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Union Station

Rail Station and Bus Station
NoMa, Washington
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7.6/10
2,457
ratings
  • Stars
    The folks at Travel + Leisure and Michelin Travel & Lifestyle like this place. Would you agree?
    • Travel + Leisure
    • Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
  • Tips
    J.D. W.
    "Acela is the best!!!"(14 Tips)
    Kien N.
    "Beautiful architecture and a good way to be welcomed into the city."(30 Tips)
    Karl W.
    "Fantastic food court lower level, also good sit down Restaurants"(56 Tips)
    Andy S.
    "Best shoe shine in town!"(4 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon642 Tips and reviews
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  • LaTanya B.
    Great for people-watching, when you have time to spare. Security/station staff are friendly & knowledgeable answering your questions. Head to the lower-level food court for additional dining options!
    Upvoted 1 week ago
  • Kien N.heart icon on user image
    Kien NguyenMarch 30, 2015
    Beautiful architecture and a good way to be welcomed into the city. All the good restaurant chains are here for when you're waiting. There's shake shack, chop't, and chipotle.
    Upvoted 5 days ago
  • Sarah F.
    Sarah FlanaganJune 19, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    If you go off to the side of the main hall in between the Columbus Club and Thunder Grill, the room is nice and quiet. No one ever ventures in there. It's a nice way to find a seat to sit and get away
  • Michael M.heart icon on user image
    Michael MichaelsJune 11, 2018
    Been here 50+ times
    Beautiful station. Pretty easy to get around. Everyone here has to get where they have to go so stand to the side if you want to look around.
    Upvoted 2 weeks ago
  • Bronwyn B.
    Bronwyn BaileyOctober 9, 2013
    Take advantage of the red cap service. For a small tip, they'll happily wheel your luggage to the train & let you board before the crowd.
  • HISTORY
    HISTORYApril 1, 2010
    Completed in 1908, the station was the largest train station in the world at the time it was built. In fact, if put on its side, the Washington Monument could lay within the confines of the station.
  • Staceyheart icon on user image
    StaceyOctober 26, 2016
    Been here 100+ times
    since no one who works in the entire train station knows where these are: the ups + fedex drop boxes are located on the Amtrak concourse between the two escalators, next to Amtrak police booth.
  • Stina P.
    Stina P.August 15, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    beautiful train station with great pre train food options (chopt or shake shack) . don't forget to look up
  • Aubri O.
    Aubri O'ConnorApril 8, 2013
    Been here 50+ times
    A wonderful place to people watch. There's always something new and weird happening. Just make sure you're watching from the sidelines, not the middle of the walking path.
  • Emmanuel A.heart icon on user image
    Emmanuel A.February 7, 2014
    Been here 100+ times
    One of my favorite places in the district. You can shop, eat...and hop on one of the arteries departing the city.
  • Gregg P.
    Gregg PullanoMay 11, 2019
    Been here 5+ times
    One of the greatest stations in America. Amtrak, MARC and VRE can get you practically everywhere and there’s plenty of shopping, dining and amazing architecture in between trains to keep you busy.
  • Chris S.
    Chris SheehyJuly 6, 2015
    Ask for help the first time using the ticket machine - the staff was especially friendly in walking us through the first ticket purchase. It was fast and easy after that.
  • Goksel T.heart icon on user image
    Goksel TanNovember 26, 2017
    For Uber pick ups, if you dont have any luggage, cross the street towards your right and call the driver in front of the Postal Museum. It will save you time
  • Markus T.heart icon on user image
    Markus TarjamoDecember 14, 2014
    Been here 25+ times
    Take time to appreciate the architectural beauty. This travel hub provides means to getting around the city, as well as the region with Greyhound, Bolt Bus and Amtrak all making stops here.
  • Travel + Leisure
    Travel + LeisureNovember 14, 2014
    More than 70 retail outlets make Union Station a shopping destination. Check out the impeccably mixed architectural styles throughout the colossal building: from Classical to Beaux-Arts to Baroque. Read more
  • Evren Y.heart icon on user image
    Evren YigitSeptember 1, 2016
    One of the best places to see at DC. A very beatiful building, amazing.
  • Allan M.
    Allan MackiewiczMarch 10, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    Parking validation available! If you're dropping off or picking up someone for the train/bus, you can have your parking validated. $1 vs $7. Validation machine at the entrance of garage
  • Ryan B.
    Ryan BrownJune 7, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Go upstairs and sit for awhile. Admire the architecture (though under restoration). Oh yeah, and Starbucks has free wifi near Amtrak. And don't sit on the floor, security will yell at you.
  • Kelsey H.
    Kelsey HayesJuly 18, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    You can get anywhere on the East Coast from here. Visit it even if you're not traveling. Appreciate the architecture, the shops and the restaurants. It's a beautiful building.
  • Cristina
    CristinaAugust 4, 2018
    Been here 10+ times
    If you ask a red cap to help you with luggage (it’s a free service but you should tip them), you can get seated on your train before boarding starts.
  • DCCARGUY W.
    DCCARGUY William HopperMay 15, 2019
    Been here 10+ times
    Parking overnight is expensive, use metro or car service if you are going for a few days. Make sure you see the main hall not just the train waiting area. Major history spot in DC.
  • Laura W.
    Laura WhitakerSeptember 9, 2019
    Been here 10+ times
    There are excellent water fountains in the Main Hall just inside the main doors. One is next to the SBUX
  • Desiree R.
