Transferring from Metro to Amtrak at Union Station

Question

Hi all--My college-aged son will be traveling from DC to NYC on Amtrak. He is a seasoned Amtrak rider, but has never gotten on the train at Union Station. He will be arriving by Metro to Union Station. He is looking for some specific info and pointers in regards to making his way from Metro to Amtrak. Is the Metro located on a different level? Will he have to go outside? Etc... Thanks in advance.

Answer

Union Station is one of the easiest major stations in the U.S. for transferring between Metro and Amtrak, and your son should have no issues navigating it. The Metro and Amtrak areas are connected entirely indoors, with clear signage along the way. He will not need to exit the building at any point during the transfer.

The Washington Metro platforms at Union Station are located on a lower level beneath the main rail terminal. Upon exiting the train, he will go up a set of escalators or stairs into the main Metro mezzanine where the fare gates are located. Once he taps out, he’ll enter a large concourse area that leads directly into Union Station’s main shopping and dining hall.

From there, it’s simply a matter of following the overhead “Amtrak” signs. The Amtrak boarding gates are located in the main train hall upstairs, and the walk takes only a few minutes. He will not encounter any confusing corridors or need to navigate outside streets; everything is indoors, well-lit, and labeled.

Finding the Amtrak gates: After passing through the Metro fare gates, head straight into the main hall and follow signs for “Train Concourse” or “Amtrak.” The gates are located behind the food court area.
Arrive early: Amtrak typically announces track numbers about 20–30 minutes before departure. Arriving 30–45 minutes early is enough for most riders.
Security: There is no airport-style screening, so the transfer is quick and simple.

Overall, the entire walk from Metro to the Amtrak concourse takes about 5–7 minutes. It’s one of the most straightforward rail-to-rail transfers in the region, fully indoors, and suitable even for first-time visitors.

He should have no trouble catching his train to New York. If he simply follows the crowd and signage, he’ll be exactly where he needs to be.