How much does a train ticket from Chicago to Washington cost?

The average train ticket price from Chicago to Washington is $172. The best way to find train tickets from Chicago to Washington is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!

How long is the train trip from Chicago to Washington?

A train trip between Chicago and Washington is around 23h 49m, although the fastest train will take about 17h 25m. This is the time it takes to travel the 594 miles that separates the two cities.

How many daily trains are there between Chicago and Washington?

The number of trains from Chicago to Washington can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 3. Some trains are direct while others have layovers. Simplify your train trip from Chicago to Washington by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

What are the best sights and things to do in Washington?

Once in Washington, you can exploring the city. The top sights and things to do are Arlington National Cemetery, Washington National Cathedral, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of American History, United States Capitol.

Trains from Chicago to Washington (DC), US | Amtrak

TodayMay 6

from $248

TomorrowMay 7

from $206

ThuMay 8

from $170

FriMay 9

from $170

SatMay 10

from $170

SunMay 11

from $118

MonMay 12

from $159

TueMay 13

Trains leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
Departure time: May 7 at 6:40pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 8 at 1:05pm
Destination city: Washington
Destination location: Union Station
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 17h 25m
Departure time: May 7 at 6:40pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 8 at 1:05pm
Destination city: Washington
Destination location: Union Station
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 17h 25m
Departure time: May 7 at 6:40pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 8 at 7:37pm
Destination city: Washington
Destination location: Union Station
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 23h 57m
Departure time: May 7 at 6:40pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 8 at 7:37pm
Destination city: Washington
Destination location: Union Station
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 23h 57m
Departure time: May 7 at 6:40pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Arrival time: May 8 at 7:37pm
Destination city: Washington
Destination location: Union Station
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: TrainDuration: 23h 57m

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to Washington.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$65 - $298	Average Duration23h 35m	CO₂ emissions 24kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestFastestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$100 - $345	Average Duration23h 49m	CO₂ emissions 87kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Chicago to Washington

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Washington. The journey takes about 23 hours 35 minutes and with fares starting at just $65, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

23bus per day

23h 35mAverage Duration

$65Cheapest ticket

24kgCO₂ emissions

Train Chicago to Washington: Trip Overview

Please note, this information is subject to change.

Average ticket price$172

Average train trip duration23h 49m

Number of daily trains3

Earliest train departure5:55pm

Distance595 miles (959 km)

Latest train departure9:30pm

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55,098 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

According to customer feedback, Amtrak has been praised for its overall service quality. However, there have been concerns raised about significant delays causing inconvenience and stress. Some passengers also mentioned issues with the cafe's snack options not meeting expectations.

Amtrak Chicago Washington recent customer reviews

I'm not happy about the almost 2hours delay. It created unnecessary anxiety and led to stress. Will appreciate it if Amtrak us always on time as I experienced over 1hour delay on August 22nd from UTICA TO CHICAGO which is unnecessary.

Gafaru O.

August 31, 2023

The train was an hour late and the cafe lacked the one advertised snack that I could eat (vegetables with hummus) so I went hungry. They also served Lipton as if it was tea for people to drink. Otherwise, everything else was good.

Chip C.

December 27, 2022

Train and bus companies in US:Amtrak, Brightline

Chicago to Washington Train

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a train from Chicago to Washington is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of train fares and train schedules to find the best deals.

We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable companies that offer train service from Chicago to Washington.

From train tickets to high-end trains trip from Chicago to Washington, we offer a wide range of train services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Chicago and Washington?

Stops in Chicago

A - Union Station

Stops in Washington

A - Union Station

Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - Washington

How much does a train ticket from Chicago to Washington cost?
How long is the train trip from Chicago to Washington?
How many daily trains are there between Chicago and Washington?
What are the best sights and things to do in Washington?

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

05/04

$206

05/05

$206

Today

$248

05/07

$206

05/08

$170

05/09

$170

05/10

$170

05/11

$118

The cheapest trip from Chicago to Washington was searched and found on May 11, 2025 with a price of $118

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, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $118 to $1,049 for a train ticket from Chicago to Washington based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $118 which is on 2025-05-11.

About Train Travel

Train Travel Tips

Taking the fastest trains allows you to travel at speeds greater than 300 km/h. Taking a trip from Chicago to Washington is not only much quicker but more comfortable too! You can usually travel directly to the city centre and save time while you're at it.

Whether you take a regional or high-speed train to Washington, you’ll help reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of your trip. As you watch the landscapes unfold before your eyes, you can tell yourself that with this choice, you are making sure they remain protected.

The train emits up to 30x less CO2 for a trip between Chicago and Washington compared to the same trip made by plane or car. A truly ecological mode of transport that will allow you to easily reduce your carbon footprint.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized train travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Chicago to Washington.

Did you know?

Railway companies played a major role as early as 1883 in the use of time zones as we know them today.

New York holds the record for the most platforms and track numbers in a single station. Grand Central Station in Manhattan is one of the largest rail terminals in the world with more than 44 platforms and 67 tracks to accommodate passengers.

Some trains in Sweden can recover more than a fifth of the energy they use by braking. This is especially true with ore trains as they descend from Narvik to Kiruna.

Will you be returning to Chicago by train?

Train from Washington to Chicago

Top Traveled Train Routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Trains tickets from Chicago to Washington (DC), US

One passenger / one way

Trains leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to Washington.

Train Chicago to Washington: Trip Overview

Train Companies

Amtrak Chicago Washington recent customer reviews

Chicago to Washington Train

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Chicago and Washington?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - Washington

How much does a train ticket from Chicago to Washington cost?

How long is the train trip from Chicago to Washington?

How many daily trains are there between Chicago and Washington?

What are the best sights and things to do in Washington?

Find cheapest prices for trains

About Train Travel

Train Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Chicago by train?

Top Traveled Train Routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Trains Connecting Chicago

Trains Leaving from Chicago

Popular Trains Connecting Washington

Trains Going to Washington

Popular train trips

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