- Must visit
Birmingham Museum of Art
Major regional museum with strong American, Asian, African, and contemporary collections plus an excellent sculpture garden.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$302
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$334
Fastest journey on Sep 20
21 h 12 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
21 h 40 m
Trains on Sep 20
2
Distance
1258 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL will cost around $334 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $302.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 2 trains from Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL, including 2 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 1258 km distance in an average of 21 h 40 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 21 h 12 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 22 h 7 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $166 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 7h 2m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $166, while a flight costs an average of $783.
Distance: 781 miles (1258 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$302 Average price | $166 Average price Cheapest | $783 Average price | $183 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
22h 37m Average total duration 22h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 20h 23m Average total duration 19h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 2m Average total duration Fastest 5h 2m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 13h 10m 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 Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL:
A bus is $136 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL costing on average $302.
A bus is $617 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL costing on average $783.
Other travel options to Birmingham, AL take longer:
Bus takes on average 19h 53m.
Train takes on average 22h 7m.
Tickets start at around $302 compared to roughly $183 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-119.39. The journey takes 22h 7m versus 13h 10m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:38 PM Philadelphia, PA | 22h07 | 5:45 PM Birmingham, AL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL run on average 1 times per day, taking around 22h 7m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $184 but you can travel from only $102 by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 15:38, the last at 17:24. The fastest train covers the 781 miles (1258 km) distance in 22h 3m.
Distance 781 miles (1258 km) |
Average train duration 22h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $184 |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 22h 3m |
First train 3:38 PM |
Last train 5:24 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Discover the best of Birmingham, AL — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Birmingham, AL trip today.
Major regional museum with strong American, Asian, African, and contemporary collections plus an excellent sculpture garden.
Powerful civil rights museum with immersive exhibits that explain Birmingham’s central role in the struggle for equality.
Hands-on museum blending science, technology, and regional history, popular with families and curious adults alike.
Large urban green space with lawns, trails, and a prized skyline view from the hilltop near Vulcan.
Lively downtown entertainment district with bars, murals, music venues, and easy access to theaters and sports.
Trendy neighborhood of shops, coffee spots, nightlife, and colorful streets that showcase Birmingham’s creative energy.
Alabama white sauce barbecue chicken is smoked chicken dressed with a tangy mayo-based sauce, a North Alabama staple that defines the region’s barbecue identity.
Pulled pork barbecue is slow-smoked and served chopped or shredded, often with sauce and sides. It is a classic Birmingham and Alabama comfort food.
Fried green tomatoes are unripe tomatoes sliced, breaded, and fried. They are a beloved Southern starter tied closely to Alabama home cooking.
Refined Southern fine dining destination known for elegant tasting menus, local ingredients, and polished service in an upscale atmosphere.
Long-running meat-and-three favorite serving fried chicken, vegetables, and pies in a classic cafeteria-style Southern setting.
Acclaimed modern restaurant with wood-fired cooking, seasonal Southern dishes, and a stylish but relaxed neighborhood atmosphere.
Moderate for U.S. city travel. Hotels are often cheaper than major metros, while dining and rideshares are typical; transit use is limited for most visitors.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, more for excellent service. Taxis usually get 10-15%. For cafes, round up or leave $1-2 on larger orders.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL 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 Birmingham, AL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Philadelphia, PA to Birmingham, AL trains use the 30th Street Station to Birmingham Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Philadelphia, PA and Birmingham, AL 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.
Birmingham Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink options are available at Birmingham Station.
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Available at Birmingham Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Birmingham Station: Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham Station.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need