Train travel is on the rise. Amtrak carried 32.8 million riders in fiscal year 2024 — a 15% jump from 2023 and its highest ridership ever.
To avoid unpredictable air travel around the holidays, why not give train travel a try? Here’s our guide to five different train lines that travel in and around NOVA.
Stations near us
There are three main stations in the Northern Virginia area, all within a 45-minute drive to downtown Arlington:
- Washington Union Station (WAS) | ~28-min drive from downtown Arlington
- Alexandria Union Station (ALX) | ~25-minute drive from downtown Arlington
- Lorton Amtrak Station (LOR) | ~45-minute drive from downtown Arlington
With the extensive public transportation options in Northern Virginia, you can easily reach these stations by Metro or bus.
If you prefer to drive, please note that parking at Washington Union Station requires payment (see rates). Parking near Alexandria Union Station also has associated fees (view garage rates). At the Lorton Amtrak Station, a free VRE parking lot is available.
Union Station is a hub for train travel not only on the East Coast but in the United States. | Photo via Flickr
The five lines you can take
Five major lines connect Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Curious where they go and what they offer? All aboard — let’s find out.
🚆 Meet the Northeast Regional Services
Major cities it serves include:
- Boston
- Providence, Rhode Island
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- DC
- Newport News/Norfolk
- More stops
Free WiFi | Yes
Food + Drink | Check out the cafe menu.
Accommodations | Coach and business class.
Pets | Yes
🚆 Meet the Carolinian
Major cities it serves include:
- New York
- DC
- Richmond
- Raleigh
- Charlotte
- More stops
Free WiFi | Yes
Food + Drink | Check out the cafe menu.
Accommodations | Coach and business class.
Pets | Yes
🚆 Meet the Acela
Major cities it serves include:
- Boston
- New Haven, Connecticut
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Wilmington, North Carolina
- Baltimore
- DC
- More stops
Free WiFi | Yes
Food + Drink | There are first-class dining options, a cafe, and cart service available on the Acela train. Learn more about the menus here.
Accommodations | First and business class.
Pets | Yes
🚆 Meet the Vermonter
Major cities it serves include:
- Waterbury, Vermont
- Brattleboro, Vermont
- New Haven
- Philadelphia
- DC
- More stops
Free WiFi | Yes
Food + Drink | Check out the cafe menu.
Accommodations | Coach and business class.
Pets | Yes
🚆 Meet the Silver Meteor/Palmetto
Major cities it serves include:
- New York
- DC
- Charleston
- Savannah
- Jacksonville
- Orlando
- Tampa
- Miami
- More stops
Free wifi | Yes
Food + drink | Check out the dining car menu for the Silver Meteor and the cafe menu offered on both lines.
Accommodations | Checked baggage + bicycle services, coach and business class (both lines), first-class private rooms (Silver Meteor)
Pets | Yes
Get on board with train travel this year. | Photo via Flickr
Just down the track…
As of December 2025, Amtrak is moving forward with the Long Bridge Project, which will create a four-track corridor between Arlington and DC, including five new rail bridges and two new pedestrian bridges. Construction “work windows” will begin in January 2026, resulting in Amtrak schedule changes until 2030.
