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.
Trip Summary
On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Indianapolis to Washington DC. The train trip from Indianapolis to Washington DC is usually about 23 hours and 33 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Cardinal train can get you there in as little as 18 hours and 29 minutes.
Distance | 491 mi (790 km) |
Fastest train | 18h 29m |
Lowest price | $70.00 |
Trains per day | 1 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 2 |
Price trends for trains from Indianapolis to Washington DC
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Indianapolis to Washington DC?
2 train services operate from Indianapolis to Washington. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 1 | 1d 1h 55m | $259.34 |
Amtrak Cardinal | 1 | 18h 29m | $145.21 |
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 Indianapolis to Washington every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $191.
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 Indianapolis to Washington per day, with an average trip length of 18 hours and 29 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Indianapolis and Washington DC is approximately 491 miles, or 790 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 23 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 18 hours and 29 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 Indianapolis 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Indianapolis at 12:00am and arrives in Washington DC around 18 hours later.
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 Indianapolis.
City Information
Indianapolis
Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.
Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.
Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.
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 Indianapolis?
Image credit: Panoramio upload bot
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 350 S Illinois St
Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.
All train stations in Indianapolis:
350 S Illinois St
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
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Washington DC to Indianapolis?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Indianapolis
- Indianapolis to Toronto
$162+
- Train from Indianapolis to Los Angeles
$412+
- Indianapolis to Denver Train
$263+
- Train from Indianapolis to Orlando
$403+
- Train from Indianapolis to Atlanta
$237+
- Train from Indianapolis to Chicago
$48+
- Indianapolis to Detroit
$117+
- Train from Indianapolis to Kansas City
$160+
- Indianapolis to St Louis Train
$89+
- Train from Indianapolis to West Glacier
$230+
- Train from Indianapolis to Charlotte
$202+
- Indianapolis to New York Train
$191+
- Indianapolis to Cincinnati Train
$43+
- Indianapolis to Philadelphia Train
$164+
- Train from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh
$197+
- Train from Indianapolis to Nashville
$197+
- Indianapolis to Seattle Train
$456+
- Train from Indianapolis to Milwaukee
$68+
Continue by train from Washington DC
- Washington D.C. to Montreal
$202+
- Washington D.C. to Los Angeles
$640+
- Washington D.C. to Hartford
$151+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Wilmington
$35+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Chicago
$202+
- Washington D.C. to Boston
$197+
- Washington D.C. to Baltimore Train
$14+
- Washington D.C. to Durham Train
$68+
- Washington D.C. to Greensboro Train
$79+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Raleigh
$67+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Wilmington
$128+
- Washington D.C. to Newark
$112+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New York
$122+
- Washington D.C. to Niagara Falls Train
$198+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh
$95+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Fredericksburg
$33+
- Washington D.C. to Richmond Train
$43+
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more
- Train Tickets
- United States
- District of Columbia
- Washington
- Indianapolis to Washington DC