- Must visit
Spring Mill State Park Memorial Museum
Interpretive museum at Spring Mill State Park with exhibits on local geology, pioneer life, and southern Indiana history.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$131
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$131
Fastest journey on Sep 20
4 h
Average journey duration on Sep 20
4 h
Trains on Sep 20
1
Distance
185 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Paoli, PA 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 Paoli, PA will cost around $131 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $131.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 1 trains from Washington, DC to Paoli, PA, including 1 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 185 km distance in an average of 4 h but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 4 h 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 Washington, DC to Paoli, PA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $70 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 53m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $70, while a flight costs an average of $1061.
Distance: 114 miles (185 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$156 Average price | $70 Average price Cheapest | $1061 Average price | $27 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 53m Average total duration Fastest 2h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 34m Average total duration 4h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 17m Average total duration 5h 17m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 39m 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 Paoli, PA:
A bus is $85 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Paoli, PA costing on average $156.
A bus is $991 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Paoli, PA costing on average $1061.
Other travel options to Paoli, PA take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 4m.
Flight takes on average 5h 17m.
You'll arrive about 16m sooner (2h 23m by train vs 2h 39m by car). Tickets start at around $156 compared to roughly $27 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 Paoli, PA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:10 PM Washington, DC | 3h49 | 9:59 PM Paoli, PA | 1 transfer | |
| Sunday, September 20 | |||||
![]() | 2:10 PM Washington, DC | 4h00 | 6:10 PM Paoli, PA | 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 Paoli, PA run on average 12 times per day, taking around 2h 23m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $69 but you can travel from only $57 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 03:00, the last at 22:32. The fastest train covers the 114 miles (185 km) distance in 2h 6m.
Distance 114 miles (185 km) |
Average train duration 2h 23m |
Cheapest ticket price $69 |
Trains per day 12 |
Fastest train 2h 6m |
First train 3:00 AM |
Last train 10:32 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Paoli, PA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Paoli, PA trip today.
Interpretive museum at Spring Mill State Park with exhibits on local geology, pioneer life, and southern Indiana history.
Regional museum in Bedford covering limestone industry, local culture, and artifacts that shaped south-central Indiana.
Local history museum in Salem with exhibits on Washington County heritage, genealogy, and objects from everyday life.
Popular state park area near Paoli known for forest trails, cave sites, and a restored pioneer village with broad family appeal.
Scenic recreation area by Paoli with hiking, camping, fishing, and lake views that make it a relaxing outdoor stop.
Downtown main street area in Paoli with courthouse views, local shops, and a small-town setting for a casual stroll.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Paoli, 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 Paoli, PA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Washington, DC to Paoli, PA trains use the Union Station to Paoli Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Washington, DC and Paoli, 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.
Paoli Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Paoli Station.
Ticket office support is available at Paoli Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Available at Paoli Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Paoli Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Paoli Station.
Nearby hotels include The Airdrie at Paoli Station, Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Great Valley/Malvern, Homewood Suites by Hilton Philadelphia-Great Valley.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need