I've always found this station easy to navigate. It is super close, walking distance to the Metro…read morestation as well. There is a few hotels within walking distance and many stores and eateries. You can totally make Alexandria your main hub to get in and out of DC. The area is quiet and peaceful at times. The station has vending machines, pew seating, bench seating, a covered area while you wait for the train. When you get off there is two ways to get to the other side of the track. One is walking across the tracks... safely. The other is the underground tunnel and stairs. There is also restrooms, and a few parking spots. I've never had any issues with staff. They run a tight ship and get travelers in and out and where they need to be. Educate yourself the best you can with process and it will help. Asking questions also helps. HOT TIP: If you're not in a rush, have someone pick you up 15-20 min after your your train arrives. Less hassle with other cars around. I just sit and watch the trains come and go while I wait. People watch too.

Rolled up late, to a late train but glad I did. Walked to…read morethe back of the train station to acces the waiting area because after 9 the front doors facing the street are locked. Waited just a few minutes, the train arrived and boom off on my weekend adventure. Remember the quiet car is for quiet. No tally talky. A new rider was telling me it was her first time and the professional and friendly staff reminded us that it was the quiet car.. hint hint. Time to sleep. Did want to note that Track 3 is the track right outside the station waiting area. My first time leaving from this location and had to ask. ‍

Train has been consistently late or tracks under repair for over two weeks. Notification today at…read more4:01am said all trains were running on time. Still standing on the platform at 5:15 and no train...no schedule update. Officially done with VRE. Several others on the platform said they are now switching to other commute options. The only consistency in the VRE schedule is that it is inconsistent and non existent. Update: 5/8/26 Yes... continuing the disappointment, VRE is late for yet another consecutive time. 20 minute delay is what is claimed, but who are they kidding. Update on the update: trains now delayed 45 minutes. Update on the updates update: trains now moving. They are 1 hour behind. The train still has not arrived, but at least it is moving. I decided to go home and take a vacation day. By the time I get to work, I am already late and need to use leave to make up the time. Might as well stay home. My prediction is next week... continued construction followed by more delays, disappointment, and riders seeking out commuter buses, van pools and slug lines. I have already made the switch. I recommend you do the same.

Nice train and the conductors are friendly BUT they are late practically EVERYDAY! Both coming and…read moregoing home...Sigh...

Amtrak/VRE/Metro - King Street Station, Old Town Alexandria VA…read more At the start of a weekend trip from Alexandria to Newport News, I was booked on one of Amtrak's Northeast Regional trains. I've lived in Alexandria for about 15 years and appreciate the reach of trains stopping in Old Town. The transit footprint includes the Blue and Yellow Metro rail lines, the VRE commuter rail, and both CSX freight and Amtrak passenger trains - making the station exceptionally versatile. The Amtrak station opens at 6 a.m. - and there's an excellent 24-hour diner a block away, near the Hilton serving Old Town King Street. One of the not-so-great features of the Amtrak side of the station is that passengers heading into D.C. may have to cross over the tracks or face a lot of steps up and down to get from one set of tracks to the other. Complicating the process is the practice of withholding information about which track incoming trains might be using, so we won't know what side of the tracks we will be boarding from. That's all going to change: the site is undergoing major construction changes that will eliminate having to cross the rails on foot. While the construction will likely take most of the year to finish, the result should be amazing. We saw a similar investment in the site two years ago when the WMATA/DASH side of the station was overhauled, greatly improving safety for all who use the station. According to the station's website, the contractor must achieve substantial completion within 756 consecutive calendar days from the Notice-To-Proceed (NTP), issued December 2025 (so figure it'll be under construction until early 2028). This is a station of historic standing, within a stone's throw from the Washington Masonic Temple monument. Once the dust clears, passenger safety will see a significant improvement, as will train traffic.

