- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and broad family-friendly exhibits.
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$120
Fastest journey
1 h 22 m
Average duration
1 h 22 m
Trains per day
32
Distance
159 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC will cost around $120 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 32 trains that leave Wilmington, DE for Washington, DC on Thu, Jul 02, 32 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 02 the direct trains cover the 159 km distance in an average of 1 h 22 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 22 m .
On Thu, Jul 02 the slowest trains will take 1 h 23 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.
151 Northeast Regional
197 Northeast Regional
137 Northeast Regional
185 Northeast Regional
175 Northeast Regional
2155 NextGen Acela
2119 NextGen Acela
2103 NextGen Acela
2107 Acela
2159 NextGen AcelaOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 30m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $12, and a flight costs an average of $219.
Distance: 98 miles (159 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$20 Average price Cheapest | $29 Average price | $464 Average price | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 8m Average total duration 2h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 11m Average total duration 3h 11m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC:
A train is $9 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC costing on average $29 (€24).
A train is $444 (€366) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC costing on average $464 (€383).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 38m.
Flight takes on average 3h 11m.
The journey is about 44m faster (1h 30m by train vs 2h 14m by car) and roughly $8 (€7) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($20 (€16) vs $28 (€23)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Amtrak, Amtrak.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC trains for today, Wednesday, July 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2159 NextGen Acela | 2:37 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h23 | 4:00 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
171 Northeast Regional | 2:43 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h42 | 4:25 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2119 NextGen Acela | 3:50 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h22 | 5:12 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
93 Northeast Regional | 3:54 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h31 | 5:25 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
19 Crescent | 4:06 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h41 | 5:47 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
97 Silver Meteor | 4:46 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h38 | 6:24 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2165 Acela | 4:53 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h23 | 6:16 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
85 Northeast Regional | 5:02 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h36 | 6:38 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
173 Northeast Regional | 5:58 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h34 | 7:32 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
129 Northeast Regional | 6:25 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h37 | 8:02 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2167 Acela | 6:36 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h27 | 8:03 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
193 Northeast Regional | 7:14 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h38 | 8:52 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
197 Northeast Regional | 7:58 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h32 | 9:30 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
137 Northeast Regional | 8:23 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h35 | 9:58 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
55 Vermonter | 8:36 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h30 | 10:06 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2171 Acela | 8:57 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h23 | 10:20 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2131 NextGen Acela | 9:35 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h25 | 11:00 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
175 Northeast Regional | 9:48 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h35 | 11:23 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, July 2 | |||||
67 Northeast Regional | 5:11 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h43 | 6:54 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
151 Northeast Regional | 5:24 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h34 | 6:58 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
111 Northeast Regional | 6:49 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h37 | 8:26 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
181 Northeast Regional | 7:37 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h29 | 9:06 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2103 NextGen Acela | 7:47 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h22 | 9:09 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
89 Palmetto | 7:59 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h45 | 9:44 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
113 Northeast Regional | 8:25 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h30 | 9:55 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2107 Acela | 9:08 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h22 | 10:30 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
79 Carolinian | 9:26 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h43 | 11:09 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
183 Northeast Regional | 9:32 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h44 | 11:16 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2109 NextGen Acela | 9:58 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h24 | 11:22 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
141 Northeast Regional | 10:16 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h29 | 11:45 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
185 Northeast Regional | 11:26 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h31 | 12:57 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2113 NextGen Acela | 11:35 AM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h23 | 12:58 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
95 Northeast Regional | 12:28 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h37 | 2:05 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
2155 NextGen Acela | 12:38 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h22 | 2:00 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
125 Northeast Regional | 1:33 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h38 | 3:11 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
131 Northeast Regional | 2:11 PM Wilmington Station, Wilmington, DE | 1h34 | 3:45 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 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 Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC run on average 31 times per day, taking around 1h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $12 (€10) if you book in advance.
There are 31 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:10, the last at 23:32. The fastest train covers the 98 miles (159 km) distance in 1h 23m.
