The cheapest and fastest trains from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC
Cheapest price
£13
Average price
£40
Fastest journey
2 h 20 m
Average duration
2 h 24 m
Trains per day
11
Distance
154 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Richmond, VA 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 Richmond, VA to Washington, DC will cost around £40 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £13.
Of the 11 trains that leave Richmond, VA for Washington, DC every day 10 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 154 km distance in an average of 2 h 24 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 20 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 29 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.
138 Northeast Regional15:062h36Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA17:42Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£131One-way0 changes
86 Northeast Regional5:542h24Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA8:18Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£251One-way0 changes
86 Northeast Regional5:192h59Main Street Station, Richmond, VA8:18Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£261One-way0 changes
94 Northeast Regional11:012h22Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA13:23Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£321One-way0 changes
186 Northeast Regional17:262h29Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA19:55Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£321One-way0 changes
40 Floridian12:522h20Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA15:12Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£491One-way0 changes
94 Northeast Regional11:012h22Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA13:23Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£321One-way0 changes
86 Northeast Regional5:542h24Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA8:18Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£251One-way0 changes
80 Carolinian14:042h27Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA16:31Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£491One-way0 changes
186 Northeast Regional17:262h29Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA19:55Washington Union Station, Washington, DC£321One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Richmond, VA to Washington, DC
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £11. For those with little time consider booking a coach which can get you there in 2h 14m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £11, and a flight costs an average of £107.
Distance: 154 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£24 Average Price | £20 Average Price Cheapest | £299 Average Price |
2h 57m Average total duration 2h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 44m Average total duration Fastest 2h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 43m Average total duration 2h 43m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 0.9kg 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.
Live departures
Richmond, VA to Washington, DC train times
The table below shows live departures for Richmond, VA to Washington, DC trains for today, Tuesday 14 July. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
94 Northeast Regional | 11:01 Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 2h22 | 13:23 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
40 Floridian | 12:52 Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 2h20 | 15:12 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
80 Carolinian | 14:04 Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 2h27 | 16:31 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
138 Northeast Regional | 15:06 Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 2h36 | 17:42 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
90 Palmetto | 16:41 Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 2h29 | 19:10 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
186 Northeast Regional | 16:51 Main Street Station, Richmond, VA | 3h04 | 19:55 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
186 Northeast Regional | 17:26 Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 2h29 | 19:55 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
| Wednesday 15 July | |||||
98 Silver Meteor | 3:52 Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 2h33 | 6:25 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
86 Northeast Regional | 5:19 Main Street Station, Richmond, VA | 2h59 | 8:18 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
86 Northeast Regional | 5:54 Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 2h24 | 8:18 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Richmond, VA to Washington, DC by train, coach or flight
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.
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC
Trains from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC run on average 12 times per day, taking around 2h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £12 but you can travel from only £11 by coach.
There are 12 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:52, the last at 19:27. The fastest train covers the 154 km distance in 2h 14m.
Distance 154 km |
Average train duration 2h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Trains per day 12 |
Direct trains 12 |
Fastest train 2h 14m |
First train 3:52 |
Last train 19:27 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Train companies: Amtrak from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Richmond, VA and Washington, DC from £11. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Richmond, VA to Washington, DC train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Richmond, VA 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.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Richmond, VA and Washington, DC
Most Richmond, VA to Washington, DC trains use the Staples Mill Road Station to Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Richmond, VA and Washington, DC train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Which Richmond, VA station do trains to Washington, DC leave from?
Getting to Staples Mill Road Station from Richmond city centre
Staples Mill Road Station is 7 km from Richmond city centre. Public transport options include:
Staples Mill Road Station train station facilities and services
Staples Mill Road Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Staples Mill Road Station.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Staples Mill Road Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Staples Mill Road Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Staples Mill Road Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Staples Mill Road Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Staples Mill Road Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Getting to Main Street Station from Richmond city centre
Main Street Station is 3 km from Richmond city centre. Public transport options include:
Main Street Station train station facilities and services
Main Street 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 and drink
Food options include: The Roosevelt, Lemaire Restaurant
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Main Street Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Main Street Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Main Street Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Main Street Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Main Street Station: Ramps.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include The Berkeley Hotel, Omni Richmond Hotel, The Commonwealth.
Which Washington, DC station do trains from Richmond, VA arrive at?
Getting to Union Station from Washington city centre
Union Station is 2 km from Washington city centre. Public transport options include:
Union Station train station facilities and services
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 and drink
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
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak. ATMs are there are 2 ATM machines located on Level G.
Tickets and information
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 and lost property
Luggage storage is amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis.
Bike and car services
Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill, Phoenix Park Hotel, Kimpton George Hotel.
More options for your journey from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC
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