The route of Amtrak from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia is direct, and can be covered within an hour or two through the Northeast Regional, Acela, Palmetto, and more. The Coaches are the most popular and suitable cabin to complete this short journey, due to their availability and affordability. The prices of tickets range between $25 and $300+ for private cabins. Passengers can access several discount coupons for children, students, and groups while traveling on this route. Additionally, traveling after 7 p.m. and before 7 a.m., tickets are offered at exclusive rates.
Amtrak train from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, PA
The journey of Amtrak Washington D.C. to Philadelphia uses multiple trains and is a short trip of about 120 minutes or less.
- Line: Northeast Regional, Acela, Vermonter, Palmetto, and Cardinal
- Duration of the journey: 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours
- Distance: 123 to 135 miles
- Frequency: Over 30 daily departures are available between these two cities.
- Departure Station: Washington, D.C. Union Station (WAS)
- Arrival Station: William H. Gray III 30th Street Station (PHL)
Washington to Philadelphia Ticket Prices and Options
Due to the multiple availability of trains like Northeast Regional, Acela, Meteor, Vermonter, etc, passengers get both cabin and seat choices for booking at different price ranges.
| Amtrak Train | Journey Duration | Coach Price Starts from | Business Class Price starts from | Private Rooms start from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160 Northeast Regional | 1 hour 51 minutes | $25 | $101 | Not offered |
| 98 Silver Meteor | 1 hour 55 minutes | $158 | Not offered | $307 |
| 54 Vermonter | 1 hour 47 minutes | $194 | $231 | Not offered |
| 2248 Acela | 1 hour 40 minutes | Not offered | $154 | $278 |
| 162 Northeast Regional | 1 hour 57 minutes | $75 | $120 | Not offered |
| 194 Northeast Regional | 2 hours | $55 | $101 | Not offered |
| 88 Northeast Regional | 1 hour 54 minutes | $103 | $144 | Not offered |
| 2218 Acela | 1 hour 46 minutes | Not offered | $79 | $205 |
| 140 Northeast Regional | 1 hour 50 minutes | $75 | $120 | Not offered |
| 156 Northeast Regional | 1 hour 59 minutes | $75 | $120 | Not offered |
| 80 Carolinian | 1 hour 45 minutes | $131 | $120 | Not offered |
| 90 Palemtto | 1 hour 54 minutes | $103 | $144 | Not offered |
| 124 Northeast Regional | 2 hours 3 minutes | $55 | $101 | Not offered |
NOTE: The prices of Amtrak trains from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia can change depending on travel season and seat availability in trains.
Amtrak Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia Onboard Experience
Amtrak offers a comfortable onboard experience across all train types on this route, with amenities varying depending on the service and ticket class selected.
- Amtrak Coach Class
Coach is the most affordable option and is available on Northeast Regional, Silver Meteor, Vermonter, Carolinian, and Palmetto trains. Seats are spacious with generous legroom, large windows, overhead storage, and power outlets at most seats. Amtrak Free Wi-Fi is available on all trains along the Northeast Corridor.
- Amtrak Business Class
Business class is available on Northeast Regional trains and offers more comfortable seating, dedicated overhead storage, and at-seat service on select routes.
- Acela First Class
The Acela is Amtrak’s premium high-speed service on this corridor. Acela business class features extra-wide leather seats, complimentary at-seat meal service, Wi-Fi, and a quieter cabin environment.
- Amtrak Private Rooms
Private rooms are available on the Silver Meteor and Acela trains. These enclosed compartments include a seat that converts to a bed for overnight travel, a private window, and access to an exclusive dining car.
- Cafe Car
Most trains on this route include a cafe car where passengers can purchase snacks, sandwiches, hot drinks, and alcoholic beverages. On Acela, food and drinks are included in the ticket price for business class passengers.
Available Discounts on Amtrak Washington D.C. to Philadelphia Route
Passengers can access several discounts while traveling between Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia on any train if they belong to a certain category. As Amtrak runs every day, discounts for children, groups, students, and more.
- Amtrak Group Discount: Small groups of 8 or fewer can save up to 60% off on all train types to PHL.
- Children’s Discount on Amtrak: People traveling with kids between 2 and 12 years can get 50% off on tickets.
- Amtrak Student Discount: Students with a valid ID are eligible to get 15% off on travel from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia.
- Early Birds and Night Owl discounts: Passengers traveling between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.. it is valid on this route and all available trains.
Tips for Traveling on Amtrak from Washington to Philadelphia
These tips will help passengers board the Amtrak train successfully and reaching destination on time.
- Book Early: Booking 2 to 3 weeks in advance typically secures the lowest available fare, especially on popular trains like the Acela.
- Best time to travel: According to Amtrak, it is considered best to travel before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m., on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
- Choose the Right Train: The Amtrak Northeast Regional offers the most affordable coach fares starting from $25, while the Acela is the fastest option but comes at a premium.
- Arrive Early at Station: Washington Union Station is a large station and assigns boarding gates 15 minutes before departure. Arriving at least 20 to 30 minutes before departure gives enough time to find the platform, store luggage, and board comfortably.
- Guest Rewards: Passengers can use their earned Amtrak guest rewards to book their Washington to Philadelphia journey tickets.
- Use the Amtrak App: The Amtrak app allows passengers to book tickets, track train status in real time, and access mobile tickets, discarding the requirement for paper boarding passes.
- Check for Rail Pass Options: Frequent travelers between Washington and Philadelphia may benefit from the Amtrak Multi-Ride or USA Rail Pass, which can offer better value over multiple journeys.
- Luggage on Amtrak: Amtrak allows two carry-on bags and two checked bags per passenger at no additional charge. For sports equipment or oversized items, it is best to check Amtrak’s baggage policy in advance.
Both arrival and departure station are staffed all the time offering various amenities within. The Washington D.C. station also contains a metropolitan Amtrak lounge; however, it’s accessible only to business class or Acela passengers. It’s important to arrive on time, as boarding gates close 2 minutes before the train departs.
FAQs
The journey typically takes between 1 hour 40 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the train service selected.
Coach class fares on the Northeast Regional can start from as low as $25, especially when booked in advance. Prices may increase closer to the travel date.
The Acela is the fastest train on this route, completing the journey in approximately 1 hour 40 minutes with fewer stops and premium onboard services.
There are more than 30 daily departures, offering flexible travel options throughout the day.
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available on all trains operating along the Northeast Corridor, including Northeast Regional and Acela services.
Most trains feature a cafe car where passengers can purchase snacks, meals, and beverages. On Acela, food and drinks are included for business class passengers.
Private rooms are available on select long-distance trains like the Silver Meteor. However, they are not offered on most Northeast Regional services.
It is recommended to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure to allow enough time for boarding and locating your platform.
Yes, as per Amtrak baggage policy, passengers are allowed two carry-on bags and two checked bags free of charge, subject to size and weight restrictions.
Yes, booking 2 to 3 weeks in advance usually provides access to the lowest fares and better seat availability.
Yes, passengers can use the Amtrak app to book tickets, track trains in real time, and access digital boarding passes.
