- Must visit
RISD Museum
Major art museum at the Rhode Island School of Design, known for strong collections spanning ancient art, painting, design, and contemporary works.
Cheapest price
$140
Average price
$304
Fastest journey
5 h 57 m
Average duration
6 h 11 m
Trains per day
17
Distance
577 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Providence, RI 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 Providence, RI will cost around $304 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $140.
Of the 17 trains that leave Washington, DC for Providence, RI on Tue, Jun 16, 14 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 16 the direct trains cover the 577 km distance in an average of 6 h 11 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 57 m .
On Tue, Jun 16 the slowest trains will take 6 h 22 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.
178 Northeast Regional
66 Northeast Regional
176 Northeast Regional
134 Northeast Regional · 184 Northeast Regional
174 Northeast Regional
2150 Acela
2162 Acela
2166 NextGen Acela
2170 NextGen Acela
2172 NextGen AcelaOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Providence, RI among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $38. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 29m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $38, and a flight costs an average of $69.
Distance: 358 miles (577 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$202 Average price | $82 Average price Cheapest | $314 Average price | $134 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 43m Average total duration 7h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 27m Average total duration 8h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 29m Average total duration Fastest 1h 29m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions | 1.7 - 3.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to Providence, RI:
A bus is $120 (€97) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Providence, RI costing on average $202 (€163).
A bus is $232 (€188) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Providence, RI costing on average $314 (€254).
Other travel options to Providence, RI take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 13m.
Bus takes on average 8h 57m.
Tickets start at around $202 (€163) compared to roughly $134 (€109) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-67.73 (€-54.78). The journey takes 7h 13m versus 7h 11m 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 Providence, RI trains for today, Monday, June 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
184 Northeast Regional | 1:20 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h23 | 8:43 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
94 Northeast Regional | 2:00 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h12 | 9:12 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
2170 NextGen Acela | 2:50 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 6h20 | 9:10 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
176 Northeast Regional | 3:30 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h22 | 10:52 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
178 Northeast Regional | 3:54 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h35 | 11:29 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
2172 NextGen Acela | 3:55 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 6h22 | 10:17 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
66 Northeast Regional | 10:00 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 11h15 | 9:15 AM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, June 16 | |||||
6076 AMTRAK · 190 Northeast Regional | 3:20 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h57 | 11:17 AM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 1 transfer | |
6076 AMTRAK · 170 Northeast Regional | 3:20 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 9h00 | 12:20 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 1 transfer | |
2150 Acela | 5:00 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 5h57 | 10:57 AM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
170 Northeast Regional | 5:05 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h15 | 12:20 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
172 Northeast Regional | 7:06 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h26 | 2:32 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
86 Northeast Regional | 8:50 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h11 | 4:01 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
2162 Acela | 9:26 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 6h04 | 3:30 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
174 Northeast Regional | 10:35 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h26 | 6:01 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 0 transfersDirect | |
134 Northeast Regional · 184 Northeast Regional | 11:56 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 8h47 | 8:43 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 1 transfer | |
2166 NextGen Acela | 12:51 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 6h10 | 7:01 PM Providence Station, Providence, RI | 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 Providence, RI run on average 14 times per day, taking around 7h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $54 (€44) but you can travel from only $38 (€30) by bus.
There are 13 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:00, the last at 22:00. The fastest train covers the 358 miles (577 km) distance in 6h 17m.
Distance 358 miles (577 km) |
Average train duration 7h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price $54 (€44) |
Trains per day 14 |
Direct trains 13 |
Fastest train 6h 17m |
First train 3:00 AM |
Last train 10:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Providence — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Providence trip today.
Major art museum at the Rhode Island School of Design, known for strong collections spanning ancient art, painting, design, and contemporary works.
Historic mansion museum run by the Rhode Island Historical Society, offering insight into early Providence and merchant-era life.
Hands-on family museum with interactive exhibits focused on play, creativity, and early learning.
Riverfront park and promenade at the heart of downtown, best known for scenic walks and WaterFire evenings.
Historic neighborhood with steep streets, preserved architecture, Brown University, and classic views over Providence.
Large urban park with lakes, walking paths, gardens, and several cultural attractions, popular with locals year-round.
Large quahog clams stuffed with a seasoned mix of chopped clam, breadcrumbs, herbs, and often spicy Portuguese chouriço. A signature Rhode Island appetizer with strong local and Portuguese-Italian New
Rhode Island–style fritters made from a savory flour batter with chopped clams, usually served with chowder. A classic coastal snack found at seafood shacks across the Providence area.
The local chowder style made with a clear broth rather than cream or tomato, highlighting quahogs, potatoes, and herbs. It is one of the state’s most distinctive traditional dishes.
Established Italian market and casual eatery on Federal Hill, loved for sandwiches, prepared foods, and old-school neighborhood atmosphere.
Landmark Providence restaurant known for wood-grilled dishes, pasta, and refined Italian cooking in a polished but lively setting.
Well-known seafood restaurant near downtown, popular for oysters, lobster, and classic Rhode Island coastal fare in an upscale setting.
Moderate for a U.S. city. Casual meals are reasonable, but hotels and fine dining can be pricey.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis about 10-15%, and round up for cafes.
Traveling between Washington, DC and Providence, RI is made easy with Amtrak's efficient train service. The journey offers a comfortable ride through the scenic landscapes of the East Coast, allowing you to relax while enjoying views of charming towns and vibrant cities along the way. With multiple daily departures, Amtrak provides convenient options for travelers looking to explore these two dynamic destinations.
Traveling from Washington, DC to Providence, RI takes approximately 5 hours and 57 minutes. There are 17 connections available each day on this route, all of which are direct trains. The journey begins at Union Station in DC and concludes at Providence Station in RI.
The first daily train journey departs from Washington, DC at 9:00 AM and the last one leaves Providence, RI at 9:02 PM. This schedule allows travelers ample time to explore both cities while enjoying a comfortable ride in between.
The cheapest ticket price for the train connection between Washington, DC and Providence, RI is $40 (36€). The average ticket price tends to be around $138 (124.2€), making it a more economical option if you book in advance or look out for special deals.
Welcome to the Rhode Island State House, a stunning example of neoclassical architecture completed in 1904. This landmark is significant not only for its impressive dome—one of the largest in the United States—but also as a symbol of democracy and governance in our state. As you explore its grand halls, take note of the intricate murals and historical artifacts that tell the story of Rhode Island's rich political heritage.
Next on our journey is Brown University, founded in 1764 and known for being one of Ivy League’s most prestigious institutions. Its significance lies not just in academic excellence but also as a pioneer for student-centered learning with an open curriculum that encourages intellectual exploration. Stroll through its picturesque campus filled with historic buildings, lush green spaces, and vibrant art installations that reflect both tradition and innovation.
Finally, we arrive at WaterFire—a mesmerizing public art installation igniting Providence's rivers since 1997. This unique event features over eighty bonfires floating atop water while music fills the air; it symbolizes community connection and celebrates local culture throughout various seasons. Be sure to immerse yourself fully during this enchanting experience where fire meets water under starlit skies!
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Providence, RI 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 Providence, RI, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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