Train from Chicago to Washington, DC, US: Tickets & Timetables

Next departures

Next departures from Chicago to Washington on 27 January
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Amtrak
Chicago (Union Station), IL
Union StationCheapest
Amtrak
Chicago (Union Station), IL
Union StationFastest
Amtrak
Chicago (Union Station), IL
Union StationNo tags
Amtrak
Chicago (Union Station), IL
Union StationNo tags
Amtrak
Chicago (Union Station), IL
Union StationNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 1:56 PM CST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Chicago to Washington

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Bus stands out as a good way to reach Washington. The journey takes about 21 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just R 1 065, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

38bus per day
21h 20mAverage duration
949 kmDistance
24kgCO₂ emissions
Average priceR 1 065 - R 7 890Average duration21h 20m
24kg CO₂e
Average priceR 1 230 - R 41 688Average duration23h 48m
87kg CO₂e

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Chicago to Washington, DC, US by train

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.

  1. How much is the train ticket from Chicago to Washington?

    The cheapest train tickets from Chicago to Washington start from R 1 230. The average price for this train route is around R 2 611. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

  2. How long is the train journey from Chicago to Washington?

    The average train journey time from Chicago to Washington is 23h 48m, covering a distance of 959 km. The quickest train can get you there in 17h 30m and is operated by Amtrak.

  3. Which train operators serve the Chicago to Washington route?

    Several major train operators run on this route, with 3 trains available per day.

  4. What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Chicago to Washington?

    The earliest train from Chicago to Washington departs at 17:55. And the latest train departs at 21:30.

Find cheapest prices for trains

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found
24/01
R 2 882
25/01
R 4 710
Today
R 3 524
27/01
R 2 404
28/01
R 2 404
29/01
R 2 009
30/01
R 2 404
31/01
R 2 404
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Chicago to Washington, DC, US was searched and found on 29 Jan 2026 with a price of R 2 009

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Chicago to Washington, DC, US as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from R 2 009 to R 34 002 for a train ticket from Chicago to Washington, DC, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 2 009, which is on 2026-01-29.

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