- Must visit
National Air and Space Museum
Vast air and space museum displaying historic aircraft, spacecraft and interactive exhibits for all ages.
Cheapest price on 02 Sept
£43
Average ticket price on 02 Sept
£48
Fastest journey on 02 Sept
7 h 4 m
Average journey duration on 02 Sept
7 h 29 m
Trains on 02 Sept
3
Distance
362 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Durham, NC to Washington, DC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Durham, NC to Washington, DC will cost around £48 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £43.
On Wed 02 Sept, we found 3 trains from Durham, NC to Washington, DC, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 362 km distance in an average of 7 h 29 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 4 m .
The slowest trains will take 8 h 19 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Durham, NC to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £41 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 12m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £41, while a flight costs an average of £217.
Distance: 362 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£81 Average Price | £41 Average Price Cheapest | £217 Average Price |
7h 32m Average total duration 7h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 31m Average total duration 6h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 12m Average total duration Fastest 1h 12m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 1.1 - 2.2kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Durham, NC to Washington, DC trains for today, Tuesday 1 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
80 Carolinian | 9:52 Durham Station, Durham, NC | 7h04 | 16:56 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Durham, NC to Washington, DC run on average 1 times per day, taking around 7h 2m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £44 but you can travel from only £28 by coach.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 08:24, the last at 14:48. The fastest train covers the 362 km distance in 6h 54m.
Distance 362 km |
Average train duration 7h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price £44 |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 6h 54m |
First train 8:24 |
Last train 14:48 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Washington, DC — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Washington, DC trip today.
Vast air and space museum displaying historic aircraft, spacecraft and interactive exhibits for all ages.
Museum exploring the history, culture and contributions of African Americans through powerful exhibitions.
Leading art museum with European and American masterpieces, sculpture garden and free permanent collection.
Grand landscaped park linking memorials, museums and monuments, ideal for walking and classic city views.
Historic waterfront district with cobbled streets, canal paths, shops and scenic walks by the Potomac.
Vibrant neighbourhood known for murals, music venues, independent shops and one of the city’s liveliest streets.
Half-smoke sausage, usually smoked pork and beef, served on a bun with chilli and toppings. It is a long-standing Washington street food linked to the city’s carry-outs.
Mumbo sauce is a sweet, tangy, slightly spicy condiment popular with fried chicken and chips in Washington carry-outs. It is a distinctive local takeaway staple.
Jumbo slice is an oversized pizza slice sold late at night in Washington, especially around nightlife areas. It is a local post-night-out food ritual.
Polished American dining with a focus on seasonal produce and Chesapeake influences. Sophisticated setting suited to a celebratory meal.
Refined Mid-Atlantic seafood restaurant known for oyster dishes, crab, and seasonal ingredients. Elegant but approachable atmosphere in Penn Quarter.
Beloved bakery and café serving Ethiopian coffee, pastries, and light meals. Relaxed community feel in Adams Morgan.
Washington is pricier than many US cities for hotels and dining near central sights, though museums are often free and public transport is reasonably priced.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants if service is not included, $1-2 per drink at bars, 10-15% for taxis, and spare change or up to 10% in cafés.
Official public transport app
Washington Union Station -> Metro Center, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Durham, NC to Washington, DC by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Washington, DC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Durham, NC to Washington, DC trains use the Durham Station to Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Durham, NC and Washington, DC train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Durham Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Parker and Otis, Dame's Chicken & Waffles
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Durham Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Durham Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Durham Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Durham Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Durham Station: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include Durham Marriott City Center, 21c Museum Hotel Durham, Aloft Durham Downtown.
Union Station is 2 km from Washington city centre. Public transport options include:
Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Shake Shack, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Chopt Creative Salad Co., Chipotle Mexican Grill, Thunder Grill, Johnny Rockets, Jamba Juice, Ladurée Union Station, & many more
Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak. ATMs are there are 2 ATM machines located on Level G.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00, Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00. Information desks are located on the train concourse of Level G near the Amtrak Waiting Area.
Luggage storage is amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
Nearby hotels include Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill, Phoenix Park Hotel, Kimpton George Hotel.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need