to Detroit?
There are usually 8 daily bus trips available from Philadelphia to Detroit.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price€96.61 | Avg. Price€223.52 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips8 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration20h 6m | Duration21h 35m |
Trip Summary
5 trains operate daily from Philadelphia to Detroit. The train trip from Philadelphia to Detroit is usually about 21 hours and 50 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 18 hours and 27 minutes.
Distance | 442 mi (711 km) |
Fastest train | 18h 27m |
Lowest price | €147.01 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |

What is the price of a train ticket from Philadelphia to Detroit?
The average price for a train ticket from Philadelphia to Detroit is €176.60, Tickets are generally pricier for this train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. By booking your trip at least 29 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay €99.68 more.
Average train ticket prices from Philadelphia to Detroit by month
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Philadelphia to Detroit. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 29 days before departure, you can save around €99.68. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from Philadelphia to Detroit?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Philadelphia to Detroit. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 5 | 21h 51m | €242.38 |
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 Philadelphia to Detroit every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €147.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Philadelphia to Detroit
The distance between Philadelphia and Detroit is approximately 442 miles, or 711 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 21 hours and 50 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 18 hours and 27 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.
Trains from Philadelphia to Detroit are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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.
The earliest train departs Philadelphia at 11:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 12:00pm. 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 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 Detroit 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.
Detroit



Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travelers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Art, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.
As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favorite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.
The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travelers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Philadelphia?

Image credit: Ben Schumin
Link to image attributionMain 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 Detroit?

Image credit: JasonParis
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 11 W Baltimore Ave
Detroit’s Amtrak station connects Motor City with the nation’s rail network via three daily trains on the Amtrak Wolverine, which runs from Chicago to Pontiac, Michigan. Bus service on Miller Transportation also operates from the Amtrak Station on 11 W Baltimore Avenue, and from the adjacent platform, travelers can connect to the QLine streetcar system. The station’s amenities include clean restrooms, vending machines, and onsite customer service staff. Thanks to its location in the New Center neighborhood, the Amtrak station is surrounded by various restaurants and is one block away from the historic landmark, Cadillac Place.
All train stations in Detroit:
11 W Baltimore Ave
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Detroit to Philadelphia?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Philadelphia
- Philadelphia to San Francisco Train
€470+
- Train from Philadelphia to Bridgeport
€94+
- Philadelphia to Washington D.C. Train
€58+
- Philadelphia to Boston Train
€145+
- Train from Philadelphia to Baltimore
€45+
- Philadelphia to New Carrollton
€50+
- Train from Philadelphia to St Louis
€266+
- Train from Philadelphia to Greensboro
€125+
- Philadelphia to Atlantic City Train
€10+
- Philadelphia to Newark
€46+
- Philadelphia to New Brunswick Train
€46+
- Philadelphia to New York Train
€49+
- Philadelphia to Niagara Falls
€152+
- Philadelphia to Columbus Train
€174+
- Train from Philadelphia to Exton
€11+
- Train from Philadelphia to Middletown
€30+
- Train from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh
€68+
- Philadelphia to Greenville Train
€180+
Continue by train from Detroit
- Detroit to Toronto Train
€108+
- Train from Detroit to Little Rock
€175+
- Train from Detroit to San Diego
€272+
- Train from Detroit to Orlando
€246+
- Train from Detroit to Bangor
€97+
- Train from Detroit to Petoskey
€74+
- Detroit to Traverse City
€66+
- Train from Detroit to Kansas City
€163+
- Train from Detroit to New York
€212+
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
- Michigan
- Detroit
- Philadelphia to Detroit