Why the Pittsburgh-to-D.C. train is worth the ride
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Me with passengers loading onto the train at Pittsburgh's Union Station, heading to Washington, D.C. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Taking the train from Pittsburgh shouldn't be overlooked.
🚆 Why it matters: Driving the Pennsylvania Turnpike keeps getting more expensive, and flying can be a hassle, but the train to Washington, D.C. is cheap, comfortable, and scenic.
🐢 Context: It's a slow journey.
- The Amtrak Floridian takes about 7.5 hours, compared to 4.5 hours of driving or just over an hour of flying.
- With an average speed of 44 mph, the train meanders along creeks and rivers.
🧘 Yes, but: The train lets you truly relax.
💺 Case in point: The seats are huge, and it's almost guaranteed no one will sit next to you. I saw several passengers lying flat and sleeping.
- Download movies, read, or just watch mountain scenery roll by.
🌭 Pro tip: Bring your own food and drinks. The café car also sells hot meals, snacks, and drinks.
- First-class passengers get complimentary breakfast eastbound and dinner westbound.
🚫 Don't count on internet service, even with Amtrak's Wi-Fi — it usually only works briefly near stations.
💭 Ryan's thought bubble: Factoring in airport travel and security, the train only added about three hours to my trip, and it felt worth it for the added comfort.
- My train left three hours late, but Amtrak texted frequent updates, so I just slept in.
🚉 State of play: An underrated perk is central stations. Pittsburgh's is underwhelming but right Downtown, steps from hotels, restaurants, and the river.
- Washington's Union Station is magnificent, on subway lines, and walkable to the National Mall.
Cost: One-way fares start at $39.