The train from Baltimore, MD to Washington, DC
Costs and train times costs from Baltimore, MD to Washington, DC
The train journey from Baltimore to Washington takes about 3 h, with an average cost of $ 26.12. You can catch 6 connections each day on this route. The first train departs at 21:25 and the final train leaves Baltimore at 21:39.
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The journey from Baltimore, MD to Washington, DC
The train from Baltimore to Washington is a popular and convenient route covering 35 miles. Operated by Amtrak, there are a wide number of services to choose from, including regional commuters and high-speed options. All use the same section of Northeast Corridor track connecting the two cities. By far the fastest and most convenient option is the Acela service. This high-speed train connects Boston with Washington, DC, and provides travel from Boston to Washington in just over 30 minutes.
Slower services like the Northeast Regional and MARC-Penn commuter can take up to 20 minutes longer but are cheaper. In total, it won’t take longer than 50 minutes to travel between these two fine cities. Trains depart from Baltimore’s prized Penn Station, an impressive early-20th-century building that’s set for renovation. Ensure that you arrive with at least 30 minutes to spare so that you find your carriage in good time. Once departed, longer Washington-bound service stops at the following stations (faster services stop only at BWI Airport Station):
- BWI Airport Station
- Odenton Station
- Bowie State Station
- Seabrook Station
- Washington Union Station
Crossing Maryland
You depart Baltimore via the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel, a double-tracked arch railroad tunnel. This is one of the oldest such tunnels in the United States, opened in 1873. The views are obscured until departing the tunnel from West Baltimore, following the railway southwest past the University of Maryland. You’ll make a brief stop at BWI Airport, the shared airport of both Washington and Baltimore.
Your train heads due south, passing the Patuxent Research Refuge, a forest-rich national park of 13,000 acres. You’ll cross the meandering Patuxent River for Bowie. From here, you train heads southwest through wide-open fields and sleepy suburban towns into Seabrook. It’s a quick ride over into the District of Columbia via the Anacostia River.
Into the US capital
The views of Washington are immediate. You pass scenic Kenilworth Park, skirting the delightful United States National Arboretum. This botanical garden is particularly pretty in the fall when the park blooms red and gold. The arboretum's highlights are the National Capitol Columns, built in 1828 as part of the portico of the former Capitol. Your train then pulls quickly into Washington Union Station.
Washington Union Station is perfectly placed for day visitors and tourists. Its front doors open directly onto Columbus Circle and the US Capitol. The station itself is well worth exploring with its pearly white archways and detailed sculptures. Look out for the public artwork The Progress of Railroading in particular, which is found along the station's facade. Each of the six statues take the form of Greek gods that are meant to represent American ingenuity. As for traversing the city, the convenient Metro serves Union Station by the Red Line.
Welcome to Washington, DC, home to monuments and monumental museums
The US capital is brimming with iconic attractions, world-beating museums, and political intrigue. As the primary seat of US politics, you can visit the White House or admire the many embassies in its orbit. Yet because of its importance as a world city, you'll also find cutting-edge eateries and bars to keep you fully charged.
Possibly the world’s greatest museum city
Washington is world-beating when it comes to museums. Chief among these are those associated with the Smithsonian. 19 of these impressive institutions are found close to one another, encompassing history, natural sciences, arts, and more. Even better, they are free, making Washington’s Mall the place for culture vultures. Each museum is a veritable treasure trove of artifacts. Highlights include the National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of Natural History, and National Air and Space Museum.
As if the Smithsonian wasn’t hard-hitting enough, you’ll find massive institutions like the National Gallery of Art. Through two impressive buildings, masterpieces from the Middle Ages up until the contemporary era are on display. That includes the country's only Leonardo da Vinci. There are well over 70 museums throughout the capital city, including treasures like the National Geographic Museum. The arts, in particular, are very well served, with ample public and private collections containing world-famous pieces.
Where politics meets history
For those interested in US politics, you’ll find monuments and landmarks to fill your itinerary. The Lincoln Memorial should be at the top of your list. While you've seen it in photographs and movies, up-close, it's a whole different story. Open 24 hours a day, all year round, the memorial is nearly 100ft tall. Next, the Washington Monument stands at 555ft tall opposite, reflecting against the pool between. Other prominent sites along the National Mall include the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
After soaking in Washington’s grand monuments, head to its seats of power. The White House and Capitol Hill both offer tours; just be sure to book in advance. If you've still got the politico bug, you can visit the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. As for history-making, the National Archives contain the actual parchments of the Declaration of Independence. That's not all, either; they've even got a real copy of England's 13th-century Magna Carte. All of this forms part of the David M Rubenstein Gallery, which outlines the history of rights. Finish your political tour off with a visit to Ben's Chili Bowl. This humble diner has become an iconic spot for politicians to dine at, most notably President Obama in 2009.
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