Train Travel in District of Columbia
Washington Union Station is the second-busiest Amtrak station in the country and the southern anchor of the Northeast Corridor.
Passenger rail services with at least one stop in District of Columbia.
Regularly served stations in our research index.
U.S. census/transit region for connecting service.
Routes serving District of Columbia
The following passenger rail services call at one or more stations in District of Columbia. Routes range from short-haul commuter rail systems to transcontinental long-distance trains; the table below sorts by service type and distance. A useful supplemental resource is the state-level rail capital plan summary for context on funded improvements.
| Route | Type | Distance | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acela | Acela (High-Speed Rail) | 457 mi | Up to 20 weekday round trips |
| Northeast Regional | Regional Intercity | 728 mi | Up to 50 daily round trips end-to-end and segment service |
| Cardinal | Long-Distance | 1,147 mi | Three round trips per week |
| Crescent | Long-Distance | 1,377 mi | Daily |
| Silver Star | Long-Distance | 1,522 mi | Daily |
| Silver Meteor | Long-Distance | 1,389 mi | Daily (status varies; check Amtrak) |
| Palmetto | Regional Intercity | 829 mi | Daily |
| Carolinian | Regional Intercity | 704 mi | Daily |
| Vermonter | Regional Intercity | 611 mi | Daily |
| Capitol Limited | Long-Distance | 764 mi | Daily |
| Floridian | Long-Distance | 1,929 mi | Daily |
| MARC Train | Commuter Rail | 187 mi | Three lines with weekday peak service |
| Virginia Railway Express | Commuter Rail | 89 mi | Weekday peak service on two lines |
Stations in District of Columbia
Our station index covers 1 facilities in District of Columbia, from large urban union stations to rural flag stops.
Travel notes
District of Columbia is part of the Mid-Atlantic region. Riders connecting between routes within the state can use any of the major hubs above for cross-platform or short-walk transfers, depending on the station. For onward travel beyond the rail network, intercity bus and connecting Thruway services often complement the train; consult the operator for current connecting itineraries.
Fare structures, on-board amenities, and ticketing systems differ between Amtrak, state-supported corridors, and individual commuter operators. Long-distance Amtrak trains typically offer reserved sleeping accommodations alongside coach class; corridor services are reserved coach with optional business class; and commuter rail is generally open seating with monthly-pass fare options.
More District of Columbia Rail Resources
- District of Columbia rail advocacy and ridership data
- A weekend rail itinerary across District of Columbia