How long is the ride from Philadelphia to Washington DC?
The distance between Philadelphia and Washington is about 123 miles (199 km). The average train journey is about 1h 57min, but with the fastest train, you'll be there in 1h 48min. The journey is easy and convenient, and the trip takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes.
Trip Summary
Traveling by train from Philadelphia to Washington DC usually takes around one hour and 56 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Acela train can make the trip in one hour and 37 minutes.
Train travel is often cheaper than flying, in part because you can generally take more with you before paying extra baggage fees. It can also be more convenient and relaxing than driving, especially if you'd be driving in an unfamiliar place or driving for many hours nonstop to get to your destination.
Amtrak is more expensive than flying because of the high cost of rail maintenance and several loss-making routes. There are also more popular modes of transportation that people prefer, including cars. They also pay a living wage to their employees.
Distance between Washington D.C. (DCA) and Philadelphia, PA (PHL) Flight distance from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – Philadelphia International Airport) is 119 miles / 192 kilometers / 104 nautical miles. Estimated flight time is 43 minutes.
The quickest way to get from Philadelphia to Washington is to train which costs $16 - $170 and takes 1h 50m. Is there a direct bus between Philadelphia and Washington? Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Philadelphia, PA and arriving at Washington DC. Services depart every two hours, and operate every day.
You can get from Washington to Philadelphia for as little as $20.99. On average, tickets for this connection cost $25.54.
Prices to Pennsylvania from Washington, D.C. average $262.
Washington D.C.'s Union Station is near the Capitol Building and the National Mall at 50 Massachusetts Ave NE. Many Amtrak routes and trains stop at this station, which opened in 1907 and features vaulted ceilings, arches and statues.
How Many Days to Spend in DC? Ideally, you'd come to Washington DC for a whole week or more! If that isn't feasible, we suggest that you need at least 3 days in Washington DC. There is enough here to fill up your days with attractions, museums, tours, as well as great food, music, and art.
How fast do Amtrak trains go?
Most Amtrak trains travel between 110 mph to 145 mph in the corridor, depending on the track and proximity to stations.
You + Two Bags = No Extra Charge
Unlike many transportation options, traveling with Amtrak is twice as nice with our generous baggage policy. When you travel with us, you can carry-on two free pieces of luggage. Each item should not exceed 50 lbs. (23 kg) and needs to be 28 x 22 x 14 inches in size.
Amtrak's Sleeping Car accommodations provide overnight travelers the choice of a roomette, bedroom, bedroom suite (two adjoining bedrooms) that can accommodate one to four people, and accessible bedrooms. In a roomette, daytime seating converts to beds at night.
There are some things you need to know when riding the rails, where the rules are a little different from air travel. Amtrak advises passengers to arrive at the station 45 minutes before departure. Unlike commercial air travel, rail passengers do not undergo intensive security screenings.
The accidents may raise questions about the safety of train travel. While flying on an airplane is the safest mode of long-distance travel, according to the International Air Transport Association, trains are your best option on the ground.
When comparing fuel alone, driving is cheaper than peak train tickets 100% of the time and against off-peak train travel tickets 87.5% of the time.
Are Amtrak Sleeper Cars Worth It. Amtrak sleeper cars are a great way to see the country in a private accommodation. Getting a sleeper car is worth it as you'll be getting free meals and bags included. When you add up the cost savings of a hotel in addition to the other benefits, the Amtrak sleeper car is a good value.
There are usually two stops between Washington D.C. and Philadelphia when you take the Amtrak Acela Express. The Amtrak Northeast Regional service takes an average of 1 hour and 50 minutes to travel from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia. There are usually five stops between the two cities.
Halfway between Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA
The best city between Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA to meet is Edgewood, Maryland which is about 9 miles from the exact midpoint. The town that marks the exact halfway point is actually Park Ridge Estates, Maryland. The closest zip code to the midpoint is 21078.
Cheap Flights from Philadelphia Intl. to Ronald Reagan Washington National. Prices were available within the past 7 days and starts at $127 for one-way flights and $204 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.
How long is a flight from PA to Washington DC?
How long does a flight from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. take? The average nonstop flight takes 3h 44m, covering a distance of 117 miles.
Yes, the driving distance between Pennsylvania to Washington is 139 miles. It takes approximately 2h 34m to drive from Pennsylvania to Washington.
Flying time from Pennsylvania to Washington, DC
The total flight duration from Pennsylvania to Washington, DC is 44 minutes. This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing.
Distance from Philadelphia to Washington-Dc
The shortest distance (air line) between Philadelphia and Washington-Dc is 123.79 mi (199.22 km). The shortest route between Philadelphia and Washington-Dc is 142.29 mi (228.99 km) according to the route planner. The driving time is approx. 3h 0min.
The train journey from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia takes 1h 59m on average and covers a distance of 123 miles.
$21.67 one-way / $43.34 round trip
Washington to Philadelphia drive. road conditions from Washington to Philadelphia. flattest route from Washington to Philadelphia.
Departure train station: When traveling from New York for a Washington DC by train, you will usually depart from New York Penn Station.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Linked by a dedicated Metro station, out of the three area airports DCA provides the cheapest and easiest connections to the city center and popular tourist attractions.
