Amtrak to Washington DC

Book tickets on Amtrak for a car-free trip to Washington D.C. Trains arrive in walking distance of the Capitol Building and National Mall, and you can easily transfer to many transit services, including taxis, rideshare, rental cars, the WMATA subway, and MARC commuter trains. Consider a trip in late March or early April to see the cherry blossoms.

You can board trains to D.C. in major cities on the East Coast (including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia), in the Midwest (including Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis), and in the South (including Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Charlotte, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Miami).

Learn more about the Amtrak routes and trains to Washington D.C. below, and view travel tips, travel times, and FAQ.

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Amtrak Routes to DC

Nine Amtrak routes travel to Washington D.C., including long-distance routes that offer private rooms. Click the links below to view stations on each route and other helpful information.

For specific route options from your starting location, use the “Book” feature on the Amtrak.com homepage. You may need to ride more than one Amtrak train to reach D.C. Common transfer locations include Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston.

Acela: Boston-Washington D.C.
Cardinal: Chicago-NYC
Carolinian: NYC-Charlotte
Crescent: NYC-New Orleans
Floridian: Chicago-Miami
Northeast Regional: East Coast
Palmetto: NYC-Savannah
Silver Meteor: NYC-Miami
Vermonter: Vermont-Washington D.C.

Train Travel Times

DC to/from Baltimore is 30-40 minutes.
DC to/from Richmond is about 2.5 hours.
DC to/from Atlanta is just over 14 hours.
DC to/from Chicago is about 17.5 hours via the Floridian.
DC to/from New York City is about 3 hours, faster if you book tickets on the Acela.
DC to/from Boston is over 8 hours on the Northeast Regional and about 7 hours on Acela.

FAQ

Can you take Amtrak to D.C.?

Yes, multiple Amtrak trains travel to Washington D.C. every day from cities across the eastern United States.

Where does Amtrak drop you off in D.C.?

Amtrak trains stop at Washington Union Station in the Capitol Hill neighborhood (view map). You can walk 15 minute walks to reach the Capitol Building and eastern end of the National Mall.

Should I take Amtrak or drive to D.C.?

Amtrak is the easiest option, with multiple train arrivals and departures every day. If you drive, you risk being stuck in traffic and dealing with a variety of parking hassles, from finding a spot to paying high daily fees at a hotel. You don’t need a car once you’re in Washington D.C. Rideshare and public transit make it easy to get around, and many hotels are in walking distance of attractions.

How much is the train ride from NYC to Washington D.C.?

Coach seats on the Northeast Regional typically cost $20-$50 one-way, which is the cheapest option. Prices vary based on how far in advance you book your ticket, demand, train departure time, and route. Tickets on the high-speed Acela train are more expensive, but travel time is reduced by about 40 minutes.