The cheapest and fastest trains from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC
Cheapest price
$319
Average price
$319
Fastest journey
1 d 3 h 20 m
Average duration
1 d 3 h 20 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
1499 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC will cost around $319 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $319.
It's difficult to get from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC without transferring at least once.
8 Empire Builder · 41 Floridian8:50 AM27h20Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$3191One-way1 transfer
28 Empire Builder · 41 Floridian8:50 AM27h20Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$3191One-way1 transfer
8 Empire Builder · 41 Floridian8:50 AM27h20Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$3191One-way1 transfer
28 Empire Builder · 41 Floridian8:50 AM27h20Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$3191One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $111. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 12m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $111, and a train costs an average of $130.
Distance: 931 miles (1499 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$401 Average price | $234 Average price Cheapest | $401 Average price | $332 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
25h 52m Average total duration 25h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 28h 21m Average total duration 27h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 12m Average total duration Fastest 3h 12m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 16h 39m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC:
A bus is $167 (€135) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC costing on average $401 (€324).
A bus is $167 (€135) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC costing on average $401 (€324).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Train takes on average 25h 22m.
Bus takes on average 27h 51m.
Tickets start at around $401 (€324) compared to roughly $332 (€268) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-69.46 (€-56.07). The journey takes 25h 22m versus 16h 39m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC train times
The table below shows live departures for Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
28 Empire Builder · 41 Floridian | 8:50 AM Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN | 27h20 | 1:10 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1 transfer | |
8 Empire Builder · 41 Floridian | 8:50 AM Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN | 27h20 | 1:10 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC by bus, train, or flight
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.
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Jun 02
Journey information
Overview: Train from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC
Trains from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC run on average 2 times per day, taking around 25h 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $130 (€105) but you can travel from only $74 (€60) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 07:13, the last at 18:42. The fastest train covers the 931 miles (1499 km) distance in 27h 15m.
Distance 931 miles (1499 km) |
Average train duration 25h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price $130 (€105) |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 27h 15m |
First train 7:13 AM |
Last train 6:42 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 56 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Minneapolis, MN and Washington, DC from $74 (€60). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Minneapolis, MN 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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak.
- Amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
- 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
- Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
- Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill
- Phoenix Park Hotel
- Kimpton George Hotel
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Located on the train concourse of Level G near the Amtrak Waiting Area.
- Metro lines: Red
- Bus lines: D6, D8, 80, 96,
- Train lines: Acela, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Fredericksburg Line, MARC Brunswick, MARC Camden, MARC Penn, Manassas Line, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Service/Palmetto, Vermonter
More options for your journey from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC
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