How to Use the MARC Train in Washington, DC and Baltimore

Getting from Baltimore to Washington, DC can be a hassle even though the two metropolitan areas are so close. And accessing the heart of DC can be especially troublesome for those who are unfamiliar with our nation’s capital and who are unfamiliar with the chronic traffic congestion. An alternative to sitting in traffic along the capital beltway or on I-95 is to take the MARC commuter train. With two lines connecting Washington, DC to Baltimore, this travel method is a comfortable alternative.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet
• MARC train ticket
• MARC train map

1. 

   Visit the MARC train website listed in the resources section. You’ll find general information, schedules, maps, etc. that can help you plan your trip.

2. 

   Review the commuter lines. Two of the three MARC commuter lines connect Baltimore to Washington, DC. The third connects Washington, DC to western Maryland and West Virginia. The two Baltimore-DC commuter lines are the Camden line and the Penn line. Both end up at Union Station in Washington, DC, but there are two stations in Baltimore. Camden Station is located on the east side of Camden Yards. Penn Station is located about 15 blocks north of the Inner Harbor in between Charles St and Saint Paul St.

3. 
   College Park Camden Line Train Stop

   Choose a commuter line. If you live between Baltimore and Washington, DC, then choosing your commuter line is easy. However, if you are leaving or arriving at Baltimore, the choice is a little trickier. Weigh departure times, proximity of your home/destination to the stations, average lengths of the train ride, etc. into deciding which station fits you the best.

4. 
   Baltimore City

   Know that both Penn and Camden station has easy access to Baltimore’s Light Rail system and MTA bus system.

5. 
   Penn Line MARC Train

   Understand that the Penn line is the more traveled line. The train cars are newer. There are generally more train cars per departure time. Your scheduled travel time will usually be shorter than the Camden line by about 10 to 15 minutes. Additionally, you will be less likely to experience a delay. Freight trains are more common on the Camden line. To compound the issue, there are only two tracks on the Camden line, while there are always at least three tracks on the Penn line between Baltimore and Washington, DC. Lastly, the Penn line offers trains throughout the day, while the Camden line only offers trains in the early morning until about 9 am and then from the late afternoon until the late evening.

6. 

   Know that the ticket office at Camden station closes around noon. If you need to purchase a ticket and there is no ticketing station, you may purchase a ticket on the train from a conductor. They usually come around after every stop to check tickets. If there was no ticketing station, then there is no addition fee for purchasing a ticket on the train. Otherwise, there will be an extra charge for not using the ticketing booth.

7. 
   Baltimore Light Rail

   Consider purchasing weekly or monthly tickets. In addition to being priced at a discount, they will also count as weekly or monthly passes for Baltimore’s Light Rail system, MTA bus system, and metro. They also count as bus passes on the Washington, DC bus system, as long as the bus line crosses into Maryland at some point. They do NOT count as passes on the Washington, DC metro system.

Tips & Warnings

• BWI airport, located between Washington, DC and Baltimore has easy access to the Penn line.
• Purchase a Student Advantage Card if you are a student. This gives you a 15% discount on weekly and monthly passes.
• Each MARC commuter train usually has one quiet car. No cell phone calls or loud conversations are permitted. If you forget, the riders will be quick to remind you.

Resources

• Marilyn Brodeur
• MARC Homepage

[kristara]

on 8/6/2009 Very useful train info 5*