- 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 18 Sept
£9
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£23
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
1 h 30 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
1 h 34 m
Trains on 18 Sept
9
Distance
159 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Wilmington, DE 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 Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC will cost around £23 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £9.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 9 trains from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC, including 9 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 159 km distance in an average of 1 h 34 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 30 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 38 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 train as it is the most popular option from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £12 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 0m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £12, while a flight costs an average of £250.
Distance: 159 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£12 Average Price Cheapest | £16 Average Price | £250 Average Price | £21 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 9m Average total duration 2h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 4m Average total duration 2h 4m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC:
A train is £4 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC costing on average £16.
A train is £238 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC costing on average £250.
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Flight takes on average 2h 4m.
Coach takes on average 2h 39m.
The journey is about 44m faster (1h 30m by train vs 2h 14m by car) and roughly £9 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£12 vs £21). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Amtrak, Amtrak.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2159 | 14:33 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h26 | 15:59 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
171 | 14:39 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h49 | 16:28 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2119 | 15:32 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h29 | 17:01 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
93 | 15:53 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h40 | 17:33 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
19 | 16:02 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h46 | 17:48 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2163 | 16:12 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h25 | 17:37 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
97 | 16:42 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h44 | 18:26 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2165 | 16:53 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h33 | 18:26 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
85 | 16:58 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h47 | 18:45 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
173 | 17:54 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h44 | 19:38 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
129 | 18:21 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h40 | 20:01 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2167 | 18:32 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h31 | 20:03 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
193 | 19:44 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h43 | 21:27 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
197 | 19:56 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h36 | 21:32 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
137 | 20:19 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h41 | 22:00 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 0:23 Wilmington, DE | 1h35 | 1:58 Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
| Thursday 17 September | |||||
55 | 20:32 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h35 | 22:07 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
![]() | 0:32 Wilmington, DE | 1h30 | 2:02 Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 0:36 Wilmington, DE | 1h30 | 2:06 Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
| Thursday 17 September | |||||
2171 | 20:53 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h29 | 22:22 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
2131 | 21:31 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h29 | 23:00 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
175 | 21:44 Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h35 | 23:19 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
![]() | 1:47 Wilmington, DE | 1h43 | 3:30 Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 1:48 Wilmington, DE | 1h35 | 3:23 Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:11 Wilmington, DE | 1h43 | 10:54 Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:20 Wilmington, DE | 1h38 | 10:58 Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:11 Wilmington, DE | 1h43 | 11:54 Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 16:03 Wilmington, DE | 1h38 | 17:41 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 Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC run on average 31 times per day, taking around 1h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £9 if you book in advance.
There are 31 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:10, the last at 23:32. The fastest train covers the 159 km distance in 1h 29m.
Distance 159 km |
Average train duration 1h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price £9 |
Trains per day 31 |
Direct trains 31 |
Fastest train 1h 29m |
First train 0:10 |
Last train 23:32 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 3 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 Wilmington, DE 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 Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC trains use the Wilmington Station to Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Wilmington Station is 1 km from Wilmington city centre. Public transport options include:
Wilmington Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Mikimotos Asian Grill & Sushi Bar, La Fia Bistro
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Wilmington Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Wilmington Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Wilmington Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Wilmington Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Wilmington Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel du Pont, Sheraton Suites Wilmington Downtown, Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington 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