Cheap train tickets from Madison to Los Angeles

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Madison to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from Madison to Los Angeles usually takes 71 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 70 hours and 37 minutes.

Distance
1668 mi (2684 km)
Fastest train
70h 37m
Lowest price
TRY 15,128.24
Trains per day
0
Most frequent service
Amtrak
Train lines
1

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Madison to Los Angeles Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Madison to Los Angeles?

There are usually 10 daily bus trips available from Madison to Los Angeles.

Train
Bus
Avg. PriceTRY 15,485.95Avg. PriceTRY 14,813.47Cheaper
Daily Trips1Daily Trips10
Duration71h 17mDuration57h 40mFaster
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Price trends for trains from Madison to Los Angeles

Average train ticket prices from Madison to Los Angeles by travel date

TRY 11,040TRY 7,360TRY 3,680Oct

Average train ticket prices from Madison to Los Angeles by month

TRY 19,250TRY 15,400TRY 11,550TRY 7,700TRY 3,850JFMAMJJASOND

Prices as travel date approaches

TRY 16,750TRY 13,400TRY 10,050TRY 6,700TRY 3,350

Which train should you take from Madison to Los Angeles?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Madison to Los Angeles. 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.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak171h 17mTRY 15,486.11
  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from Madison to Los Angeles every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from TRY 11,028.97.

    Amtrak train passing through mountains, offering affordable train tickets for scenic rail travel - WanderuModern Amtrak train at a station, providing cheap train travel and convenient Amtrak tickets - WanderuAmtrak train speeding through scenic fall foliage, featuring cheap train tickets for long-distance trips - WanderuInterior view of a table in the dining car of an Amtrak train - WanderuInterior view of the dining car on an Amtrak train. Find affordable train tickets on - WanderuClean and spacious Amtrak bathroom, offering convenience and comfort for passengers during long train journeys with cheap Amtrak tickets - WanderuAmtrak power outlet for charging devices, providing convenience for passengers during affordable travel with cheap train tickets - WanderuComfortable Amtrak seats with ample legroom, ideal for relaxing during long journeys with cheap Amtrak tickets - WanderuSpacious Amtrak seats with reclining options, offering comfort and convenience for passengers on affordable train travel - WanderuAmtrak viewing car seats with large windows, offering panoramic views and comfort for passengers enjoying scenic routes with affordable train tickets - Wanderu

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Madison to Los Angeles

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Madison to Los Angeles for TRY 8,586.

Trains per day

1

Direct trains

0

The distance between Madison and Los Angeles is approximately 1668 miles, or 2684 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 71 hours and 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 70 hours and 37 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)

1668

Distance (km)

2684

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Madison at 8:50am and arrives in Los Angeles around 70 hours later.

First train

8:50am

Last train

10:50am

Trains from Madison to Los Angeles 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.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Madison

MSI-0MSI-1MSI-2

Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

Los Angeles

LAX-0LAX-1LAX-2

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Madison?

Main departure station: Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot

Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot  - MSIAMT3-0

The Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a parking lot where travelers can catch local Madison Metro buses throughout the city, as well as intercity buses on Amtrak Thruway heading to destinations like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee. For those parking before riding, the lot has both daily and overnight parking available for free. Although there is no station building, bus shelters line the bus lanes, and there is easy access to the next-door gas station and Arby’s, where you can grab a bite or hang out indoors before the bus arrives. The Dutch Mill Park & Ride is a few miles outside of downtown Madison, but several convenience stores, restaurants, and hotels are still in the direct vicinity.

All train stations in Madison:

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Main arrival station: Union Station

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

All train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

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