- 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.
2,000+ travel companies
2,000+ travel companies
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
4.942K ratings
Google Play
4.6136K reviews
The cheapest and fastest trains from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Showing times and prices for Jul 15
Cheapest price
$69
Average price
$100
Fastest journey
4 h 53 m
Average duration
5 h 2 m
Trains per day
10
Distance
333 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Richmond, VA 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 Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA will cost around $100 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $69.
Fast trains
Of the 10 trains that leave Richmond, VA for Philadelphia, PA on Wed, Jul 15, 9 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jul 15 the direct trains cover the 333 km distance in an average of 5 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 53 m .
On Wed, Jul 15 the slowest trains will take 5 h 13 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.
186 Northeast Regional5:26 PM5h04Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA10:30 PM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$691One-way0 transfers- 186 Northeast Regional4:51 PM5h39Main Street Station, Richmond, VA10:30 PM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$711One-way0 transfers
- 94 Northeast Regional11:01 AM4h57Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA3:58 PM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$851One-way0 transfers
- 138 Northeast Regional3:06 PM5h25Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA8:31 PM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$851One-way0 transfers
- 40 Floridian · 196 Northeast Regional12:52 PM7h11Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA8:03 PM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$871One-way1 transfer
- 86 Northeast Regional5:54 AM4h53Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA10:47 AM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$1211One-way0 transfers
- 94 Northeast Regional11:01 AM4h57Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA3:58 PM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$851One-way0 transfers
- 80 Carolinian2:04 PM5h01Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA7:05 PM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$1211One-way0 transfers
- 186 Northeast Regional5:26 PM5h04Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA10:30 PM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$691One-way0 transfers
- 90 Palmetto4:41 PM5h13Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA9:54 PM30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA$1211One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $42. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 59m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $42, and a flight costs an average of $121.
Distance: 206 miles (333 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$93 Average price | $64 Average price Cheapest | $383 Average price | $59 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 29m Average total duration Fastest 4h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 21m Average total duration 5h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 27m Average total duration 6h 27m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The cheapest way to travel from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA is a bus with an average price of $64 (€53).
This is compared to other travel options from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA:
A bus is $29 (€24) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA costing on average $93 (€77).
A bus is $319 (€263) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA costing on average $383 (€316).
The fastest way to travel from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA is by train with an average journey time of 4h 59m.
Other travel options to Philadelphia, PA take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 51m.
Flight takes on average 6h 27m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Richmond, VA and Philadelphia, PA including taking a bus, train, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.
Tickets start at around $93 (€77) compared to roughly $59 (€49) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-34.27 (€-28.25). The journey takes 4h 59m versus 4h 19m 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
Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA train times
The table below shows live departures for Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA trains for today, Tuesday, July 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 Carolinian | 2:04 PM Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 5h01 | 7:05 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 138 Northeast Regional | 3:06 PM Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 5h25 | 8:31 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 90 Palmetto | 4:41 PM Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 5h13 | 9:54 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 186 Northeast Regional | 4:51 PM Main Street Station, Richmond, VA | 5h39 | 10:30 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 186 Northeast Regional | 5:26 PM Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 5h04 | 10:30 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 98 Silver Meteor | 3:52 AM Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 5h28 | 9:20 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 86 Northeast Regional | 5:19 AM Main Street Station, Richmond, VA | 5h28 | 10:47 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 86 Northeast Regional | 5:54 AM Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 4h53 | 10:47 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 94 Northeast Regional | 11:01 AM Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 4h57 | 3:58 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 40 Floridian · 196 Northeast Regional | 12:52 PM Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA | 7h11 | 8:03 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA 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.
Tue
Jul 14
Jul 14
Wed
Jul 15
Jul 15
Thu
Jul 16
Jul 16
Fri
Jul 17
Jul 17
Sat
Jul 18
Jul 18
Sun
Jul 19
Jul 19
Mon
Jul 20
Jul 20
Journey information
Overview: Train from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
USAUSA
Trains from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA run on average 13 times per day, taking around 4h 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $35 (€29) if you book in advance.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:52, the last at 18:21. The fastest train covers the 206 miles (333 km) distance in 4h 49m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance 206 miles (333 km) |
Average train duration 4h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price $35 (€29) |
Trains per day 13 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 4h 49m |
First train 3:52 AM |
Last train 6:21 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 5 days |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Train companies: Amtrak from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Richmond, VA and Philadelphia, PA from $35 (€29). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
About
Amtrak is the main passenger train operator in the United States, providing medium- and long-distance intercity services across 46 states and three Canadian provinces. Operating over 300 trains daily and serving more than 500 destinations, Amtrak connects cities and regions nationwide through routes such as the high-speed Acela in the Northeast Corridor, the scenic Coast Starlight along the West Coast, and the Empire Builder linking Chicago to the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. Other notable services include the Northeast Regional, Keystone Service, and the unique Auto Train, which allows passengers to bring their cars onboard. Amtrak offers a variety of classes to suit different budgets and travel needs, including Coach, Business, First Class, and Sleeper Class with options like Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Bedroom Suites for overnight journeys. Ticket types include Saver, Value, Flexible, Business, and Premium. Onboard amenities vary by service but may include comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, power outlets, dining options, and lounge access on select trains. Popular routes include Washington, D.C.–Boston, San Diego–San Luis Obispo, San Jose–Sacramento, and Chicago–Seattle.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
4h 49m
Cheapest Price
$35 (€29)
Amtrak frequency
13 a day
Luggage included
2 personal items and 2 carry-on bags included free
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, under seats, and designated luggage areas at end of cars
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type and timing
Refund
Full refund if train is canceled by Amtrak
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Café car with snacks, beverages, and light meals. Long-distance trains have full-service dining cars
Seat reservation
Included in ticket price for Business and First Class. Optional fee for Coach Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, Red Cap assistance service, accessible platforms and stations
Pets
Small pets under 20 pounds allowed for $26 fee. Must be in carrier. Service animals travel free
Quiet zone
Complete guide to Philadelphia, PA
Things to do in Philadelphia, PA
Discover the best of Philadelphia, PA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Philadelphia, PA trip today.
