- Must visit
Philadelphia Museum of Art
World-class art museum famous for major collections and the Rocky Steps. A top cultural stop with strong city views.
Cheapest price
€57
Average price
€136
Fastest journey
1 h 39 m
Average duration
1 h 40 m
Trains per day
51
Distance
198 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA will cost around €136 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €57.
Of the 51 trains that leave Bethesda, MD for Philadelphia, PA on Thu, Aug 13, 47 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 13 the direct trains cover the 198 km distance in an average of 1 h 40 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 39 m .
On Thu, Aug 13 the slowest trains will take 1 h 41 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.
134 Northeast Regional
148 Northeast Regional
86 Northeast Regional
84 Northeast Regional
174 Northeast Regional
2120 NextGen Acela
2108 NextGen Acela
2112 Acela
2152 Acela
2160 NextGen AcelaOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €10. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 8m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €10, and a flight costs an average of €176.
Distance: 123 miles (198 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€29 Average price Cheapest | €32 Average price | €332 Average price | €30 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 3m Average total duration 2h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 4m Average total duration 5h 4m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA:
A train is €4 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA costing on average €32.
A train is €303 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA costing on average €332.
Other travel options to Philadelphia, PA take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 33m.
Flight takes on average 5h 4m.
The journey is about 16m faster (2h 8m by train vs 2h 24m by car) and roughly €2 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (€29 vs €30). 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 Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA trains for tomorrow, Thursday, August 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2150 Acela | 4:47 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h41 | 6:28 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
170 Northeast Regional | 5:05 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1h50 | 6:55 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, 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 Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA run on average 43 times per day, taking around 2h 8m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €10 if you book in advance.
There are 38 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 123 miles (198 km) distance in 1h 50m.
Distance 123 miles (198 km) |
Average train duration 2h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price €10 |
Trains per day 43 |
Direct trains 38 |
Fastest train 1h 50m |
First train 12:04 AM |
Last train 11:58 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 28 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.
World-class art museum famous for major collections and the Rocky Steps. A top cultural stop with strong city views.
Hands-on science museum for all ages, known for interactive exhibits and the giant walk-through heart near the Parkway.
Celebrated collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and modern works in an intimate gallery setting on the Parkway.
Historic district packed with foundational sites, cobblestone streets, and museums. The best base for first-time visitors.
Beloved park atop a hill with skyline views, trails, and the Rocky Steps approach. Great for walking and photography.
Walkable district of rowhouses, boutiques, and small parks. A classic local neighborhood for architecture and relaxed city strolling.
A long roll packed with thin-sliced beef and melted cheese, often with fried onions. It is Philadelphia's signature street and comfort food.
A soft pretzel with a distinct figure-eight twist and chewy texture. Sold by street vendors and bakeries, it is a classic Philadelphia snack.
A roast pork sandwich with garlicky pork, sharp provolone, and broccoli rabe. Many locals consider it the city's best traditional sandwich.
Acclaimed fine dining restaurant by Chef Marc Vetri, known for refined Italian tasting menus and one of Philadelphia's top culinary experiences.
Historic roast pork and cheesesteak shop in South Philadelphia, known for hearty sandwiches and a no-frills local atmosphere.
Beloved local chain specializing in water ice and frozen custard. It is a go-to stop for a classic Philadelphia summer dessert.
Moderate for a major US city. Hotels can be pricey in Center City, but dining and transit are often cheaper than New York or Washington.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, 15-20% for taxis, and $1-2 per drink or cafe order if service is provided.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bethesda, MD 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 Bethesda, MD to Philadelphia, PA trains use the Union Station to 30th Street Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Bethesda, MD and Philadelphia, PA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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