Train travel is an environmentally friendly mode of transportation and a popular way to get to and from Washington, DC The National Rail Operator: Amtrak operates approximately 85 trains daily in and out of Washington, DC, primarily along the 457-mile northeast corridor that runs between DC and Boston. As one of the most technically advanced rail systems in the world, the Northeast Regional line has a traffic mix that includes freight trains traveling at speeds of 30-50 mph, commuter trains at speeds up to 125 mph, Amtrak regional trains at 110 or 125 mph, and Acela Express trains that can hit 150 mph.
Key things to know
Union Station is the second busiest train station in the United States (after New York’s Penn Station). Located at 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE Washington, DC, the station is easily accessible by Metrorail and Metrobus. Passengers also travel to the train station on MARC and VRE. A taxi rank is located at the front of Union Station, outside the main hall entrance. Taxis are available but cannot be reserved in advance.
Union Station is a transportation hub offering a wide range of shopping and dining destinations. It’s a beautiful historic building and with over 130 stores and a variety of restaurants, it’s an easy place to hang out while waiting for a train or picking up a friend or family member.
Amtrak Tickets: Visit amtrak.com or call (800) USA-RAIL.
Amtrak Customer Service : (800) 872-7245
Tiburon Closets Luggage Storage Room: (202) 898-1592. Amtrak passengers can store their luggage at the station. Rates are based on the size of the luggage.
Union Station Parking: There are over 2,000 parking spaces available in the Union Station parking lot. Access is available from Massachusetts Avenue, NE, from a ramp on the east side of Union Station, and from H Street, NE.
Amtrak travel tips
- Make reservations in advance to get the best rate.
- Arrives early. Unless specific seats are assigned, seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure a good seat, you can consider the cost benefit of upgrading to Business or First Class.
- Most trains have meals on board, but you can bring your own food and drink. You will have more options if you bring your own food.
- Bring extra charged batteries for your electronic devices. Wi-Fi is available on most trains. Standard 110 volt electrical outlets are available in all service classes.
- Make sure you know where your stop is and your approximate arrival time. Set an alarm for half an hour before your arrival to ensure that you are ready for your departure.
Trains through Washington, DC
- Acela Express — Washington-Baltimore-Filadelfia-Nueva York-New Haven-Boston
- Capitol Limited — Washington-Pittsburgh-Chicago
- Cardenal: Nueva York-Washington-Cincinnati-Chicago
- Carolinian — Nueva York-Richmond-Washington-Raleigh-Charlotte
- Crescent: Nueva York-Washington-Atlanta-Nueva Orleans
- Región Noreste: Virginia Beach-Norfolk / Newport News-Petersburg-Richmond-Lynchburg-Washington-Nueva York-Hartford-Providence / Springfield-Boston
- Servicio Silver: Nueva York-Washington-Charleston-Savannah-Jacksonville-Orlando-Tampa / Miami
- Vermonter — Washington-Nueva York-Springfield-Burlington-St. Albans
Commuter partners
Amtrak operates an average of 57 MARC Penn Line trains every day of the week, under contract with the Maryland Transit Administration, and provides access to Union Station for all MARC services (Penn, Camden and Brunswick lines). In December 2013, MARC began offering weekend service on Penn Line. Amtrak also provides access to Union Station for Virginia Railway Express trains. In addition to service to Union Station, Northeast Regional service trains to / from Lynchburg, Virginia also stop at the VRE L’Enfant Plaza station for passengers with VRE tickets.
Additional train stations in the Washington, DC area
Estaciones de Maryland: Aberdeen, Baltimore, Berlín, Aeropuerto BWI, Cambridge, Cumberland, Easton, Frederick, Frostburg, Grantsville, Grasonville, Hagerstown, Hancock, New Carrollton, Ocean City, Rockville, Salisbury.
Estaciones de Virginia: Alexandria, Ashland, Blacksburg, Burke, Charlottesville, Clifton Forge, Culpeper, Danville, Fredericksburg, Lorton (Auto Train Only), Lynchburg, Manassas, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg, Quantico, Richmond, Roanoke, Staunton, Virginia Beach , Williamsburg, Woodbridge.
The train car
The Auto Train provides transportation for you and your car, truck, motorcycle, SUV, small boat, personal watercraft, or other recreational vehicle from Lorton, Virginia (20 miles south of Washington, DC) to Sanford, Florida (just outside of Orlando ). The ride takes about 17.5 hours and allows you to pack your car and enjoy a stress-free ride without wearing it down. Trains run every day. Sleeping accommodations are available.
About Amtrak
Since 1971, Amtrak has served as the nation’s intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator. More than 300 daily trains, at speeds of up to 150 mph, connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces. Amtrak operates intercity rail in partnership with 15 states and contracts with 13 commuter rail agencies to provide a variety of services. Amtrak’s corporate headquarters are located in Washington, DC Offices are located at Union Station (40 and 60 Massachusetts Avenue, NE), the REA Building (900 2nd Street, NE), 10 G Street, NE and the maintenance facilities of Ivy City in NE Washington.