- Must visit
The Franklin Institute
Hands-on science museum for all ages, known for interactive exhibits and the giant walk-through heart near the Parkway.
- Must visit
Barnes Foundation
Celebrated collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and modern works in an intimate gallery setting on the Parkway.
- Must visit
Independence National Historical Park
Historic district packed with foundational sites, cobblestone streets, and museums. The best base for first-time visitors.
- Must visit
Eakins Oval and Rocky Steps
Beloved park atop a hill with skyline views, trails, and the Rocky Steps approach. Great for walking and photography.
- Must visit
Rittenhouse Square
Walkable district of rowhouses, boutiques, and small parks. A classic local neighborhood for architecture and relaxed city strolling.
Philly Cheesesteak
A long roll packed with thin-sliced beef and melted cheese, often with fried onions. It is Philadelphia's signature street and comfort food.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
Philadelphia Soft Pretzel
A soft pretzel with a distinct figure-eight twist and chewy texture. Sold by street vendors and bakeries, it is a classic Philadelphia snack.
Roast Pork Sandwich
A roast pork sandwich with garlicky pork, sharp provolone, and broccoli rabe. Many locals consider it the city's best traditional sandwich.
Vetri Cucina
Acclaimed fine dining restaurant by Chef Marc Vetri, known for refined Italian tasting menus and one of Philadelphia's top culinary experiences.
John's Roast Pork
Historic roast pork and cheesesteak shop in South Philadelphia, known for hearty sandwiches and a no-frills local atmosphere.
Rita's Italian Ice
Beloved local chain specializing in water ice and frozen custard. It is a go-to stop for a classic Philadelphia summer dessert.
US Dollar ($)
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.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- $10-18 for fast food or casual takeout.
- Mid-range
- $20-40 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- $75+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- $3-6 for coffee or cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, 15-20% for taxis, and $1-2 per drink or cafe order if service is provided.
FAQs: Trains from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Richmond, VA 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.
Train ticket prices from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $35 (€29), while the average price is around $93 (€77).
The train from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA takes 4h 49m and runs 13 per day.
The first train from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA leaves at 3:52 AM.
The distance by train from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA is 206 miles (333 km).
The last train from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA leaves at 6:21 PM.
There is no high speed train available from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA.
Yes, there is a direct train from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA. This service operates 10 times per day, provided by Amtrak.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA.
The train station in Richmond, VA that goes to Philadelphia, PA is Staples Mill Road Station, Richmond, VA, which connects to 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA.
The cheapest way to get from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA is by train, with a cost of around $35 (€29).
The train journey from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA offers a mix of urban and rural scenery, featuring views of the James River, lush forests, and glimpses of historic towns, providing a pleasant but not notably dramatic landscape.
A day trip from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA is not feasible as the journey takes 4h 49m each way. The frequency of trains is 14 per day, and the distance is 206 miles (333 km).
In Philadelphia, PA, you can visit the Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence, and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted. Art enthusiasts can explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art, known for its vast collection and the famous Rocky Steps. For a taste of local culture, head to Reading Terminal Market, a bustling indoor space with diverse food options. Additionally, the Philadelphia Zoo offers a chance to see a wide variety of animals and interactive exhibits.
To experience Philadelphia's key attractions, such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Reading Terminal Market, a stay of 2 to 3 days is typically sufficient.
Yes, you can take the train from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA.
Since neither Richmond, VA nor Philadelphia, PA are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United States and United States. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
Popular day trips by train from Philadelphia, PA include New York, NY, Newark, NJ, Baltimore, MD, Lancaster, PA, Harrisburg, PA.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA among Omio's users.
Items not allowed on trains typically include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, and illegal drugs. Additionally, large or bulky items that may obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as well as pets without proper carriers, may be restricted. Specific prohibited items can vary by train operator and region, so please check the rules for your particular journey.
The currency used in the United States is the US Dollar (USD). For travelers, using cards is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially credit and debit cards, while cash is useful for small purchases or places that do not accept cards.
In Philadelphia, PA, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing and petty theft, especially in crowded areas like Center City and tourist hotspots. Scams involving overpriced taxi rides or unlicensed transportation are common, so using reputable services or ride-sharing apps is advised. Travelers should also be wary of street vendors selling counterfeit goods and avoid displaying valuables openly to reduce risk. Staying aware of surroundings and using well-lit, populated routes enhances safety.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.
Most popular train connections from Richmond, VA
More options for your journey from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Philadelphia, PA and Richmond, VA
Most popular train connections to Philadelphia, PA
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
