- Must visit
National Air and Space Museum
Vast air and space museum displaying historic aircraft, spacecraft and interactive exhibits for all ages.
Cheapest price
£39
Average price
£103
Fastest journey
2 h 56 m
Average duration
2 h 58 m
Trains per day
40
Distance
328 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from New York, NY 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 New York, NY to Washington, DC will cost around £103 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £39.
Of the 40 trains that leave New York, NY for Washington, DC every day 40 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 328 km distance in an average of 2 h 58 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 56 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 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.
119 Northeast Regional
67 Northeast Regional
131 Northeast Regional
193 Northeast Regional
171 Northeast Regional
2155 NextGen Acela
2123 Acela
2103 NextGen Acela
2151 NextGen Acela
2131 NextGen AcelaOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from New York, NY to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £16. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 1m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £16, and a flight costs an average of £82.
Distance: 328 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£76 Average Price | £31 Average Price Cheapest | £181 Average Price |
4h 17m Average total duration 3h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 34m Average total duration 4h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 1m Average total duration Fastest 3h 1m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.0kg 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 New York, NY to Washington, DC trains for today, Monday 24 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
111 Northeast Regional | 4:50 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h41 | 8:31 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
181 Northeast Regional | 5:45 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h21 | 9:06 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
89 Palmetto | 6:02 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h44 | 9:46 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2103 NextGen Acela | 6:10 Penn Station, New York, NY | 2h59 | 9:09 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
113 Northeast Regional | 6:32 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h29 | 10:01 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
79 Carolinian | 7:04 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h58 | 11:02 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
183 Northeast Regional | 7:25 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h39 | 11:04 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2107 Acela | 7:35 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h01 | 10:36 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2109 NextGen Acela | 8:20 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h07 | 11:27 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
141 Northeast Regional | 8:23 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h24 | 11:47 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2151 NextGen Acela | 9:00 Penn Station, New York, NY | 2h59 | 11:59 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
185 Northeast Regional | 9:25 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h33 | 12:58 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2113 NextGen Acela | 10:00 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h00 | 13:00 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
95 Northeast Regional | 10:35 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h30 | 14:05 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2155 NextGen Acela | 11:06 Penn Station, New York, NY | 2h56 | 14:02 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
119 Northeast Regional | 11:16 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h36 | 14:52 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
125 Northeast Regional | 11:35 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h42 | 15:17 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2115 NextGen Acela | 11:55 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h05 | 15:00 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
131 Northeast Regional | 12:10 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h38 | 15:48 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
171 Northeast Regional | 12:40 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h48 | 16:28 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2159 NextGen Acela | 13:02 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h02 | 16:04 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
19 Crescent | 14:00 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h48 | 17:48 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
93 Northeast Regional | 14:02 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h31 | 17:33 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2119 NextGen Acela | 14:15 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h07 | 17:22 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
97 Silver Meteor | 14:30 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h56 | 18:26 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
85 Northeast Regional | 15:05 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h40 | 18:45 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2165 NextGen Acela | 15:16 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h10 | 18:26 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
173 Northeast Regional | 16:05 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h33 | 19:38 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2123 Acela | 16:13 Penn Station, New York, NY | 2h58 | 19:11 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
129 Northeast Regional | 16:24 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h37 | 20:01 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2167 Acela | 17:00 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h03 | 20:03 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
193 Northeast Regional | 17:47 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h40 | 21:27 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2127 NextGen Acela | 18:05 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h02 | 21:07 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
197 Northeast Regional | 18:09 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h23 | 21:32 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
137 Northeast Regional | 18:27 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h33 | 22:00 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
55 Vermonter | 18:45 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h22 | 22:07 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2171 Acela | 19:18 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h04 | 22:22 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
175 Northeast Regional | 19:52 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h27 | 23:19 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2131 NextGen Acela | 20:00 Penn Station, New York, NY | 3h00 | 23:00 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 New York, NY to Washington, DC run on average 34 times per day, taking around 3h 47m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £18 but you can travel from only £16 by coach.
There are 33 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:00, the last at 23:28. The fastest train covers the 328 km distance in 2h 58m.
Distance 328 km |
Average train duration 3h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price £18 |
Trains per day 34 |
Direct trains 33 |
Fastest train 2h 58m |
First train 3:00 |
Last train 23:28 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 42 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
There are plenty of options when you are looking for trains from New York City to Washington DC, so you should be able to find a journey that matches your schedule. There are up to 29 trains that travel between the two cities on a daily basis, depending on which day of the week you depart, meaning there is a comprehensive timetable to pick from. With trains from early in the morning to late at night, you can travel at a time suitable for you. Trains take in the region of 3h 18min, so it won't be long before you're in the capital city.
On weekdays, there are around 29 New York City to Washington DC trains with departures from about 03:00 to around 22:00. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are about 22 trains each day, with the first departure at approximately 03:00. The last train on a Saturday departs at about 21:00, whilst on a Sunday, it leaves at around 19:00.
