The cheapest and fastest trains from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA
Cheapest price
$608
Average price
$771
Fastest journey
2 d 22 h 32 m
Average duration
3 d 11 h 39 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
3737 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA will cost around $771 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $608.
It's difficult to get from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA without transferring at least once.
40 Floridian · 27 Empire Builder · 508 Amtrak Cascades3:57 PM81h53Washington Union Station, Washington, DC10:50 PMKing Street Station, Seattle, WA$6081One-way2 transfers
40 Floridian · 7 Empire Builder3:57 PM70h32Washington Union Station, Washington, DC11:29 AMKing Street Station, Seattle, WA$6441One-way1 transfer
40 Floridian · 5 California Zephyr · 14 Coast Starlight3:57 PM102h54Washington Union Station, Washington, DC7:51 PMKing Street Station, Seattle, WA$8611One-way2 transfers
98 Silver Meteor · 49 Lake Shore Limited · 7 Empire Builder7:13 AM79h16Washington Union Station, Washington, DC11:29 AMKing Street Station, Seattle, WA$9701One-way2 transfers
40 Floridian · 7 Empire Builder3:57 PM70h32Washington Union Station, Washington, DC11:29 AMKing Street Station, Seattle, WA$6441One-way1 transfer
98 Silver Meteor · 49 Lake Shore Limited · 7 Empire Builder7:13 AM79h16Washington Union Station, Washington, DC11:29 AMKing Street Station, Seattle, WA$9701One-way2 transfers
40 Floridian · 27 Empire Builder · 508 Amtrak Cascades3:57 PM81h53Washington Union Station, Washington, DC10:50 PMKing Street Station, Seattle, WA$6081One-way2 transfers
40 Floridian · 5 California Zephyr · 14 Coast Starlight3:57 PM102h54Washington Union Station, Washington, DC7:51 PMKing Street Station, Seattle, WA$8611One-way2 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Washington, DC to Seattle, WA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $86. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 6h 32m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $86, and a train costs an average of $222.
Distance: 2322 miles (3737 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$549 Average price | $310 Average price Cheapest | $372 Average price | $641 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
67h 45m Average total duration 67h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 32m Average total duration Fastest 6h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 84h 10m Average total duration 83h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 40h 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() 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 |
This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA:
A flight is $62 (€50) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA costing on average $372 (€301).
A flight is $240 (€194) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA costing on average $549 (€444).
Other travel options to Seattle, WA take longer:
Train takes on average 67h 15m.
Bus takes on average 83h 40m.
Tickets start at around $549 (€444) compared to roughly $641 (€518) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $91 (€74). The journey takes 67h 15m versus 40h 29m 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.
Live departures
Washington, DC to Seattle, WA train times
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Seattle, WA trains for today, Sunday, May 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
40 Floridian · 27 Empire Builder · 508 Amtrak Cascades | 3:57 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 81h53 | 10:50 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 2 transfers | |
40 Floridian · 7 Empire Builder | 3:57 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 70h32 | 11:29 AM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 1 transfer | |
| Monday, May 25 | |||||
98 Silver Meteor · 49 Lake Shore Limited · 7 Empire Builder | 7:13 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 79h16 | 11:29 AM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Washington, DC to Seattle, WA by train, bus, or flight
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.
May 25
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA
Trains from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 67h 15m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $222 (€180) but you can travel from only $86 (€70) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 07:13, the last at 18:42. The fastest train covers the 2322 miles (3737 km) distance in 66h 47m.
Distance 2322 miles (3737 km) |
Average train duration 67h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price $222 (€180) |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 66h 47m |
First train 7:13 AM |
Last train 6:42 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 14 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Washington, DC and Seattle, WA from $86 (€70). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak.
- Amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
- 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
- Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
- Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill
- Phoenix Park Hotel
- Kimpton George Hotel
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Located on the train concourse of Level G near the Amtrak Waiting Area.
- Metro lines: Red
- Bus lines: D6, D8, 80, 96,
- Train lines: Acela, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Fredericksburg Line, MARC Brunswick, MARC Camden, MARC Penn, Manassas Line, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Service/Palmetto, Vermonter
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available near the station, with several parking lots and garages in the vicinity.
- The London Plane
- Salumi
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $0.50
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square
- The Arctic Club Seattle - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
- Best Western Plus Pioneer Square Hotel Downtown
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Hall 2: platforms for Amtrak and Sounder trains
- Bus: Several lines available
- Light Rail: Link Light Rail at International District/Chinatown Station
Most popular train connections from Washington, DC
More options for your journey from Washington, DC to Seattle, WA
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