This is an above ground metro station and super convenient to Old Town Alexandria as well as…read moreNational Harbor, Maryland. To save on Uber/Lyft fees, I took the metro from DCA to this station, then took a bus to National Harbor. The bus area is right outside the metro station and fairly easy to navigate. This station is also in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. I was able to walk around and see a little of it, but if you have more time, you can take the free trolley around Old Town- it also stops here. There really isn't much you can walk to unless you have a good amount of time before your bus arrives, so my suggestion is to stay put and not try to find coffee, food, or drinks. I wish there was a convenience store or coffee shop closer!

Potomac Riverboat Company, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia…read more September 2026 Living in Old Town, Alexandria for 15 years I've learned to appreciate the multiple ways of getting around the DMV. When the Anthem opened not too many years ago, I discovered the Potomac Riverboat Company and its Water Taxi. It proved to be the perfect way to get from Old Town Alexandria to the Anthem on the Wharf, where Sara Bareilles was performing in mid-September 2026. The Anthem is an outstanding venue - seating maybe 6,000 and hosting performances by the likes of the Killers, Sarah McLachlan, Dark Star Orchestra, and the Indigo Girls. And, on nights where the Anthem is hosting a performance, the Water Taxi offers a $2 discount to concert-goers using the taxi to get to the show. (Note that except for special events like baseball games, the last returning taxi from the Wharf to Old Town departs around 8 p.m., ruling out using the taxi to return after an evening concert.) The 6:30 p.m. taxi to the Wharf left right on time from a dock that is easy to spot once you know where to look . . . but if it's your first time you might want to consult with the folks in the ticket-selling kiosk across from Blackwall Hitch. Once in line an attendant scanned the QR code on my phone and I was on my way. It cost $19 for the one-way senior/military rate, less the $2 discount I got for using the code showing I would be going to the Anthem. It's a scenic and relaxing 30-minute ride, taking you past the Naval Research Facility, with its huge outdoor golfball-looking spheres sheltering its radar facilities, and Fort McNair, a United States Army post located on the tip of Buzzard Point that's also historically known as the Washington Arsenal. The taxi offers an inside cabin with ample seating, and an upper-deck that has seating and offers outstanding views of the Potomac River shorefront. There's a marine toilet that operates like those on airplanes, and a snack bar with alcohol and non-alcohol offerings. This is the kind of transit option that makes living in the DMV a real pleasure.

Entire experience was nice on evening trips. Excellent sunset! Staff were super friendly and…read morehelpful. Nothing fancy but was well with it!!

Clean station. Helpful staff…read more Signage everywhere so you know when the trains are coming/going Safe.

The Old Town Amtrak station is a nod to the past. Probably little has changed since 1900. It is…read moregreat if you like the historic aesthetic, but the station does not have many modern amenities. For Old Town it is well located and despite its size is a busy station serving the northeast corridor and VIrginia Railway Express.

Not closed. Address is misleading. Entrance is at 1775 Diagonal Rd…read more Stupid me...lost my SmarTrip card. No problem. The Old Town Transit Shop is across the street from King St. Station. Handed the clerk a "fiver" and got a replacement card in less than a minute. Too easy, too breezy!

When the metro card decides to break in two, its nice to know that the Old Town Transit Shop is…read morejust down the street. One thing I really wish that locations like this could do - the ability to transfer the balance from your broken card to the shiny new card that you just bought. It just seems kind of pointless that after I get my card, now I have to call someone to finish the transaction. Alternative - they could let you do this online too.

There are some glitches, but overall I had to give this hotel five stars because the people are so…read morekind, helpful, and knowledgeable. The hotel is really beautiful and there is nothing I like more than a courtyard. This area is well-maintained and very relaxing. It also is a great space to wait to get into the restaurant and bar associated with the hotel. The rooms are very attractive and well laid out. The rooms are also specious and updated. The only problem is the shower which is slippery and has no bar. It also takes a few minutes for the water to warm up. One of the most wonderful aspects of the hotel is that if a room is ready you do not have to wait for the check-in time. What a great way to run a business!!! Parking is about fifty dollars a night. But if you want to leave late there is no extra charge. The hotel also gives you a twenty-five-dollar credit for Home Grown - the breakfast restaurant associated with the hotel. The people who run this hotel make you feel like you are important and they want you to stay without squeezing every penny from clients by adding extra costs. Old Town, Alexandria, is charming with several small museums, lots of boutiques and small shops, and great food. The people are not so friendly, but the service sector makes up for that. Additionally, the trolley and buses are free, and the Metro is close by.

