The Virginia Railway Express connects Washington, DC and Culpeper, VA over a 89-mile route operated by PRTC/NVTC, calling at 6 stations across 2 states.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- PRTC/NVTC
- Service type
- Commuter Rail
- Endpoints
- Washington ↔ Culpeper
- Distance
- 89 mi
- Frequency
- Weekday peak service on two lines
- Stations
- 6
- States served
- 2 (DC, VA)
- Typical fare range
- $5 – $15
Route guide
The Virginia Railway Express is a commuter rail service operated by PRTC/NVTC. Trains run Weekday peak service on two lines over 89 miles of mainline track between Washington Union Station and Culpeper, calling at 6 intermediate and terminal stations across 2 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.
What to watch for: Potomac waterfront south of Alexandria; Rappahannock River crossing into Fredericksburg.
History & service notes
Inaugurated in 1992 as a joint commuter operation between Manassas/Broad Run and Fredericksburg, VRE serves the federal commuter market into Washington, DC. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.
Equipment
Typical consist on the Virginia Railway Express includes sumitomo Gallery cars, MARC IV bi-levels, F40PH-3 and MP36PH locomotives. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.
Stops along the route
Stations are listed in geographical order from Washington to Culpeper. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.
- Washington Union Station — Washington, DC
- Alexandria, VA — Alexandria, VA
- Quantico — Quantico, VA
- Fredericksburg — Fredericksburg, VA
- Manassas — Manassas, VA
- Culpeper — Culpeper, VA
Sample fares & travel times
Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.
| From | To | Distance | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Alexandria | 18 mi | 32m | $8 – $13 |
| Alexandria | Quantico | 18 mi | 32m | $8 – $13 |
| Quantico | Fredericksburg | 18 mi | 32m | $8 – $13 |
| Fredericksburg | Manassas | 18 mi | 32m | $8 – $13 |
| Manassas | Culpeper | 18 mi | 32m | $8 – $13 |
| Alexandria | Culpeper | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Washington | Quantico | 36 mi | 53m | $8 – $13 |
| Quantico | Culpeper | 53 mi | 1h 14m | $8 – $13 |
| Washington | Fredericksburg | 53 mi | 1h 14m | $8 – $13 |
| Fredericksburg | Culpeper | 36 mi | 53m | $8 – $13 |
| Washington | Manassas | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Alexandria | Manassas | 53 mi | 1h 14m | $8 – $13 |
| Washington | Culpeper | 89 mi | 1h 57m | $8 – $15 |
Connections & transfers
Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Washington, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Culpeper. The corridor passes through cities including Washington, Alexandria, and Culpeper, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.
Further Reading on the Virginia Railway Express
- Riding the Virginia Railway Express: a first-timer's full-route diary
- Best window seats and viewing tips along the line