How to Book Train Travel from Orlando to Washington, DC

As the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C. offers many governmental, historical, cultural and architectural attractions. Millions of people visit the city every year to take in its monuments, museums, galleries and memorials. Avoid the traffic by taking the train.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer with internet access.

Book a Train from Orlando to Washington, DC

1. Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak's web site in the "Resources" section below. On the web site, you can book your train reservations via Amtrak's Fare Finder. You can also navigate the site if you have a PDA, Blackberry or other handheld device.
2. If you ordered your tickets online or by phone, pick them up at a ticket agent or at one of the Quik-Trak kiosks that can be found at many Amtrak locations (you'll need to enter your reservation number). If you've booked your trip far in advance, you can also request that your tickets be mailed to you.
3. Realize that some regional trains may not have full-service dining cars. When it is necessary to board a regional train as part of your trip, a snack bar is usually available.
4. Decide whether or not you prefer on-train sleeping accommodations for the 17-to-19-hour trip. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis for an extra fee.

Get Around in Washington, DC

5. Travel around Washington, DC on public transportation. You'll find that the Metro, consisting of both the Metrobus and Metrorail systems, provides a fast and convenient way to get around.
6. Don't drive. Traffic can be very congested and confusing for tourists.
7. Take a taxi. Taxis are not metered in Washington; instead, fares are based on the number of zones traveled. Taxis do have rush-hour surcharges and charges for extra passengers.