Great stay! Our…read moreroom was lovely and had a cute balcony. I wish it was a little bigger for two people to enjoy coffee in the morning. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Great location to explore Old town Alexandria for a little getaway!

Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria, Virginia…read more When Bruce Springsteen announced he and the E Street Band would be performing at Nationals Stadium in D.C., I reached out to family and friends to see if they could be in town for the show. When my sister responded that she could make the show I immediately looked for a hotel in Old Town Alexandria (VA). I've lived in Alexandria for 14 years and believe we're well served by the hotels operating locally. Because she would be arriving from New York on Amtrak, I looked for hotels in Alexandria that are within walking distance of the King Street Metro station. There's an Embassy Suites, a Hampton Inn, a Hilton, and a Hyatt Centric, all within a five-minute walk from the Metro station. Right from the start the experience was a good one. My reservation was quickly recognized, as was my membership in the World of Hyatt, Hyatt's loyalty program. I was able to cover the cost of two nights ($580.92, including taxes, total for the two nights) when I checked my sister into the hotel. The hotel is perfectly located for using the Metro bus and rail lines (a five minute walk to Metro's Yellow and Blue lines and bus lines) - including the bus that will take you across the river to the MGM Grand Hotel in Oxon Hill, Maryland. There's also a free bus and trolley circulator and free DASH buses that all share a bus stop directly across the street from the hotel. The bar is well stocked and staffed by friendly and courteous bar staff. There's a valet service (best to check first about the cost - I think it was $45 per night but I didn't need it so I'm not sure I have the price right). The Hyatt Centric Old Town is probably the newest of the national brand hotels located near the King Street Metro station. It's clean, reasonably priced for the area, and as far as I can tell it's a safe and secure option for visitors to the DMV (District, Maryland, and Virginia).

Hyatt Centric Old Town was a great stay for the location and its proximity to the rail station,…read morerestaurants and overall convenience. I found the rooms to be extremely small though. The gym was minimum (very small). Upon arrival no valet in sight and we were greeted with a long line. One person checking everyone in. The staff here weren't accommodating when I requested to put the $45 per day parking on a different card. Suggested I process the check in and come back later to pay for parking on that card and valet the car. I had a function to be at and no time for this. Unacceptable! Staff should have expertise in multi tasking and have the capability to do this. This was not an unreasonable ask. Overall, this stay was a perfect location. The bed slept well and it was sufficient for a two night stay. I'm typically not a Hyatt customer. This hotel was chosen because it wasn't extremely dated like many of the others in the area.

Why does it feel like you have to train for a marathon to use this station. Like you probably walk…read morea half mile just to get from the bus depot to the platform. Even though there are two entrances here, it doesn't make a difference. It honestly feels like they meant for this station to spawn some development. Like they wanted developers to build around the station to make it feel included. But what they got was a station that sits alone. Divided from the apartments, businesses, and plaza within eyeshot. It doesn't help that you have to cross over the railroad tracks to get to the Metro tracks either. It just feels so isolated, which is so odd. To the one end of the platforms is a neighborhood, but there is no real connection for them to access this unless they want to drive a great distance around or walk a very lonely road which I would not do. What also doesn't help here is how wide open it is. Yes, it is covered, but that does not stop the wind from whipping at you. The covering is nice if precipitation only came straight down. Add in that wind, it does not matter that you are on a covered walkway or landing, you will get soaked. With how cold it an get in the area, then add in how close to the river you are, it can be quite the chilly journey. I honestly shouldn't have even come to this station, but my day was ruined and I ended up using this as a turnaround spot for myself. That is after hitting up a store...half mile away. (Seriously, I think it was a half mile to get to this store).

Horrible design. Ridiculously long walks to get to platforms. In stormy weather there is virtually…read moreno place to go to avoid getting soaked. Terrible, terrible, terrible...had such opportunity and blew it big time.