About Union Station
Union Station is Washington DC's main intercity rail terminal and one of the busiest transportation hubs on the East Coast. The Metro station sits directly beneath the Beaux-Arts building completed in 1907 — a National Historic Landmark that sees over 40 million visitors per year including tourists, commuters and long-distance rail travelers.
The Red Line platform runs under the building's main hall. From here, passengers can connect without leaving the building to Amtrak trains heading up and down the Northeast Corridor, MARC commuter rail into Maryland, and VRE commuter rail into Virginia.
The station building itself is worth a visit: the main hall has a 96-foot coffered ceiling, a food hall with over 35 restaurants, and retail shops. The renovation completed in the 1980s transformed what had become a deteriorating transit hall into a thriving mixed-use space.
Lines & Connections
Beyond Metro, Union Station connects to: Amtrak (Acela, Northeast Regional, long-distance), MARC commuter rail (Penn, Camden and Brunswick lines), VRE commuter rail (Fredericksburg and Manassas lines), and multiple Metrobus routes on Massachusetts Ave.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- If connecting to Amtrak, allow at least 20–25 minutes between your Metro arrival and train departure. The walk from the Metro platform to the Amtrak gates is 5–8 minutes and security/ticketing lines add time.
- Union Station is in Fare Zone 1 — the cheapest zone. The minimum fare of $2.25 (peak) or $2.00 (off-peak) applies to any trip starting or ending here.
- During Congressional recesses the area is noticeably quieter. During large events on the National Mall (July 4th, presidential inaugurations), Metro trains through Union Station get extremely crowded.
- The food hall inside Union Station is one of the best quick-meal options near the Capitol — over 35 options from fast-casual to sit-down. Much better than paying airport food prices at a transit hub.
- Greyhound and BoltBus services depart from a terminal adjacent to Union Station, making it a one-stop hub for interstate travel at multiple price points.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Union Station have Amtrak?
Yes. Washington Union Station is one of the busiest Amtrak hubs in the US, serving the Acela (high-speed to New York, Boston), Northeast Regional, and multiple long-distance routes. The Amtrak concourse is directly connected to the Metro station inside the same building — follow signs from the Metro mezzanine.
Which Metro line goes to Union Station?
Only the Red Line stops at Union Station. From Metro Center, it's one stop east — about 3 minutes. From Dupont Circle it's about 10 minutes. There is no Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow or Green Line service at Union Station directly, but all of those lines connect at Metro Center, which is one stop away.
How far is Union Station from the US Capitol?
The US Capitol Building is approximately 0.5 miles (about a 10-minute walk) from Union Station's main entrance on Massachusetts Ave NE. Walk south on 1st Street NE or take a short Uber/Lyft ride. The Capitol South station (Blue/Orange/Silver) is actually closer to the Capitol's south side if you need to visit the House side.
Is there parking at Union Station?
WMATA does not operate a commuter parking lot at Union Station. There is a large private parking garage directly connected to the station (entrance on H Street NE), and street parking is available on nearby streets with mixed time restrictions. Daily garage rates typically run $15–25. Given its Zone 1 location, driving in is rarely practical for commuters.