- Must visit
New Jersey State Museum
State museum with archaeology, fine art, cultural history, and science collections, making it the city’s flagship museum stop.
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$142
Fastest journey
2 h 18 m
Average duration
2 h 24 m
Trains per day
18
Distance
245 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Trenton, NJ 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 Trenton, NJ will cost around $142 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 18 trains that leave Washington, DC for Trenton, NJ on Wed, Jun 17, 18 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 17 the direct trains cover the 245 km distance in an average of 2 h 24 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 18 m .
On Wed, Jun 17 the slowest trains will take 2 h 26 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.
198 Northeast Regional
134 Northeast Regional
174 Northeast Regional
86 Northeast Regional
56 Vermonter
56 Vermonter
170 Northeast Regional
174 Northeast Regional
90 Palmetto
94 Northeast RegionalOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Trenton, NJ among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $26. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 26m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $26, and a flight costs an average of $223.
Distance: 152 miles (245 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$74 Average price | $51 Average price Cheapest | $488 Average price | $45 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 56m Average total duration Fastest 2h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration 3h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 37m Average total duration 2h 37m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 Trenton, NJ:
A bus is $23 (€18) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Trenton, NJ costing on average $74 (€60).
A bus is $437 (€354) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Trenton, NJ costing on average $488 (€395).
Other travel options to Trenton, NJ take longer:
Flight takes on average 2h 37m.
Bus takes on average 3h 33m.
You'll arrive about 40m sooner (2h 26m by train vs 3h 6m by car). Tickets start at around $74 (€60) compared to roughly $45 (€36) 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.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
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 Trenton, NJ trains for today, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
170 Northeast Regional | 5:05 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h22 | 7:27 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
130 Northeast Regional | 6:30 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h30 | 9:00 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
172 Northeast Regional | 7:06 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h31 | 9:37 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
56 Vermonter | 8:08 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h18 | 10:26 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
86 Northeast Regional | 8:50 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h27 | 11:17 AM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
174 Northeast Regional | 10:35 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h26 | 1:01 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
84 Northeast Regional | 11:06 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h28 | 1:34 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
134 Northeast Regional | 11:56 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h29 | 2:25 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
184 Northeast Regional | 1:20 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h31 | 3:51 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
94 Northeast Regional | 2:00 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h26 | 4:26 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
20 Crescent | 2:35 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h52 | 5:27 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
148 Northeast Regional | 2:55 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h27 | 5:22 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
178 Northeast Regional | 3:54 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h31 | 6:25 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
136 Northeast Regional | 5:00 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h28 | 7:28 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
138 Northeast Regional | 6:35 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h28 | 9:03 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
192 Northeast Regional | 7:12 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h28 | 9:40 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
90 Palmetto | 7:57 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h26 | 10:23 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 0 transfersDirect | |
198 Northeast Regional | 9:15 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h29 | 11:44 PM Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ | 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 Trenton, NJ run on average 18 times per day, taking around 2h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $12 (€10) if you book in advance.
There are 17 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:20, the last at 23:23. The fastest train covers the 152 miles (245 km) distance in 2h 16m.
Distance 152 miles (245 km) |
Average train duration 2h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $12 (€10) |
Trains per day 18 |
Direct trains 17 |
Fastest train 2h 16m |
First train 12:20 AM |
Last train 11:23 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Trenton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Trenton trip today.
State museum with archaeology, fine art, cultural history, and science collections, making it the city’s flagship museum stop.
A well-known colonial military museum interpreting French and Indian War and Revolutionary War history in one of Trenton’s most important surviving buildings.
Local art and history museum in Cadwalader Park, valued for regional exhibitions and its setting in a 19th-century villa.
Trenton’s best-known major park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, with open lawns, museum access, and a relaxed local atmosphere.
Attractive historic neighborhood with 18th- and 19th-century homes, best explored on foot for local character and architecture.
Civic core around the capitol complex with major historic institutions and a practical starting point for first-time visitors.
A Central New Jersey specialty with a thin crust, cheese under a bright tomato sauce, and a long local tradition in the Trenton area.
A classic New Jersey breakfast sandwich made with griddled pork roll, often served with egg and cheese on a roll.
A regional sandwich with hot dogs, peppers, onions, and potatoes, usually tucked into pizza bread. Popular across New Jersey.
A well-known Italian restaurant offering seafood, pasta, and traditional entrees in a more polished dining environment.
An iconic, long-established spot known for Trenton-style tomato pie with a loyal local following and a casual atmosphere.
A popular neighborhood tavern best known for its thin-crust tomato pies and relaxed, classic New Jersey bar setting.
Prices are moderate by U.S. standards. Budget eats are easy to find, while hotels and upscale dining cost more.
Tip 15-20% at restaurants; 20% for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxi drivers about 10-15%, and round up for casual services.
Traveling between Washington, DC and Trenton, NJ is a convenient journey thanks to the reliable train service provided by Amtrak. With frequent departures throughout the day, passengers can enjoy comfortable seating and scenic views along the way. The trip typically takes around 2 hours and offers an efficient alternative to driving or flying. Whether you're heading for business or leisure, this connection makes it easy to explore both cities without hassle.
Traveling from Washington, DC to Trenton, NJ takes approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes. There are up to 15 direct connections available each day between these two cities. Passengers will depart from Union Station in DC and arrive at the Trenton Transit Center in NJ.
The first daily train journey departs from Washington, DC at 9:05 AM and the last departure is scheduled for 10:35 PM. This connection offers travelers a convenient way to explore the vibrant culture and attractions of both cities throughout the day.
The cheapest ticket price for a train journey between Washington, DC and Trenton, NJ is $11 (10€). This fare offers an economical option for travelers looking to explore the vibrant culture of both cities.
Welcome to the New Jersey State House, a stunning example of 18th-century architecture that has served as the seat of government since its completion in 1792. This historic building is significant not only for its role in shaping state legislation but also for being one of the oldest capitol buildings still in use today, showcasing beautiful murals and an impressive dome. As we explore inside, take note of unique features like the ornate chambers where pivotal decisions have been made and portraits depicting influential figures from New Jersey's rich political history.
Next on our journey is the Old Barracks Museum, which dates back to 1758 and played a crucial role during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Its significance lies in its preservation as one of America’s few remaining military barracks from this era, offering visitors insight into colonial life through engaging exhibits and reenactments. Unique features include original artifacts such as uniforms and weaponry displayed within these historic walls that once housed soldiers preparing for battle.
Finally, we arrive at Trenton Battle Monument—a striking tribute commemorating those who fought valiantly during George Washington's surprise attack on Hessian forces here in December 1776. The monument stands tall at over 148 feet high; it symbolizes resilience while marking a turning point in America's fight for independence with great historical importance. Be sure to admire its intricate carvings depicting scenes from this decisive battle along with panoramic views overlooking Trenton—an experience you won’t want to miss!
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Trenton, NJ 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 Trenton, NJ, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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