Administrative-Egg18 t1_j66q3q8 wrote on January 28, 2023 at 2:34 AM

In addition to the Amtrak Capitol Limited (which leaves Union Station once a day at 4 pm), there are multiple MARC (local railroad) trains that leave Union Station in the afternoon and stop at Martinsburg. MARC trains are more flexible because you don't have to book in advance, and it only costs something like $14 from DC to Martinsburg. You can also catch them at places like Rockville in suburban Maryland.

https://www.mta.maryland.gov/schedule/timetable/marc-brunswick

Rscaroll t1_j679g9t wrote on January 28, 2023 at 5:27 AM

Yes, this. Take the Marc train from Union station to Martinsburg WV. M-f first train leaves at 3:30pm last train leaves at 6:20pm. If you miss that you have to transfer to a bus, see timetables. If you want to make the trip a little easier consider flying to DCA. You will probably have to change planes at a hub like Chicago or Denver but DCA is so much closer and easier to travel through. It will be worth the layover and the extra expense so you don't need to take a taxi or an excessively long metro ride. Also DCA early afternoons is not an expensive taxi to Union station if traffic is light. Traffic gets bad at 3:30 from DCA coming into downtown. After 4:15 definitely take metro from DCA to Union station.

If you get a hotel and want to check out some of what DC has to offer just Priceline it and anything but the red roof and the days inn will be nice. DuPont / Connecticut avenue / foggy bottom are nice neighborhoods to name a few.