While not up too early we were up early, our train to Washington DC was at 8am and I wanted to be there with plenty of time to not rush, get my tickets printed as the app was having problems, and I wanted to make sure we were in the line for the train early so I could stash my suitcase as they did not do a baggage service between DC and New York. 

We got to the station with plenty of time, got a spot sorted and then ran the errands. I picked up some breakfast from H&H, some liquids from the drug store (cheaper than the convenience store) and my ticket printed, all with plenty of time. 

Lines were forming and trains were being called, all the back and forth of a large train station with limited platforms. Only 5 or 6 platforms were being used by Amtrak.  The new Moynihan train hall was visually stunning, it was amazing to look at and had a lot or good features. It was signed well, really well laid out, every time you wanted in a modern facility, and it was built in an old historic building. Wins all around. 

Amtrak Acela – Train # 2203

New York Penn Station to Washington DC Union Station

0800-1058

Eventually the platform was called and a giant rush began, not that we were lined up long, thankfully our train was the first departure of this consists day so it was at the platform empty and ready. So we were down the escalators to track level and off to find our carriage. Thankfully we were right at the front of the train in the 2nd car, but it was so confusing because the train was pointing what I thought was the wrong direction. 

We found our seat (thankfully facing the right direction) and settled in. We rolled out right on time and started cruising towards DC. While the train seemed to pick up speed fast it jumped around a lot. More than I remembered. Maybe I just couldn’t remember back to 2009 much where I did this exact journey in reverse. It was really bumpy. 

The ride was very bland. I ate the breakfast we took with us, I watched multiple episodes of TV. We passed though Philadelphia, Delaware and Baltimore and eventually began hitting the suburbs of DC. It had flown past really quickly & easily, no delays, no hassles, what travel should be like. No hurry up and wait, no security etc. 

We pulled into Union Station in DC and we let a lot of people get off ahead of us so I could get my bags and suitcase without obstructing other people. We were still off the train within minutes of pulling in and then off to the Metro Station to take the metro a couple of stops to our hotel in Penn Quarter.