- Must visit
Portland Art Museum
Major art museum with Native American, modern, and Northwest collections; one of Portland’s core cultural attractions.
Cheapest price
$302
Average price
$481
Fastest journey
9 h 23 m
Average duration
10 h 40 m
Trains per day
11
Distance
775 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Portland, ME 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 Portland, ME will cost around $481 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $302.
It's difficult to get from Washington, DC to Portland, ME without transferring at least once.
66 Northeast Regional · 693 Downeaster
172 Northeast Regional · 8259 AMTRAK
170 Northeast Regional · 8258 AMTRAK
172 Northeast Regional · 8260 AMTRAK
170 Northeast Regional · 685 Downeaster
2150 Acela+
8270 AMTRAK
2150 Acela+
8257 AMTRAK
172 Northeast Regional · 8259 AMTRAK
170 Northeast Regional · 8258 AMTRAK
86 Northeast Regional · 8262 AMTRAKOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Portland, ME among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $71. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 49m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $71, and a flight costs an average of $122.
Distance: 481 miles (775 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$260 Average price | $341 Average price | $131 Average price Cheapest | $158 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 39m Average total duration 10h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 49m Average total duration Fastest 1h 49m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 13h 13m Average total duration 12h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.3 - 4.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.8 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Washington, DC to Portland, ME:
A bus is $128 (€105) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Portland, ME costing on average $260 (€213).
A bus is $210 (€172) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Portland, ME costing on average $341 (€280).
Other travel options to Portland, ME take longer:
Train takes on average 10h 9m.
Bus takes on average 12h 43m.
Tickets start at around $260 (€213) compared to roughly $158 (€130) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-101.84 (€-83.68). The journey takes 10h 9m versus 9h 7m 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 Portland, ME trains for today, Thursday, July 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6076 AMTRAK · 190 Northeast Regional · 8257 AMTRAK | 3:20 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 11h50 | 3:10 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 2 transfers | |
2150 Acela+ 8257 AMTRAK | 4:47 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 10h23 | 3:10 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
2150 Acela+ 8270 AMTRAK | 4:47 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 9h23 | 2:10 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
2150 Acela+ 685 Downeaster | 4:47 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 13h28 | 6:15 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
170 Northeast Regional · 685 Downeaster | 5:05 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 13h10 | 6:15 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
170 Northeast Regional · 8258 AMTRAK | 5:05 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 11h05 | 4:10 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
172 Northeast Regional · 687 Downeaster | 7:06 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 12h44 | 7:50 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
172 Northeast Regional · 8259 AMTRAK | 7:06 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 11h04 | 6:10 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
172 Northeast Regional · 8260 AMTRAK | 7:06 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 12h09 | 7:15 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
86 Northeast Regional · 8262 AMTRAK | 8:50 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 11h25 | 8:15 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
174 Northeast Regional · 689 Downeaster | 10:35 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 14h25 | 1:00 AM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 1 transfer | |
2162 Acela+ 687 Downeaster | 4:20 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 27h30 | 7:50 PM Portland Transportation Center, Portland, ME | 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 Portland, ME run on average 12 times per day, taking around 10h 9m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $87 (€72) but you can travel from only $71 (€58) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 03:15, the last at 22:00. The fastest train covers the 481 miles (775 km) distance in 10h 25m.
Distance 481 miles (775 km) |
Average train duration 10h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price $87 (€72) |
Trains per day 12 |
Fastest train 10h 25m |
First train 3:15 AM |
Last train 10:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Portland — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Portland trip today.
Major art museum with Native American, modern, and Northwest collections; one of Portland’s core cultural attractions.
Large hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and rotating special displays.
Historic house museum overlooking Portland, known for period interiors and strong city-history interpretation.
Major urban park with gardens, trails, memorials, and viewpoints; one of Portland’s essential outdoor destinations.
Huge urban forest with extensive hiking trails, popular for nature access close to the city center.
Famous hillside rose garden with seasonal blooms and postcard-worthy views of downtown and Mount Hood.
Portland is one of the leading craft beer cities in the United States, known for hop-forward IPAs, seasonal ales, and a deep brewery culture.
The city is famous for meticulous third-wave coffee culture, with carefully sourced beans, lighter roasts, and expertly prepared espresso drinks.
Playful, highly recognizable doughnuts helped define Portland food tourism, blending classic American doughnut culture with quirky local flair.
Acclaimed French-inspired restaurant known for rich, inventive dishes and an intimate dining room. One of Portland’s best-known fine dining spots.
Popular Southern restaurant celebrated for fried chicken, waffles, and brunch, with a lively atmosphere and long-standing local following.
Historic downtown seafood restaurant known for oyster, salmon, and classic Pacific Northwest specialties in an old-school setting.
Moderate by U.S. city standards. Food and coffee are reasonable, but hotels and fine dining can be pricey in central areas.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants with table service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip delivery drivers about 15-20%. Little or no tip is expected at counter-service cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Portland, ME 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 Portland, ME, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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