Distance 98 miles (159 km) |
Average train duration 1h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $12 (€10) |
Trains per day 31 |
Direct trains 31 |
Fastest train 1h 23m |
First train 12:10 AM |
Last train 11:32 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Washington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Washington trip today.
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and broad family-friendly exhibits.
Flagship Smithsonian museum covering aviation and spaceflight, with iconic aircraft, spacecraft, and major interactive exhibits.
Premier art museum with strong collections from the Middle Ages to modern art, plus sculpture garden and rotating exhibitions.
The city’s grand ceremonial park lined with Smithsonian museums, memorials, and iconic government buildings.
Historic neighborhood of cobblestone streets, waterfront walks, rowhouses, and some of Washington’s most photogenic corners.
Scenic waterside loop famous for cherry blossoms and views of major memorials, especially popular for sunrise and spring visits.
Washington’s signature sausage, usually smoky and spicy, served on a bun with chili, mustard, and onions. It is one of the city’s most iconic street foods.
A sweet-tangy sauce closely associated with Washington carryout culture, often paired with fried chicken wings and fries. It is a local comfort-food staple.
Steamed or picked blue crab from the nearby Chesapeake region is deeply tied to local food traditions. It is especially popular in warmer months.
Celebrated upscale restaurant with creative small plates and a warm, energetic atmosphere. It is one of Washington’s best-known modern dining destinations.
A classic, long-running Washington institution known for oysters, crab cakes, and traditional American fare in an elegant historic atmosphere.
Bustling brasserie known for polished French classics, strong brunch, and a stylish dining room that is popular with both locals and visitors.
Prices are high for hotels and dining, especially downtown. Free museums help balance daily costs.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5.
Official public transport app
Union Station, Washington, DC -> Metro Center, Washington, DC
The train connection between Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC is a convenient option for travelers looking to explore the vibrant capital. Amtrak provides regular service on this route, ensuring a comfortable journey with scenic views along the way. With travel times averaging around 1 hour and 45 minutes, passengers can easily hop on board and enjoy amenities such as Wi-Fi and food services while en route to their destination.
The train connection between Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC is direct and takes approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes. There are up to 16 connections available each day. Passengers will depart from Wilmington Station, DE and arrive at Union Station, DC.
The first daily train journey departs from Wilmington at 08:40 AM, providing an early start for travelers heading to the nation's capital. The last train of the day leaves Washington at 11:13 PM, allowing visitors ample time to explore and return after a full day of sightseeing.
The cheapest ticket price for the train connection from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC is $11 (10€). The average ticket price tends to be around $21 (19€), providing travelers with a range of options depending on their budget and travel preferences.
The White House, completed in 1800, has served as the official residence and workplace of every U.S. president since John Adams, symbolizing the heart of American democracy. Its neoclassical architecture is not only a stunning visual landmark but also represents the ideals of freedom and governance that define our nation. As you explore its iconic rooms like the Oval Office and East Room, you'll feel an undeniable connection to history where pivotal decisions shaping America were made.
The United States Capitol stands as a powerful emblem of legislative authority; it was first occupied by Congress in 1800 and has been expanded over time to accommodate America's growing government needs. The striking dome dominates Washington D.C.'s skyline while housing significant artworks that reflect our nation's rich heritage and democratic values. When you walk through its hallowed halls or witness lawmakers at work from galleries above, you're stepping into a living museum where history unfolds daily.
The Lincoln Memorial honors one of America's most revered presidents—Abraham Lincoln—and serves as both a tribute to his legacy during turbulent times and an enduring symbol for civil rights movements across generations since its dedication in 1922. With its majestic marble structure featuring seated statues alongside poignant inscriptions from his speeches, this memorial invites reflection on unity, equality, and justice for all citizens. Standing before Lincoln's imposing figure inspires visitors with hope while reminding us how far we've come—and how much further we still have to go.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC trains use the Wilmington Station to Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Wilmington Station is 1 km from Wilmington city centre. Public transport options include:
Wilmington Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Mikimotos Asian Grill & Sushi Bar, La Fia Bistro
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Wilmington Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Wilmington Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Wilmington Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Wilmington Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Wilmington Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel du Pont, Sheraton Suites Wilmington Downtown, Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need