The cheapest and fastest trains from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC
Cheapest price
$278
Average price
$410
Fastest journey
1 d 3 h 37 m
Average duration
1 d 16 h 6 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
1552 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from New Orleans, LA 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 New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC will cost around $410 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $278.
Of the 4 trains that leave New Orleans, LA for Washington, DC on Fri, May 22, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 22 the direct trains cover the 1552 km distance in an average of 1 d 16 h 6 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 3 h 37 m .
On Fri, May 22 the slowest trains will take 2 d 5 h 59 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.
20 Crescent · 80 Carolinian9:10 AM30h21Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA4:31 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$2781One-way1 transfer
20 Crescent9:10 AM27h37Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA1:47 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$3941One-way0 transfers
58 City Of New Orleans · 50 Cardinal11:45 AM53h59Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA6:44 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$4631One-way1 transfer
58 City Of New Orleans · 41 Floridian11:45 AM48h25Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$5051One-way1 transfer
20 Crescent9:10 AM27h37Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA1:47 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$3941One-way0 transfers
20 Crescent · 80 Carolinian9:10 AM30h21Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA4:31 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$2781One-way1 transfer
58 City Of New Orleans · 41 Floridian11:45 AM48h25Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$5051One-way1 transfer
58 City Of New Orleans · 50 Cardinal11:45 AM53h59Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA6:44 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$4631One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $107. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 29m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $107, and a flight costs an average of $118.
Distance: 964 miles (1552 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$279 Average price | $294 Average price | $217 Average price Cheapest | $219 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
28h 44m Average total duration 28h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 29m Average total duration Fastest 3h 29m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 25h 4m Average total duration 24h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 15h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC:
A bus is $62 (€50) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC costing on average $279 (€226).
A bus is $76 (€62) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC costing on average $294 (€238).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 24h 34m.
Train takes on average 28h 14m.
Tickets start at around $279 (€226) compared to roughly $219 (€177) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-60.03 (€-48.62). The journey takes 28h 14m versus 15h 51m 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
New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC train times
The table below shows live departures for New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC trains for tomorrow, Friday, May 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 Crescent | 9:10 AM Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA | 27h37 | 1:47 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
20 Crescent · 80 Carolinian | 9:10 AM Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA | 30h21 | 4:31 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1 transfer | |
58 City Of New Orleans · 50 Cardinal | 11:45 AM Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA | 53h59 | 6:44 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 1 transfer | |
58 City Of New Orleans · 41 Floridian | 11:45 AM Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans, LA | 48h25 | 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 New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
How far in advance should I book train tickets from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC?
Journey information
Overview: Train from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC
Trains from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC run on average 3 times per day, taking around 28h 14m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $180 (€146) but you can travel from only $107 (€87) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 09:10, the last at 18:42. The fastest train covers the 964 miles (1552 km) distance in 25h 17m.
Distance 964 miles (1552 km) |
Average train duration 28h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price $180 (€146) |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 25h 17m |
First train 9:10 AM |
Last train 6:42 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 14 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between New Orleans, LA and Washington, DC from $107 (€87). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from New Orleans, LA 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 New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC
- 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available adjacent to the station, accessible 24/7.
- Cochon Restaurant
- Herbsaint
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- Hyatt Regency New Orleans
- Le Pavillon Hotel
- Drury Plaza Hotel New Orleans
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Hall 2: platforms for Amtrak services
- Hall 3: bus and streetcar connections
- Bus: Several lines available
- Streetcar: Loyola-UPT Line
- 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
Most popular train connections from New Orleans, LA
More options for your journey from New Orleans, LA to Washington, DC
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


