There are 10 ways to get from Chicago to Washington by plane, train, bus or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Cheapest option
Train via Rockville Amtrak • 17h 16m
8 alternative options
Train • 17h 25m
Bus • 19h 45m
Drive • 11h 36m
Chicago to Washington by train and subway
Travel safe during COVID-19
Rules to follow in United States
2m
Recommended
Travel within United States
Nationwide control measures in place
COVID-19 help in United States
If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed.
Explore travel optionsDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are recommended
- There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres
- Nationwide control measures in place
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Washington is 800-232-4636.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Washington is recommended.
The social distance requirement in Washington is 2 metres.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636.
Last updated: 26 Jul 2022
Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC).
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Washington is to train which costs $80 - $120 and takes 17h 25m.
The quickest way to get from Chicago to Washington is to fly which costs $120 - $370 and takes 3h 38m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Chicago and arriving at Washington. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 19h 45m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Chicago Union Station station and arriving at Washington Union Station station. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 17h 25m.
The distance between Chicago and Washington is 597 miles. The road distance is 699.5 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Washington without a car is to train via Rockville Amtrak which takes 17h 16m and costs $80 - $120.
It takes approximately 3h 38m to get from Chicago to Washington, including transfers.
Chicago to Washington bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago station.
Chicago to Washington train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Washington is to fly which takes 3h 38m and costs $120 - $370. Alternatively, you can train via Rockville Amtrak, which costs $80 - $120 and takes 17h 16m, you could also bus, which costs $85 - $120 and takes 19h 45m.
- Distance: 597.2 miles
- Duration: 3h 38m
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Washington, DC, USA?
Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago to Washington every 4 hours. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to Rockville Amtrak once daily. Tickets cost $80 - $120 and the journey takes 16h 36m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway to Reagan Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $390
Flights from Chicago Midway to Reagan Washington via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 10m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130 - $390
Flights from Chicago Midway to Reagan Washington via Nashville
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130 - $390
Flights from Chicago Midway to Baltimore
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100 - $330
Flights from Chicago Midway to Baltimore via Pittsburgh
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $100 - $330
Flights from Chicago Midway to Baltimore via Grand Rapids
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100 - $340
Flights from Chicago Midway to Baltimore via Covington
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $110 - $340
Flights from Chicago Midway to Washington Dulles
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 41m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100 - $330
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Baltimore
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 53m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90 - $290
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Reagan Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110 - $350
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Washington Dulles
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 54m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110 - $370
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Washington Dulles via Cleveland
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $110 - $370
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Washington Dulles via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110 - $370
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Washington Dulles via Traverse City
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 1m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110 - $370
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Washington Dulles via Pittsburgh
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 2m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $110 - $370
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Washington Dulles via Richmond
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 13m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $110 - $370
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Washington Dulles via Knoxville
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 21m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $110 - $370
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Baltimore
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 59m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120 - $390
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Reagan Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 49m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $350
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Baltimore
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 58m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150 - $390
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Washington Dulles via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 54m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140 - $470
- Website
- spirit.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Baltimore
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110 - $390
Amtrak’s Northeast Regional train service serves the US’ busy northeast corridor from Virginia to Massachusetts; major stops include Boston, Providence, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Baltimore. Amenities include Wi-Fi, a quiet car, cafe and business-class seating, and travelling with a small dog or cat is permitted. Book at least 14 days in advance for a cheaper Saver Fare.
Rome2rio's guide to Amtrak Northeast Regional
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-523-6590
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Bwi Thurgood Marshall Airport Station to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 38 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $12 - $70
- Schedules at
- amtrak.com
- Book at
- amtrak.com
- Child 2-12 with paid adult
- $12 - $40
- Reserved Coach Seat
- $24 - $70
- Business Class Seat
- $35 - $95
Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities.
Rome2rio's guide to Amtrak Acela
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Bwi Thurgood Marshall Airport Station to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 26 min
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $15 - $80
- Website
- Amtrak Acela
- Business Seat - Child 2-12
- $15 - $40
- Business Seat - Seniors and Active Military
- $26 - $75
- Business Seat - Adult
- $29 - $80
- First Class - Child 2-12
- $50 - $85
- First Class - Senior Citizens and Active Military
- $95 - $150
- First Class - Adult
- $100 - $160
Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities.
Rome2rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Bwi Thurgood Marshall Airport Station to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 28 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $22 - $35
- Website
- Amtrak
- Coach Seat
- $22 - $35
- Premium
- $180 - $250
- Flexi Coach Seat
- $30 - $50
- Business Seat
- $28 - $40
Train from Chicago Union Station to Rockville Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 36m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $80 - $120
- Website
- Amtrak
- Coach Seat
- $80 - $120
- Premium
- $290 - $400
- Flexi Coach Seat
- $160 - $240
- Business Seat
- $170 - $240
Train from Chicago Union Station to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $80 - $120
- Website
- Amtrak
- Coach Seat
- $80 - $120
- Premium
- $290 - $400
- Flexi Coach Seat
- $160 - $240
- Business Seat
- $170 - $250
Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app.
Rome2rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100/1-800-231-2222
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago to Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 19h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $85 - $120
- Website
- greyhound.com
- Economy
- $85 - $120
- Flexible
- $120 - $180
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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The quickest flight from Chicago Midway Airport to Reagan Washington Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 45m.
Chicago to Washington bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Washington station.
Washington is 1h ahead of Chicago. It is currently 04:36 in Chicago and 05:36 in Washington.
Chicago to Washington train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Washington Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Washington is 699 miles. It takes approximately 11h 36m to drive from Chicago to Washington.
Southwest Airlines offers flights from Chicago Midway Airport to Reagan Washington Airport.
Book your Chicago to Washington train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Chicago to Washington bus tickets online with Omio and Busbud.
There are 711+ hotels available in Washington. Prices start at $100 USD per night.
The best way to get from Chicago to Chicago Midway Airport is to subway which takes 24 min and costs $1 - $5.