Traveling through the area, need advice

Submitted by aerieinbellingham t3_10n34w4 in washingtondc

I am 100% ignorant of everything to do with the Washington DC area so I'm in the dark. In April I'm going to be traveling through the Washington DC area on my way to Martinsburg WV to visit my kid. The plan is to fly from Seattle to Washington DC then get the Amtrak train to Martinsburg. I might have to get a hotel near IAD both coming and going. My main question is what is the best way to get from near IAD to the Amtrak station (I'm assuming Union Station)? Is there light rail, a bus, should I just get a taxi or Lyft? Any other suggestions are welcome. This is going to be pretty exhausting. I'm a 70 year old lady and don't like to fly (mainly it's the airports I hate.) Anyway, I'd love to hear some thoughts. Thanks.

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Administrative-Egg18 t1_j66q3q8 wrote

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

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Rscaroll t1_j679g9t wrote

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.

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pomegranatecloud t1_j66mgsy wrote

Metro unless you're landing after the metro closes.

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j66mz86 wrote

Thanks is Metro a bus?

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veloharris t1_j66nebx wrote

It's the local mass transit train system. Are the tickets booked? If there is any way you can fly to DCA it'll be much easier to get to union station from DCA.

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carlyslayjedsen t1_j66nl5x wrote

The metro is the local train system. You can take the metro from the airport to metro center (yellow line) and then go to union station from there on the red line. It’s maybe a 30 min trip depending on train service.

Plenty of info online (including a map) but people will be happy to help you figure out the metro when you get to the airport if you need help. Every station has a station manager and the airport especially has tons of people who don’t usually use the metro so they’re used to it. You can download the WMATA smartrip app beforehand to speed things up - it’s a card on your phone that you can load money onto.

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BansheeLoveTriangle t1_j66n6lt wrote

I'd probably just recommend taxi ( https://www.flydulles.com/parking-transportation/washington-flyer-taxi-service ) - you might even be able to skip DC and go to Rockville MD to get the train up. If you go metro you're going to be on it for like an hour+ and have to switch trains.

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j66nn43 wrote

Oh thank you so much, this is the kind of advice I'm looking for.

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BansheeLoveTriangle t1_j66odpa wrote

I've never been to the Rockville station, but I assume it will probably save you some time and be less of a hassle - and probably cheaper if you need a hotel than Dulles or DC

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teamuse t1_j673ebe wrote

the Rockville station is nice. Just make sure that you go to the MARC platform and not the Metro platform. Metro is the subway, MARC is commuter rail that goes to Martinsburg

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Rscaroll t1_j679rue wrote

Rockville is a great idea ! Saves the commute downtown from iad, the commute to Union station, and a portion of the Brunswick Marc line.

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SHAsyhl t1_j66ra69 wrote

Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) train service operates Monday through Friday between Martinsburg, WV and Washington, DC. The West Virginia State Rail Authority maintains stations at Harpers Ferry and Duffields.

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j66rzex wrote

Should I fly to Baltimore instead? Does MARC go there, would it be easier.

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ggrnw27 t1_j66t5sr wrote

There is a MARC station at BWI but it’s on a completely different line. You’d have to take one train from BWI all the way to Union Station, then switch to another train to go to Martinsburg

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veloharris t1_j686qsi wrote

That'd possibly be shorter than metro from Dulles to union station. May be worth timing out.

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SHAsyhl t1_j66uj4s wrote

No, there is no direct train from Baltimore station to Martinsburg station. However, there are services departing from Baltimore Penn Station and arriving at Martinsburg Amtrak Station via Washington Union Station.Jan 18, 2023

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SHAsyhl t1_j66yupj wrote

Baltimore to Martinsburg Train - Amtrak Tickets $38 There are 3 daily trains from Baltimore to Martinsburg. Traveling by train from Baltimore to Martinsburg usually takes around 4 hours and 8 minutes

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toorigged2fail t1_j678q20 wrote

DCA is by far the easiest if switching airports is an option. By far.

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sg8910 t1_j67yo65 wrote

try to fly to DCA

if you fly to dulles, that is so much closer to martinsburg so if possible maybe if you fly to dulles rent a car to martisnburg

dca is only 15min or so from union station,

dulles is like an hour to union station in the oppositive direction

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Reasons2BCheerfulPt1 t1_j680g4x wrote

I think you should stick with Dulles, and take the silver line Metro to Union Station.

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j66rquh wrote

Thank you!!

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Reasons2BCheerfulPt1 t1_j680opu wrote

This is the best advice! We get so focused on the mechanics of connecting that we lose the bigger picture of the journey. Yes, rent a car at Dulles and drive the hour to West Virginia. More time with your family! Less time traveling.

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old_bay_usa t1_j6777u6 wrote

Lots of good suggestions here already. Can you rent a car to get from either IAD or DCA to Martinsburg? If you’re comfortable driving, it’s 60-90 minutes depending on which airport you’re coming from. More expensive but much faster and more flexible, especially if you need transportation around WV.

