- Must visit
Boxwood Hall State Historic Site
Small museum and archive focused on local heritage, architecture, and community stories in Elizabeth.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$103
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$345
Fastest journey on Sep 20
2 h 23 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
2 h 29 m
Trains on Sep 20
53
Distance
311 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ will cost around $345 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $103.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 53 trains from Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ, including 53 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 311 km distance in an average of 2 h 29 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 23 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 2 h 37 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.
66
128
80
2252 Acela
90
2264 Acela
2222 Acela
2260 Acela
2218 Acela
2228 AcelaOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $65 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 32m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $65, while a flight costs an average of $464.
Distance: 193 miles (311 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$241 Average price | $65 Average price Cheapest | $464 Average price | $44 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 32m Average total duration Fastest 3h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 9m Average total duration 4h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 46m Average total duration 2h 46m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 35m 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 Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ:
A bus is $176 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ costing on average $241.
A bus is $399 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ costing on average $464.
Other travel options to Elizabeth, NJ take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 2m.
Bus takes on average 4h 39m.
You'll arrive about 33m sooner (3h 2m by train vs 3h 35m by car). Tickets start at around $241 compared to roughly $44 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.
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 Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:25 PM Washington, DC | 2h44 | 10:09 PM Elizabeth, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:55 PM Washington, DC | 2h50 | 10:45 PM Elizabeth, NJ | 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 Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ run on average 52 times per day, taking around 3h 2m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $25 but you can travel from only $21 by bus.
There are 52 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:20, the last at 23:57. The fastest train covers the 193 miles (311 km) distance in 2h 21m.
Distance 193 miles (311 km) |
Average train duration 3h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price $25 |
Trains per day 52 |
Direct trains 52 |
Fastest train 2h 21m |
First train 3:20 AM |
Last train 11:57 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Elizabeth, NJ — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Elizabeth, NJ trip today.
Small museum and archive focused on local heritage, architecture, and community stories in Elizabeth.
Local history museum preserving documents, objects, and exhibits about Elizabeth and Union County's past.
Historic house museum associated with patriot Elias Boudinot, offering guided interpretation of colonial Elizabeth.
Elizabeth's revitalized downtown core with shops, civic buildings, transit links, and frequent community activity.
Neighborhood green space with lawns, playgrounds, and a relaxed local atmosphere for a short outdoor break.
Waterfront park with paths, sports fields, and open views near Newark Bay, popular for walks and recreation.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ 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 Elizabeth, NJ, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Washington, DC to Elizabeth, NJ trains use the Union Station to Newark Airport Amtrak station pair. Use this guide to compare Washington, DC and Elizabeth, NJ train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Union Station is 2 km from Washington city centre. Public transport options include:
Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: 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
Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak. ATMs are there are 2 ATM machines located on Level G.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00, Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00. Information desks are located on the train concourse of Level G near the Amtrak Waiting Area.
Luggage storage is amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
Nearby hotels include Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill, Phoenix Park Hotel, Kimpton George Hotel.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need