Union Station Washington DC

Union Station DC

Union Station in Washington DC is one of the busiest train and bus stations in the United States. Built in 1907 to replace an older station that had been destroyed by a fire, it is a Beaux-Arts style building designed by architect Daniel Burnham to become one of the main terminals for US trains.

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961. In 1988, a major renovation project was completed that restored the station to its original glory. Today, it is a key element of the city and functions as an intermodal transportation hub, a shopping center, a dining destination and a meeting spot.

The station is located just north of the Capitol building and close to downtown Washington. It is served by Amtrak trains, Maryland and Virginia commuter trains and also by bus companies like Greyhound, Ourbus, Bestbus and Peter Pan buses. The station is also a stop on the Washington Metro system.

Union Station, in Washington DC, by Caleb Fischer

Where is Union Station in Washington DC

The address of Union Station is 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002.

The Union Station neighborhood is a vibrant, diverse, and historic area of the nations capital. It is home to the US Capitol, the National Mall, museums, monuments, and government buildings. There are also many restaurants, shops, and hotels in the area. It is easily accessible by Metro, taxi, and car.

Union Station DC working hours

From 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., the station is closed to the general public. Only ticketed passengers will be able to access the station during that time.

How to get to Washington DC Union Station

Located in central DC, Union Station is easy to get to, whether coming from the airport, another train station, or by car.

Subway: The Metro Red Line stops at Union Station, which makes this the best way to get to it from anywhere in the city.

Buses: Both local and long-distance buses stop at Union Station. The main long-distance bus companies that serve the station are Greyhound, Ourbus, Bestbus, and Peter Pan.

From the airport: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: If you are coming from the local airport, you can take the subway as it is connected to two lines - yellow and blue. You can take either of them to the city center and then change into the red line to Union Station.

You can also easily find shuttle services around this area, take a taxi, Uber or Lyft. If you're driving, Union Station parking garage is available to the general public.

Companies operating at Washington Union Station

Today, Union Station is served by Amtrak trains and bus companies like Greyhound, Ourbus, Bestbus and Peter Pan buses. The station is also a stop on the Washington Metro system.

Services available at the station

The station is one of the most important train and bus stations in the US. For that reason, it is also well-equipped with services to make travelers' lives as comfortable as possible. These services include:

• Free public bathrooms

• Waiting rooms

• Visitor center

• Payphones

• Vending machines

• Wi-Fi

• Drug store

• Parking garage

• Shoe shine

• ATMs

• Lost and found

Food and drinks

There is a range of restaurants and cafes at the station's food court, so you can get something to eat or drink before your journey. Among the restaurants you can find are Au Bon Pain, Chipotle, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Shake Shack and many other places selling pizza, donuts, coffee, chocolate and different types of food. You can either have a nice sit-down meal or grab and go. Vending machines are also around if you need a quick snack.

Shopping

Before the pandemic, the station was a place where you could buy a range of things, from souvenirs to books and magazines. Since the crisis, the station has been trying to return to its previous status as a shopping destination, but it is not quite where it used to be yet.

Still, you can find many shops selling everything from books and magazines to travel necessities, makeup, clothes and even jewelry. Among the shops you can find are L'Occitaine, the Body Shop, Uniqlo, MAC, Walgreens, Lee's flower shop, 

Baggage services

Union Station DC does not have lockers or left luggage service. However, Amtrak offers baggage storage facilities at the station, so you can store your luggage if you need to by paying a fee. If you're traveling with Amtrak, you can expect to pay about $10. If you're not an Amtrak passenger, expect to pay double that price.

Accessibility

The station is wheelchair accessible, and there are also many features to make life easier for those with limited mobility, such as elevators and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.

Safety at the station

Union Station is one of the busiest train stations in the country and, as such, it is also one of the most well-protected. Although there is a police presence at the station at all times and the station is also very well-lit, the number of passengers using the station has decreased significantly since the pandemic, which also culminated in the closing of many of its shops. Since then, travelers report seeing a higher number of disturbances at the station, so the advice for travelers is to keep an eye on their belongings at all times to avoid any problems.

Interesting sights near Union Station DC

There are many interesting sights near Union Station, making it the perfect place to start your exploration of Washington DC. The station is located in the city's historic center, so you can find a number of monuments and museums in the area, such as the Capitol hill, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and the National Museum of American History.

If you're looking for a bit of green space, Union Station is also located near many parks, such as the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue. In addition, there are many commercial areas nearby, so you can find everything you need, from restaurants and cafes to shops and supermarkets.

Union Station DC by Caleb Fischer