It also might be fun to book a night in DC. Plenty of museums, restaurants, and fun stuff! Come back here or check trip advisor if you want to confirm whether a hotel/area would work for you.

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j677hvw wrote

I will have to see if I can rent a car and return it in Martinsburg because I won't need a car while I'm there.

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sg8910 t1_j67z2j9 wrote

good idea

you can check pricline for good one way rentals

i do this someitmes from nj to dc and its cheaper than amtrak depending on rates

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j6at8dx wrote

Thank you so much. I've had so much trouble getting one-way rentals in the past I'd given up. This is my preference so I'm going to Priceline right now!

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sg8910 t1_j6maf3q wrote

hope you found one:)

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j6manzh wrote

Thanks, I can see that it's definitely an option. I'm going to weigh whether to rent or get an uber/taxi/lyft. Seems like the cost is in the same ballpark and since it's going to be midnight, I may very well want someone else to do the driving.

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Pittie601 t1_j66zsrg wrote

I wouldn’t recommend the metro. It sounds easy but it takes a while, you’ll need to switch lines and if you’re not familiar with the city it will probably just stress you out needlessly. I would try to get a taxi from IAD (cheaper than Uber! But expect to pay about 60 bucks) and go right to union station. If it’s too late in the day, book a room at the Phoenix Park hotel (across the street from union station) stay the night and grab a train the next day. I throw money at things that stress me out so I guess take this advice with a grain of salt if you’re trying to keep this trip lower cost.

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AnnaPhor t1_j6874i2 wrote

If you have not booked your ticket, look for a ticket to Washington National Airport (DCA). Even if it's a bit more expensive, you'll save in taxi costs.

You can take the subway (metro) from DCA to Union Station. One change. You can also take a taxi and it will be much cheaper than taking it from IAD.

I recommend hotels.com if you are looking for a good price. Use the map feature to find somewhere convenient.

Also a note that Amtrak trains usually leave on time from DC but if you are returning Martinsburg - DC, the train originates in Chicago, and may be later than advertised; something to keep in mind as you book a homeward flight.

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missesT1 t1_j6avnsk wrote

You can take the silver line from Dulles now and transfer to union station. Much cheaper to fly to IAD than DCA from the west coast

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missesT1 t1_j6awlef wrote

Hello Bellingham! We are from Anacortes and moved here a couple years ago :). I would stick with Dulles so you can fly direct. An uber from there to union station will be expensive (~$4 metro to $60 Uber)The silver line runs from Dulles. Take the silver to largo town center. Get off at metro center and take the red line to Glenmont. Then get off at the union station to catch the ride to Martinsburg. If you want to stay at a hotel near Dulles, there are a few right by Tyson’s stop (between IAD and DC) that also have lots of shopping/restaurants.

There are lots of benches for sitting and the metro usually runs every 15 minutes. So give yourself lots of time to catch your Marc, and take your time.

My mom visits us and studies a picture of the metro dc transit system to feel more confident :)

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tealccart t1_j6axzag wrote

Honestly, you should just fly into Dulles (IAD) and take an Uber straight from there to Martinsburg. It’s a 1 hr drive. I just checked on Uber and it’s an $87 trip before tax and tip. Cheaper than a hotel room.

To put it in perspective, google maps says the drive from IAD to Union Station is 40 minutes during non rush hour. If you were driving during a busier time, it’s quite possible the drive from IAD to union station would take as long as IAD to Martinsburg. There is no reason to route yourself through DC unless you’re trying to sightsee or save money.

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j6aybgj wrote

I like this option. Saves me a night in a hotel and a wasted day. All dependent on flights of course. Working through these options.

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j6bpemt wrote

I will be arriving at midnight, I assume Uber runs all night? You are right it's less than a hotel.

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tealccart t1_j6bv7vm wrote

Yeah, you should be able to get an Uber at midnight from IAD.

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ladyorthetiger0 t1_j6mnf38 wrote

Metro silver line to metro center, then red line to union station.

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mentel42 t1_j66nuwn wrote

Honestly that sounds kind of brutal. Google maps says it'll be like 4 hours from Dulles to Martinsburg via rail (you can do it, but it's a lot). I think VRE goes between Dulles and Union Station? You can take the metro (kind of a hybrid subway/commuter rail system), but requires transfers and would take awhile. The metro system is called WMATA

If you need to take train to WV, it's easier to fly to DCA/Reagan. Dulles is far outside the city, DCA is a fairly quick cab ride to Union Station

From Dulles, it's an ~hour drive to Martinsburg, per Google maps. So might better to rent a car or get a cab. That would cost more but save you hours. Or perhaps your kid could drive to pick you up, don't know is that's an option

Good luck!!!

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kelizziek t1_j66t981 wrote

Seriously if this was my mom flying cross-country to see me and asking about trains and Uber I would be helping her figure this out

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aerieinbellingham OP t1_j66uqcm wrote

Thanks for the good thought. Kid knows less than I do, has very few resources, and is being moved every 6 weeks all over WV, OH, PA. They work study, sleep, eat, rinse, repeat and have lived their whole life on the west coast.

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