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2025 Presidential Inauguration Travel Tips

This historic event on January 20 and surrounding activities are expected to draw large crowds to Washington, DC. Amtrak is working with local, state and federal officials to help ensure you have a safe and memorable weekend. Many of the inauguration events and festivities are just blocks away from Washington - Union Station.

If you're planning on coming to the area for the Inauguration and related activities, here are a few details to keep in mind before you head out the door.

Washington - Union Station Travel Advisory

 

Between January 18 - 21, please prepare for several modifications that will limit public access to the station. Amtrak train services are planned to continue as normal but please follow special signage to access entrances, services and boarding gates for Amtrak, MARC, VRE and Metro services, and the parking garage and bus deck. Allow additional time to arrive at Washington - Union Station before departure.  

Pedestrian and Vehicle Traffic Delays: Special pedestrian and vehicle traffic patterns around Washington - Union Station are in place and will require extra time to get to the station. Follow the instructions of station personnel and law enforcement for exiting and entering the station.

Taxi & Rideshare Restrictions: Once arriving at the station, there is very limited or no access to taxi or ride share services.

Adjusted Metro Service: Metro is operating adjusted service, following a Saturday schedule, but operating longer hours from 4 am to midnight.

Ticketing

All Amtrak trains operating in the Northeast require reservations prior to boarding. Customers are advised to book as early as possible to ensure availability. Customers can purchase tickets on Amtrak.com, Amtrak mobile apps or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Amtrak Multi-ride tickets will be honored for travel to the Washington, DC area on January 20. Except for trains where Multi-Ride tickets are normally restricted.

Don’t miss your train home: due to increased ticket demand, customers are encouraged to pick up roundtrip tickets (departure and return tickets) before boarding the train for Washington, DC. On January 20, Amtrak’s ticketing office will be closed.

Access to Washington - Union Station

Saturday, January 18

Access to Washington - Union Station, on 50 Massachusetts Avenue, as well as the Main Hall, will close beginning at 6 pm. The only available public entrances after 6 pm include:

  • The two entrances to the Main Hall.
  • The West Portico entrance on 40 Massachusetts Avenue near the Metro entrance (inside the station, the entrance near Uniqlo).
  • The First Street Metro entrance on the west side of the station (enters into the Metro station but the public can still access Union Station).
  • H Street entrance to the station through the parking garage.
  • The ticket counter and main concourse.

Sunday, January 19

Access to the station will be limited in preparation for a special event the evening of the 20th. The main entrance to Washington - Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue will be closed.

Monday, January 20 - Inauguration Day

Access to Washington - Union Station, on 50 Massachusetts Avenue, as well as the Main Hall, will be closed.

  • The ticket counter and other ticketing services will be closed. Passengers should use the Amtrak mobile app, or call 1-800-USA-RAIL for assistance. Only minimal rebooking transactions will be done and those will be cashless.
  • All retail shops and food and beverage places will be closed. 
  • The ticketed passenger waiting room will be closed. 
  • Amtrak, VRE and MARC customers with tickets will be able to enter the station. Heated buses will be parked along First Street by the West Porch to provide shelter for customers waiting to enter the station. 
  • Red Cap assistance will be limited and available via the West Portico entrance at 40 Massachusetts Avenue.
  • Restrooms will be open. Additional portable restrooms may be available outside the station.
  • Traffic will be allowed into the parking garage until 5 pm then there will be no further entry. No one will be permitted to leave the garage after 7 pm (until after midnight).
  • Taxis will be located on the H Street bridge behind the station (6 am - midnight) and the intersection of North Capitol Street and G Street via the Metro exit on the lower level (12 pm - midnight).
  • Parcel check and baggage storage services won’t be available.

Travel Planning Tips & Details

  • In & Around Washington - Union Station
    • Due to increased security, access to Washington - Union Station will be limited to select points of entry January 18 - 20.
    • Amtrak Ambassadors wearing high-visibility vests will be on hand to assist customers and answer questions at Washington - Union Station and several other Northeast Corridor stations including New York - Penn Station, Philadelphia - William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Wilmington and Baltimore - Penn Station. 
    • Restroom facilities in the station are limited and will be extremely crowded, so consider using the restroom before detraining and before returning to the station for your return trip. Portable facilities may be available outside the station for public use.
    • All food, beverage and retail establishments in the station will be closed on January 20. Passengers should plan to not use station amenities and food vendors due to closures and large crowds. Food service will also be available aboard Amtrak trains.
  • Boarding & Detraining
    • Due to high volume of expected traffic and with numerous trains arriving within short time frames, customers may be asked to remain on board for a short period of time prior to detraining to ensure the safe and orderly movement of customers through Washington - Union Station.
    • Conductors may stagger departures to allow customers to exit to avoid overcrowding in the station.
    • Customers with disabilities or those requiring assistance should request ahead of time by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
    • In the event of a service disruption, it may take additional time to provide alternate transportation or accommodations due to the large crowds.
  • Baggage
    • Pack lightly. There will be no baggage or parcel storage available at Washington - Union Station.
    • Tag your bag and keep it close. Due to increased crowding it will be challenging for Amtrak personnel to respond to calls related to lost items. 
  • Prohibited Items

    Get a list of items prohibited from the inaugural event sites and locations. Review Amtrak's full list of prohibited items in stations and onboard. 

  • Security

    Heightened front-line and behind-the-scenes security measures will be in stations and aboard trains, and may include:

    • Amtrak Police officers, along with state, federal and local law enforcement partners will be enhancing patrols.
    • Additional K-9 units (please do not approach or attempt to pet police dogs).
    • Increased identification checks. 
    • Passenger, carry-on and checked baggage screening.

     

    If you see something, say something. Report any suspicious activity or unattended items to an Amtrak employee or member of the Amtrak Police Department at 1-800-331-0008, by calling 911, or by sending a text to APD11 from a smartphone, or to 27311 from a standard cell phone. Learn more about our onboard safety procedures.

  • Intermodal Updates

    Supplementing Amtrak service in the Washington, DC, area will be Metro and commuter rail service in Maryland and Virginia.

    MARC
    MARC Penn Line service between Baltimore and Washington, DC and Brunswick Line between Brunswick, Maryland, and Washington, DC, will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Monday, January 20. All seating will be unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. MARC will continue to closely monitor the needs of its customers and adjust its operating plan as needed. Get more information about MARC train services.

    VRE
    The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) will operate on an “S Schedule,” which will offer reduced service from the normal operating schedule. Specific train times can be found at VRE.org/schedule. Only trains with an “S” above the train number on the schedule will operate. Get more information about VRE train services.

    WMATA Metro
    Metro will be operating on a Saturday service schedule but will be operating longer hours, from 4 am - midnight. They will offer 4-minute headways all day on the Red Line.

Social Media

Information will be available prior to and during Inauguration Day on various social media sites. Some of the Twitter handles used to communicate information from inaugural partners include:

Additional Resources

For helpful links and other important information regarding inaugural events and activities, visit these sites:

Maps

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