Dulles International Airport is one of Washington D.C.'s major airports. There are three Amtrak stations that are 30 to 40 minutes away by car: Manassas, Burke Centre (in Fairfax, Virginia) and Rockville (in Maryland).
Your seat will be automatically assigned when you complete your reservation. You may change your assigned seat and choose a different seat at any time after your booking is complete by viewing your reservation in the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.
Are there bathrooms on Amtrak trains?
If you want to get up and stretch your legs, there's plenty of room to walk around, with restrooms conveniently located in every car. On shorter train journeys, Amtrak's Coach Class seats provide a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the view.
Rail Hours
Monday through Thursday, 5:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. Friday, 5:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. Saturday: 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. Sunday: 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m.
The cheapest ticket to Washington, D.C. found for each month in 2022 based on historical flight searches by Cheapflights users. Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight to Washington, D.C.. Flying to Washington, D.C. in July will prove the most costly.
The best times to visit Washington, D.C., are from September to November and March to May. In the autumn, the sweltering summer is gone, taking with it most of the high season tourists. All that's left are crisp breezes and changing leaves, which, by the way, look great against all those marble monuments.
Answer: To avoid crowds in Washington, D.C. a good rule of thumb is to avoid visiting during the early spring and middle of the summer. Fall is an excellent time to visit D.C. and temperatures usually remain mild until Thanksgiving.
You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges.
While you are traveling, the lights may go off.
Amtrak will turn the lights off in coach cars at night so you can sleep. Passenger cars transfer power from one to the next via cables; sometimes, these cables come undone during travel, which could cause the loss of electricity.
Passenger trains generally have faster top speed limits than automobiles. On the well maintained lines in America, top speed is usually 79 or 80 mph. There are some lines out west, I've heard, that have speed limits of 90 mph.
The following items are prohibited onboard the train: non-service animals, firearms and ammunition, hover boards, corrosive or dangerous chemicals and materials, incendiaries, martial arts and self-defense items, archery equipment, devices containing propellants, sharp objects, and similar items.
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Private Rooms on Amtrak Auto Train Now Available for as Low as $99.
| Limited Time Fares* | One traveler | Two travelers^ |
|---|---|---|
| Coach | $59 | $118 |
| *Plus the cost of your vehicle ^Double occupancy required for Roomettes and Bedrooms. |
How much can you bring with you on Amtrak?
Each passenger may bring two personal items, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches each, and two carry-on items, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each, onboard.
If you fall asleep on Amtrak and your destination is coming up, an Amtrak conductor will wake you up. When you board the train the conductor will put a destination ticket above your seat to let them know which stop you are getting off at.
You're allowed to walk about the train as often as you'd like. Just make sure to watch where you're walking onboard the train between cars. The safety plates often shift and pinch when the train is in motion.
What happens if you fall asleep on Amtrak? The conductor will place a destination ticket in the holder above your seat. He will usually remind you within 30 minutes of your stop. If you are asleep, he will awaken you.
Any luggage you bring on board needs to be in your custody, stored in overhead racks, under seats, or in designated baggage areas. Travel necessities like pillows, blankets, computer cases or medical devices are allowed. The great news is those do not count toward your two-bag limit!
A: Yes, you can absolutely bring alcohol onto an Amtrak train as long as it remains unopened. Feel free to pack any bottles of alcohol safely and securely inside your allotted amount of luggage. Each passenger is allowed two 25-pound personal items and two 50-pound carry-on items on board.
Valid Photo ID Required
Purchasing documents with a stored eVoucher or Transportation Credit. Traveling as a Pass Rider (active or retired) Storing baggage at stations. Checking baggage (including firearms)
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 466 | 14h 5m |
| Amtrak Northeast Regional | 47 | 3h 9m |
| Amtrak Silver Service | 40 | 3h 34m |
| Amtrak Crescent | 31 | 3h 29m |
Train is usually a better choice, as it goes from downtown to downtown. Most people in this forum would recommend the regional train, which takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes and is faster than one can drive.
Washington, D.C. is one of the most historical cities in the country with lots of attractions and sights, so it's an awesome place to visit. Even if you're short on time, a Washington, D.C. day trip from New York City will give you enough time to see the highlights.
Can I bring luggage on Amtrak?
Unlike many transportation options, traveling with Amtrak is twice as nice with our generous baggage policy. When you travel with us, you can carry-on two free pieces of luggage. Each item should not exceed 50 lbs. (23 kg) and needs to be 28 x 22 x 14 inches in size.
The Amtrak Acela Express train from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia is faster than the Northeast Regional line and takes an average of 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are usually two stops between Washington D.C. and Philadelphia when you take the Amtrak Acela Express.
flying is usually faster
The fly or drive score to Washington can change depending on the number of people traveling, the cost of airfare, gas prices, time spent waiting in the airport, or overnight hotel stops on a long drive.
The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance between Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania is 255 km= 158 miles. If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles) from Washington, D.C. to Pennsylvania, It takes 0.28 hours to arrive.