- Must visit
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Major art museum with wide-ranging collections and the famous steps. Worth visiting for both the galleries and the skyline views outside.
Cheapest price on 29 Aug
£14
Average ticket price on 29 Aug
£89
Fastest journey on 29 Aug
1 h 40 m
Average journey duration on 29 Aug
1 h 41 m
Trains on 29 Aug
30
Distance
199 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA will cost around £89 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £14.
On Sat 29 Aug, we found 30 trains from Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA, including 30 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 199 km distance in an average of 1 h 41 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 40 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 42 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.
66 Northeast Regional
128 Northeast Regional
146 Northeast Regional
168 Northeast Regional
126 Northeast Regional
2258 NextGen Acela
2252 Acela
2208 NextGen Acela
2250 Acela
2260 NextGen AcelaOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £21 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 8m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £21, while a flight costs an average of £324.
Distance: 199 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£30 Average Price | £21 Average Price Cheapest | £324 Average Price |
3h 8m Average total duration Fastest 2h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 39m Average total duration 3h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 15m Average total duration 1h 15m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.6 - 1.2kg 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 Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA trains for today, Friday 28 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
182 Northeast Regional | 9:29 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h02 | 11:31 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2108 NextGen Acela | 10:05 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h40 | 11:45 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
174 Northeast Regional | 10:35 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h53 | 12:28 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
84 Northeast Regional | 11:02 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h02 | 13:04 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2112 Acela | 11:50 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h41 | 13:31 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
134 Northeast Regional | 11:56 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h59 | 13:55 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2158 NextGen Acela | 12:50 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h45 | 14:35 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
184 Northeast Regional | 13:20 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h00 | 15:20 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2116 NextGen Acela | 13:55 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h42 | 15:37 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
94 Northeast Regional | 14:00 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h58 | 15:58 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
20 Crescent | 14:35 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h09 | 16:44 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2160 NextGen Acela | 14:50 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h41 | 16:31 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
148 Northeast Regional | 14:55 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h59 | 16:54 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2118 NextGen Acela | 15:25 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h45 | 17:10 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
176 Northeast Regional | 15:30 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h54 | 17:24 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
178 Northeast Regional | 15:56 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h58 | 17:54 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2162 NextGen Acela | 16:20 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h41 | 18:01 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
136 Northeast Regional | 17:00 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h53 | 18:53 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2120 NextGen Acela | 17:05 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h39 | 18:44 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
196 Northeast Regional | 18:08 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h55 | 20:03 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2124 NextGen Acela | 18:13 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h42 | 19:55 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
138 Northeast Regional | 18:35 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h56 | 20:31 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
192 Northeast Regional | 19:12 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h58 | 21:10 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
90 Palmetto | 19:57 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h57 | 21:54 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2128 NextGen Acela | 20:02 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h45 | 21:47 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
186 Northeast Regional | 20:30 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h00 | 22:30 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
198 Northeast Regional | 21:15 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h58 | 23:13 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
66 Northeast Regional | 22:00 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h22 | 0:22 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 29 August | |||||
2250 Acela | 4:48 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h42 | 6:30 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
160 Northeast Regional | 5:20 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h51 | 7:11 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
162 Northeast Regional | 6:16 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h01 | 8:17 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2252 Acela | 6:40 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h41 | 8:21 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
54 Vermonter | 7:28 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h54 | 9:22 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
2254 NextGen Acela | 7:46 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h47 | 9:33 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
152 Northeast Regional | 8:10 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h10 | 10:20 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, train 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 Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA run on average 32 times per day, taking around 2h 38m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £9 if you book in advance.
There are 32 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 199 km distance in 1h 41m.
Distance 199 km |
Average train duration 2h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price £9 |
Trains per day 32 |
Direct trains 32 |
Fastest train 1h 41m |
First train 0:04 |
Last train 23:58 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Philadelphia, PA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Philadelphia, PA trip today.
Major art museum with wide-ranging collections and the famous steps. Worth visiting for both the galleries and the skyline views outside.
Engaging science museum with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and family-friendly displays. Good for curious visitors of all ages.
Compact museum focused on Rodin sculptures in a peaceful Beaux-Arts setting. Ideal for a quieter art stop near the Parkway.
Historic square and green in the Old City area, surrounded by major independence sites. Useful as a starting point for walking the district.
Popular urban trail and park along the Delaware River with lawns, hammocks, seasonal attractions, and open river views.
Large riverside park with boat houses, trails, and skyline views. Excellent for walking, running, and seeing a greener side of the city.
A long roll filled with thinly sliced beef and melted cheese, often with fried onions. It is Philadelphia’s signature street-food sandwich.
A soft pretzel with a figure-of-eight shape and chewy texture, commonly sold by street vendors and bakeries across the city.
A roast pork sandwich with slow-roasted pork, sharp provolone and broccoli rabe. It is a classic Italian-American Philadelphia speciality.
Historic indoor market with many traders serving roast pork, pretzels, pastries and other Philadelphia staples in a lively casual setting.
Classic South Philadelphia sandwich shop best known for roast pork sandwiches with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone.
Established restaurant serving refined Pennsylvania Dutch and Mid-Atlantic cooking in an elegant but relaxed City Center dining room.
Moderate for US city breaks: hotels are often pricey, but dining and SEPTA fares are reasonable for tourists.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, more for excellent service. Taxis: 10-15%. Cafés: small change or $1 per drink is common.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia, PA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA trains use the Union Station to 30th Street Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
30th Street Station is 1 km from Philadelphia city centre. Public transport options include:
30th Street Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Bridgewater's Pub, The Porch at 30th Street Station
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at 30th Street Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at 30th Street Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at 30th Street Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at 30th Street Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at 30th Street Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include The Inn at Penn, a Hilton Hotel, Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel, The Study at University City.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need