    Desiree RoseJune 17, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Gates H-L Waiting Lounge have the best WiFi. It's right in front of Einsteins & Jamba Juice, and Einsteins is a better alternative than Starbucks and its long line anyway.
  • Michael
    MichaelSeptember 29, 2012
    Been here 25+ times
    This is a great place to take kids and watch the trains coming and going from Union Station. There's a raised platform that overlooks the tracks where you can watch.
  • "ScOrPiO LeE"heart icon on user image
    "ScOrPiO LeE"November 20, 2018
    Been here 100+ times
    It's embarrassing that Union Station is in the condition it's in and this is the first place most visitors see their first visit to Wash DC. #CLEANUNIONSTATION
  • Ben B.
    Ben BrooksApril 26, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Taxi queue can be very long. If you're an Uber user calling a black car can be much faster and many wait on side streets. A one block walk can save 5 min of traffic gridlock!
  • Janie-Lynnheart icon on user image
    Janie-LynnApril 22, 2015
    Been here 100+ times
    Beautiful architecture, a myriad of good restaurants and shops. Being a major station, however, it's too much to handle for an introvert at times.
  • Curb
    CurbAugust 12, 2011
    The cab stand waiting line out front is hellacious. Save 15 minutes with Taxi Magic on your mobile phone: book a ride and an immediate pickup at a side entrance (like 1st & G NE).
  • Jeffrey-Ryan B.
    Jeffrey-Ryan B.October 14, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    This is the start and the end of the Acela Express Service, with some service only going to New York and other Acela trains going through to Boston which is the final stop for the Acela Express xx
  • Elizabeth B.
    Elizabeth BursteinJune 17, 2017
    Beautiful train station w a Starbucks, shake shack, and more inside! Make sure you get to the train 10min before boarding!
  • Geoffroy B.
    Geoffroy BablonMarch 31, 2014
    If the million calorie options at the food court downstairs isn't your thing, there's a Le Pain Quotidien on the west side of the main floor, with delicious sandwiches.
  • Majed A.heart icon on user image
    Majed AlashariMarch 29, 2020
    Beautiful train station with amazing design. Many shops & restaurants.
  • Rob H.heart icon on user image
    Rob HavasyJanuary 13, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    Great lower-level food court. Don't be cheap, spring for Ref Cap service, leave your bags, enjoy the building, and board early.
  • Nick C.
    Nick CollinsMarch 20, 2023
    Been here 25+ times
    Pay attention to your track assignment before you enter the exterior track boarding area. It’ll save you time, frustration and worry.
  • Matthew A.
    Matthew AntkowiakJune 25, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    whatever you do, have the person you are picking up walk a block or two away from the station. It is impossible to pull up and pick up someone quickly...
  • Jennifer T.
    Jennifer TurianoSeptember 20, 2013
    Dangerously delicious pies --- hot rod potato pie. Enough said. With some local hot sauce it is a killer dish -- and it comes with a salad :)
  • Rick B.heart icon on user image
    Rick BDecember 11, 2020
    Nice Mall multi-level Mall inside. There are places to sit and relax while you wait for the train or just need a place to sit.
  • Steven T.
    Steven ThibodeauMarch 16, 2014
    Get here early so you can checkout the neighborhood. Amazing views at night of the Capital.
  • Aubri O.
    Aubri O'ConnorApril 8, 2013
    Been here 50+ times
    The netting is to catch falling debris that resulted from the earthquake 2 years ago. Repairs are underway, so it'll be gone soon!
  • Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
    The Beaux-Arts Union Station houses one of DC’s most popular shopping & dining complexes. Familiar retailers join American specialty shops like Appalachian Spring & Alamo Flags -- Green Guide Editor
  • Karenheart icon on user image
    KarenDecember 19, 2021
    Been here 5+ times
    Eateries and shopping while you wait to board your train! Beautifully decorated for the holidays.
  • Brian C.
    Brian ChamowitzMarch 20, 2014
    Juice/smoothie place downstairs (food court) is much better than the one upstairs (Jamba Juice). All natural w/ no added sugar and it's cheaper to boot!
  • Andre H.
    Andre HolmesNovember 25, 2011
    My best Friend Bar tends at Uno's upstairs I'm sure it to early for cocktails but she is soo cool and funny and a wonderful person to check out when time permits.
  • Gilles B.heart icon on user image
    Gilles BoeykensDecember 13, 2014
    Definitly worth a visit, even if you don't have to take public transportation. Beautiful station with lots of shops.
  • Jinnie L.
    Jinnie LNovember 16, 2014
    major hub of transportation - it has everything (access to trains, metro, n buses!! great shops n food court) huge place~ !
  • Sean M.heart icon on user image
    Sean MillerDecember 28, 2019
    All kinds of food and shopping. Easy to spend 2 hours here on a layover between trains.
  • Richard E.heart icon on user image
    Richard EfthimDecember 24, 2014
    Beautiful building inside and out. Very nice food court and shops for visiting groups. Very lively destination!
  • Britt A.heart icon on user image
    Britt AntonyJanuary 27, 2015
    Been here 50+ times
    The architecture is beautiful. Plenty of restaurants and shopping to keep you fed and busy between trains
  • Emma M.heart icon on user image
    Emma McTagueDecember 9, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    Honestly just a good place to even spend a day. Awesome architecture and cool stores to putz in.
  • Kassia B.
    Kassia BukoskyApril 3, 2013
    The netting in the station protects from falling debris after the earthquake. You can feel a slight shaking upstairs when the trains come in.
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