The cheapest and fastest trains from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC
Cheapest price
$148
Average price
$164
Fastest journey
8 h 50 m
Average duration
8 h 50 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
526 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Wilmington, NC 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, NC to Washington, DC will cost around $164 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $148.
Of the 2 trains that leave Wilmington, NC for Washington, DC on Fri, May 29, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 29 the direct trains cover the 526 km distance in an average of 8 h 50 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 50 m .
On Fri, May 29 the slowest trains will take 8 h 50 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.
3:20 PM8h50Wilmington, NC12:10 AMWashington, DC$1481One-way0 transfers
2:20 PM8h50Wilmington, NC11:10 PMWashington, DC$1801One-way0 transfers
3:20 PM8h50Wilmington, NC12:10 AMWashington, DC$1481One-way0 transfers
2:20 PM8h50Wilmington, NC11:10 PMWashington, DC$1801One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $68. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 18m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $68, and a flight costs an average of $54.
Distance: 326 miles (526 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$161 Average price | $95 Average price Cheapest | $340 Average price | $74 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 47m Average total duration 9h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 18m Average total duration 9h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 18m Average total duration Fastest 1h 18m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() 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 |
This is compared to other travel options from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC:
A bus is $66 (€53) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC costing on average $161 (€130).
A bus is $246 (€199) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC costing on average $340 (€275).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Train takes on average 9h 17m.
Bus takes on average 9h 48m.
Tickets start at around $161 (€130) compared to roughly $74 (€60) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-86.87 (€-70.24). The journey takes 9h 17m versus 5h 43m 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
Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC train times
The table below shows live departures for Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC trains for today, Thursday, May 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:20 PM Wilmington, NC | 8h50 | 11:10 PM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:20 PM Wilmington, NC | 8h50 | 12:10 AM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC by bus, train, or flight
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.
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Jun 02
Jun 03
Jun 04
Journey information
Overview: Train from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC
Trains from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC run on average 1 times per day, taking around 9h 17m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $141 (€114) but you can travel from only $54 (€43) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 09:15, the last at 12:55. The fastest train covers the 326 miles (526 km) distance in 8h 50m.
Distance 326 miles (526 km) |
Average train duration 9h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price $141 (€114) |
Trains per day 1 |
Fastest train 8h 50m |
First train 9:15 AM |
Last train 12:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 35 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Wilmington, NC and Washington, DC from $54 (€43). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Wilmington, NC 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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC
- 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
More options for your journey from Wilmington, NC to Washington, DC
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