- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and strong family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$112
Fastest journey
2 h 25 m
Average duration
2 h 27 m
Trains per day
21
Distance
245 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Trenton, NJ 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 Trenton, NJ to Washington, DC will cost around $112 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 21 trains that leave Trenton, NJ for Washington, DC on Tue, Jun 09, 21 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 09 the direct trains cover the 245 km distance in an average of 2 h 27 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 25 m .
On Tue, Jun 09 the slowest trains will take 2 h 30 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.
175 Northeast Regional
137 Northeast Regional
119 Northeast Regional
129 Northeast Regional
125 Northeast Regional
113 Northeast Regional
141 Northeast Regional
55 Vermonter
173 Northeast Regional
131 Northeast RegionalOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Trenton, NJ to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $25. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 45m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $25, and a flight costs an average of $217.
Distance: 152 miles (245 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$58 Average price | $38 Average price Cheapest | $447 Average price | $42 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 15m Average total duration Fastest 2h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration 3h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 44m Average total duration 3h 44m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 12m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.5kg 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Trenton, NJ to Washington, DC:
A bus is $20 (€16) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Trenton, NJ to Washington, DC costing on average $58 (€48).
A bus is $409 (€333) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Trenton, NJ to Washington, DC costing on average $447 (€365).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 41m.
Flight takes on average 3h 44m.
You'll arrive about 27m sooner (2h 45m by train vs 3h 12m by car). Tickets start at around $58 (€48) compared to roughly $42 (€34) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Trenton, NJ to Washington, DC trains for today, Monday, June 8. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
171 Northeast Regional | 1:46 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h39 | 4:25 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
19 Crescent | 3:01 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h46 | 5:47 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
97 Silver Meteor | 3:34 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h50 | 6:24 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
85 Northeast Regional | 4:02 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h36 | 6:38 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
173 Northeast Regional | 5:03 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h29 | 7:32 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
129 Northeast Regional | 5:30 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h32 | 8:02 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
137 Northeast Regional | 7:22 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h36 | 9:58 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
55 Vermonter | 7:38 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h28 | 10:06 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
175 Northeast Regional | 8:49 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h34 | 11:23 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, June 9 | |||||
67 Northeast Regional | 12:22 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 6h32 | 6:54 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
111 Northeast Regional | 5:53 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h33 | 8:26 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
89 Palmetto | 6:56 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h48 | 9:44 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
113 Northeast Regional | 7:30 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h25 | 9:55 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
79 Carolinian | 8:19 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h50 | 11:09 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
183 Northeast Regional | 8:28 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h48 | 11:16 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
141 Northeast Regional | 9:20 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h25 | 11:45 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
185 Northeast Regional | 10:22 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h35 | 12:57 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
95 Northeast Regional | 11:29 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h36 | 2:05 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
119 Northeast Regional | 12:00 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h32 | 2:32 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
125 Northeast Regional | 12:30 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h41 | 3:11 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
131 Northeast Regional | 1:15 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 2h30 | 3:45 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 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 Trenton, NJ to Washington, DC run on average 20 times per day, taking around 2h 45m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $12 (€10) if you book in advance.
There are 19 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:20, the last at 23:23. The fastest train covers the 152 miles (245 km) distance in 2h 20m.
Distance 152 miles (245 km) |
Average train duration 2h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $12 (€10) |
Trains per day 20 |
Direct trains 19 |
Fastest train 2h 20m |
First train 12:20 AM |
Last train 11:23 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Washington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Washington trip today.
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and strong family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Flagship Smithsonian museum exploring African American history, culture, and community through powerful permanent exhibitions and major national narratives.
Premier art museum with masterworks from the Middle Ages to the modern era, plus sculpture garden and rotating exhibitions in two landmark buildings.
Washington’s essential civic promenade lined with museums and monuments, ideal for first-time visitors and the city’s top walking experience.
Historic waterfront neighborhood known for charming streets, rowhouses, shopping, and canal-side walks; a classic area for exploring on foot.
Scenic reservoir loop famous for memorials and cherry blossoms, especially photogenic at sunrise, sunset, and spring bloom season.
Washington’s signature sausage, typically smoky and spicy, served on a bun with mustard, onions, and chili. It is one of the city’s most iconic street foods.
A sweet-tangy sauce strongly associated with Washington carryout culture, often paired with fried chicken or wings. It is a distinctive local comfort-food staple.
Sweet blue crab from the Chesapeake region, commonly served steamed and heavily seasoned. It reflects the Mid-Atlantic seafood traditions closely tied to Washington.
A celebrated historic restaurant near the White House, known for oysters, crab cakes, and classic Washington political dining ambiance.
Widely acclaimed Indian restaurant with a polished atmosphere, famous for refined cooking and one of Washington’s best-known dining rooms.
Well-known French brasserie in Logan Circle, valued for its classic menu, energetic scene, and stylish long-established popularity.
Prices are high by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining in central areas, though casual food is still manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants with table service. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and USD 1-2 per bag for hotel staff.
Official public transport app
Union Station, Washington, DC -> Metro Center, Washington, DC
Traveling between Trenton, NJ and Washington, DC is a convenient journey thanks to Amtrak. The train service offers comfortable seating and scenic views along the way, making it an enjoyable experience for travelers. With frequent departures throughout the day, you can easily plan your trip to explore the vibrant culture and attractions of both cities.
The train connection between Trenton, NJ and Washington, DC is direct and takes approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. There are a total of 17 connections available each day. Passengers will depart from Trenton Transit Center, NJ and arrive at Union Station, DC.
The first daily train journey departs from Trenton at 4:59 AM, providing an early start for travelers heading to the nation's capital. The last departure of the day is scheduled for 11:41 PM, allowing late-night arrivals in Washington, DC.
The cheapest ticket price for a train journey from Trenton to Washington is $22 (20€). The average ticket price typically hovers around $24.
The White House, completed in 1800, has served as the official residence and workplace of every U.S. president since John Adams, symbolizing the heart of American democracy. Its neoclassical architecture features iconic elements like the portico and grand columns that reflect both power and grace, making it a must-see for anyone interested in politics or history. As you stand before this landmark, imagine the countless decisions made within its walls that have shaped not only America but also global affairs.
The United States Capitol is more than just an architectural marvel; it's where our nation's laws are crafted and debated. With its stunning dome rising majestically above Washington D.C., this building represents unity and governance while housing significant artworks that tell America's story through time. When visiting, take a moment to appreciate how each stone laid here contributes to over two centuries of legislative history.
The Lincoln Memorial stands as a poignant tribute to President Abraham Lincoln's legacy during one of America's most tumultuous times—the Civil War—and serves as a beacon for civil rights movements throughout history. The striking statue of Lincoln seated imposes dignity against the backdrop of inscribed speeches emphasizing equality and freedom; it invites reflection on what these ideals mean today. As you approach this hallowed ground, let yourself be moved by its powerful symbolism—a reminder that progress often requires perseverance.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Trenton, NJ 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.

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