When you get a train to Washington DC from New York City, it will take around 3h 18min from Monday to Friday, about 3h 34min on a Saturday and in the region of 3h 25min on a Sunday. The fastest train on a weekday tends to take about 2h 54min, whilst on weekends it's slightly slower at about 2h 58min. All the trains on this service are direct, too, so you can sit back and enjoy the trip. Whilst you're travelling, you can check out the The Window Seat if you want some inspiration for more travel locations.

Trains from New York City to Washington DC: friends enjoying the view of New York City. Source: Shutterstock
Departure train station:Trains depart from Penn Station in the heart of Manhattan. You can get to the station from popular landmarks such as the Empire State Building in about 6min on the M34-SBS bus. Before you travel, you can access a food court, toilets and premium lounges at the train station.
Arrival train station:Trains arrive at Union Station, which is conveniently located close to popular tourist areas. For instance, you can walk to the United States Capitol in around 13min. At the station, you can visit shops, grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants and even hire a car.
The company operating the train from New York City to Washington DC is Amtrak. With about 29 trains daily on weekdays and 22 trains each day on weekends, there is a great selection of departures for you to pick from. In general, trains take about 3h 18min to reach their destination. All train services offered on this route are direct, so you do not have to change during the journey.
There are no night trains from New York City to Washington DC. However, there are departures early in the morning and also trains that arrive late at night. For example, you can travel as early as about 03:00 from New York City, arriving at Washington DC at about 06:30. Alternatively, you can depart just after 22:00 and arrive at close to 02:00.
The Amtrak train from New York City to Washington DC offers a frequent and reliable service throughout the week, making this a great service to travel with. You can normally expect about 29 trains daily on weekdays and 22 on Saturdays and Sundays. The first departure on a weekday tends to be at about 03:00, with the last departure at approximately 22:00. On Saturdays and Sundays, the earliest train leaves at about 03:00, with the final departure at about 21:00 on Saturdays and around 19:00 on Sundays. Trains take in the region of 3h 18min during the week, around 3h 34min on Saturdays and approximately 3h 25min on Sundays. The fastest train to complete this route does so in approximately 2h 54min. As this is a direct train from New York City to Washington DC, you will not have to transfer during your journey.
Train travel tends to be one of the most sustainable ways to travel between New York City and Washington DC. Compared to trips by bus, car or plane, this mode of transport releases fewer carbon emissions per passenger. It is also beneficial to the environment as it produces less noise pollution, allowing local wildlife to flourish.
On a train to Washington DC from New York City with Amtrak, you can enjoy great facilities. First Class offers you premium amenities and complimentary food, although all seating is comfortable and spacious for the journey no matter what class you travel in. You can take two pieces of luggage on board free of charge, each of which should not be heavier than 50lbs (23kg). The size of these bags cannot exceed 28 x 22 x 14 inches either, so be sure to check before you travel. You can take your bicycle on board for an additional charge, but this should be reserved in advance as there is limited space. You are also allowed to take dogs and cats on the train, providing they are not heavier than 20lbs (9kg). If you are travelling with a mobility issue or disability, you can contact Amtrak in advance, and they will offer assistance throughout your trip.
You can get cheap tickets from New York City to Washington DC if you book in advance. Train tickets tend to get more expensive the closer you get to the day of travel, so it's always wise to make arrangements in good time. Having flexibility is also beneficial as you may find that tickets a few hours on either side of your preferred travel time are cheaper.

Trains from New York City to Washingtong DC: The Capitol in Washington DC. Source: Shutterstock
Washington DC is a great city to visit, with loads of interesting things to see and do. Before you arrive, put an itinerary together so that you don't miss out on any of the best bits. Start your trip at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, which has a range of exhibits, including the first accurate dinosaur skeleton. Then head over to the US Capitol, which is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. The Lincoln Memorial is also a must-see – it is an impressive sculpture of the former president. If you like art, then you should check out the National Gallery of Art with its vast range of art spanning all major periods. A great place to go with kids is the National Air and Space Museum, which takes a look back at aviation history. The National Mall is something we've all seen on TV, but now it's your chance to see it in real life. Finish off your trip at the National Portrait Gallery, which has a range of presidential portraits.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from New York, NY 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 New York, NY to Washington, DC trains use the Penn Station to Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare New York, NY and Washington, DC train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Penn Station is 4 km from New York city centre. Public transport options include:
Penn Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Blue Bottle Coffee, Magnolia Bakery, Starbucks, The Pennsy Food Hall, Nick + Stef's Steakhouse, Penn & Sushi, Krispy Kreme Donuts, T.G.I. Friday's, NY Pizza Suprema, Blarney Stone, & many more
Free Wi-Fi available in Moynihan Train Hall. ATMs are there are ATMs in various locations around the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 05:00-22:00. Information desks are located on the connecting concourse near Tracks 18-19.
Luggage storage is baggage assistance is provided by Red Caps, open 24/7 at Penn and open from 05:00 to 23:00 at Moynihan Train Hall. .
Available at Penn Station: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Penn Station: Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Penn Station: Accessible facilities including restroom, parking, elevators, and ramps. Additional assistance available at ticket counters or by asking uniformed employees.
Nearby hotels include The New Yorker at Wyndham Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Chelsea, Hilton Garden Inn West 35th Street.
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