- Must visit
The Hershey Story Museum
Interactive museum on Milton S. Hershey, the town, and the chocolate company's history. A key stop for understanding Hershey's identity.










Cheapest price
$131
Average price
$168
Fastest journey
3h 55m
Average duration
4h 32m
Trains per day
24
Distance
146 km
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Hershey, PA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $53. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 14m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $53, and a flight costs an average of $152.
Distance: 98 miles (158 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$94 Average price | $55 Average price Cheapest | $432 Average price | $25 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 59m Average total duration 3h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 44m Average total duration Fastest 3h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 25m Average total duration 4h 25m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 20m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to Hershey, PA:
A bus is $39 (€32) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Hershey, PA costing on average $94 (€77).
A bus is $377 (€310) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Hershey, PA costing on average $432 (€356).
Other travel options to Hershey, PA take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 29m.
Flight takes on average 4h 25m.
Tickets start at around $94 (€77) compared to roughly $25 (€21) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-68.24 (€-56.13). The journey takes 3h 29m versus 2h 20m 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 Washington, DC to Hershey, PA trains for today, Sunday, July 12. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
88 Northeast Regional · 615 Keystone Service | 11:25 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h04 | 3:29 PM Middletown Station, Middletown, PA | 1 transfer | |
88 Northeast Regional · 665 Keystone Service | 11:25 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 5h07 | 4:32 PM Harrisburg Station, Harrisburg, PA | 1 transfer | |
88 Northeast Regional · 615 Keystone Service | 11:25 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h57 | 3:22 PM Elizabethtown PA, Elizabethtown, PA | 1 transfer | |
88 Northeast Regional · 665 Keystone Service | 11:25 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h56 | 4:21 PM Middletown Station, Middletown, PA | 1 transfer | |
88 Northeast Regional · 615 Keystone Service | 11:25 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h17 | 3:42 PM Harrisburg Station, Harrisburg, PA | 1 transfer | |
88 Northeast Regional · 665 Keystone Service | 11:25 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h49 | 4:14 PM Elizabethtown PA, Elizabethtown, PA | 1 transfer | |
140 Northeast Regional · 665 Keystone Service | 12:15 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h06 | 4:21 PM Middletown Station, Middletown, PA | 1 transfer | |
140 Northeast Regional · 665 Keystone Service | 12:15 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h59 | 4:14 PM Elizabethtown PA, Elizabethtown, PA | 1 transfer | |
140 Northeast Regional · 665 Keystone Service | 12:15 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h17 | 4:32 PM Harrisburg Station, Harrisburg, PA | 1 transfer | |
20 Crescent · 667 Keystone Service | 2:12 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h12 | 6:24 PM Elizabethtown PA, Elizabethtown, PA | 1 transfer | |
20 Crescent · 667 Keystone Service | 2:12 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h30 | 6:42 PM Harrisburg Station, Harrisburg, PA | 1 transfer | |
20 Crescent · 667 Keystone Service | 2:12 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h19 | 6:31 PM Middletown Station, Middletown, PA | 1 transfer | |
156 Northeast Regional · 667 Keystone Service | 2:29 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h02 | 6:31 PM Middletown Station, Middletown, PA | 1 transfer | |
156 Northeast Regional · 667 Keystone Service | 2:29 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h55 | 6:24 PM Elizabethtown PA, Elizabethtown, PA | 1 transfer | |
156 Northeast Regional · 667 Keystone Service | 2:29 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h13 | 6:42 PM Harrisburg Station, Harrisburg, PA | 1 transfer | |
132 Northeast Regional · 669 Keystone Service | 3:02 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 5h22 | 8:24 PM Elizabethtown PA, Elizabethtown, PA | 1 transfer | |
132 Northeast Regional · 669 Keystone Service | 3:02 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 5h29 | 8:31 PM Middletown Station, Middletown, PA | 1 transfer | |
132 Northeast Regional · 669 Keystone Service | 3:02 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 5h40 | 8:42 PM Harrisburg Station, Harrisburg, PA | 1 transfer | |
146 Northeast Regional · 669 Keystone Service | 4:17 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h14 | 8:31 PM Middletown Station, Middletown, PA | 1 transfer | |
146 Northeast Regional · 669 Keystone Service | 4:17 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h25 | 8:42 PM Harrisburg Station, Harrisburg, PA | 1 transfer | |
146 Northeast Regional · 669 Keystone Service | 4:17 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h07 | 8:24 PM Elizabethtown PA, Elizabethtown, PA | 1 transfer | |
158 Northeast Regional · 671 Keystone Service | 6:15 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h49 | 11:04 PM Elizabethtown PA, Elizabethtown, PA | 1 transfer | |
158 Northeast Regional · 671 Keystone Service | 6:15 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h57 | 11:12 PM Middletown Station, Middletown, PA | 1 transfer | |
158 Northeast Regional · 671 Keystone Service | 6:15 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 5h08 | 11:23 PM Harrisburg Station, Harrisburg, PA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Washington, DC to Hershey, PA run on average 49 times per day, taking around 3h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $48 (€39) if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 05:00, the last at 21:32. The fastest train covers the 98 miles (158 km) distance in 3h 45m.
Distance 98 miles (158 km) |
Average train duration 3h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price $48 (€39) |
Trains per day 49 |
Fastest train 3h 45m |
First train 5:00 AM |
Last train 9:32 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Hershey — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Hershey trip today.
Interactive museum on Milton S. Hershey, the town, and the chocolate company's history. A key stop for understanding Hershey's identity.
Large automobile museum near Hershey featuring vintage cars, buses, motorcycles, and rotating exhibitions. Popular beyond car enthusiasts.
Research library and archive focused on automotive history. Best for niche visitors interested in documents, photographs, and reference collections.
Hershey's main street, famous for chocolate-themed streetlights and easy access to core attractions, shops, and civic buildings.
Large botanical garden with seasonal displays, themed sections, and elevated views. Highly photogenic and especially popular in spring and summer.
Walkable wildlife park focused on North American animals. Family-friendly and well integrated into the Hershey entertainment district.
A regional comfort dish made with broad noodles, chicken, and vegetables in a rich broth. It is a classic food tradition in central Pennsylvania.
A traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert pie with a sweet molasses filling and crumb topping. It is one of the best-known heritage sweets in the region.
A smoky, fermented cured beef sausage from nearby Lebanon County, often served in sandwiches or on snack boards. It is a distinctive local specialty of the area.
A long-running Hershey favorite known for Italian-American dishes, pizzas, and a warm, casual atmosphere near the town center.
A well-known polished dining spot offering steaks, fresh seafood, and cocktails. It is a reliable choice for a higher-end meal in Hershey.
An established upscale restaurant at The Hotel Hershey known for refined American cuisine, elegant service, and a classic fine-dining setting.
Moderate for U.S. travelers. Theme park areas and hotels can raise food and lodging costs, but casual dining remains fairly accessible.
Tip 15-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for excellent service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxi/rideshare drivers 10-15%, hotel staff USD 1-5, and round up for cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Hershey, 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 Hershey, PA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Washington, DC to Hershey, PA trains use the Union Station to Harrisburg Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Washington, DC and Hershey, PA 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