Cheap train tickets from Madison to Cincinnati
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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Madison to Cincinnati. Traveling by train from Madison to Cincinnati usually takes 15 hours and 17 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 15 hours and 7 minutes.
| Distance | 374 mi (602 km) |
| Fastest train | 15h 7m |
| Lowest price | $118.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
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Madison to Cincinnati Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Madison to Cincinnati?
There are usually 4 daily bus trips available from Madison to Cincinnati.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$137.25 | Avg. Price$99.14Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration15h 17m | Duration13h 14mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from Madison to Cincinnati:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Madison to Cincinnati?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Madison to Cincinnati was $120.00. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 11 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $27.50 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Madison to Cincinnati by travel date
The cost of a one-way train trip from Madison to Cincinnati is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about $104 for your ticket.
Average train ticket prices from Madison to Cincinnati by month
Ticket prices for the train from Madison to Cincinnati often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only $117. If you're thinking of traveling from Madison to Cincinnati during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $140 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Madison to Cincinnati on Wanderu at least 11 days ahead of time, you can save about $27.50 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Madison to Cincinnati?
There are multiple trains that travel from Madison to Cincinnati, including Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 15h 17m | $137.25 |
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 Cincinnati every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $118.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Madison to Cincinnati
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. You can also take a train for your return trip from Cincinnati to Madison. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Madison to Cincinnati for $63.
TRIPS PER DAY
1
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The distance between Madison and Cincinnati is approximately 374 miles, or 602 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 15 hours and 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 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)
374
DISTANCE (KM)
602
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Madison at 11:00am and arrives in Cincinnati around 15 hours later.
EARLIEST TRAIN
11:00am
LATEST TRAIN
11:20am
Trains from Madison to Cincinnati 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Thursday
LEAST CROWDED
Tuesday
City Information
Madison
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.
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.
Station Information
Where does the train leave from in Madison?
Main departure station: Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
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 does the train arrive in Cincinnati?
Main arrival 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
Need a return trip from Cincinnati to Madison?
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