First time on a long-distance Amtrak ride, from Chicago to NYC, when my flight was canceled. This…read morewas on regular coach seats; roomettes were sold out. The trip was quite reasonable: it got the job done and the comfort level was better than expected, despite a full train. Most passengers were considerate (except for one family that played a TV show loudly on a cellphone; an annoyance that reflected more poorly on them than bothered people sitting more than two rows away). I also liked it that my car at least had a faucet for dispensing drinking water, and a good supply of cups. On a long trip, staying hydrated is important. (I am not sure if all cars had water dispensers though.) My only complaint is the bathrooms -- they got increasingly dirty over the trip. Towards the last quarter of the trip, one of the bathrooms became unusable because it looked like someone peed on the floor. I don't think he (or they, if it was cumulative) did it on purpose; the toilets are very small, and on a rolling train, it's easy to miss. Fortunately they were other bathrooms that remained, not clean, but at least usable (for gents). Oh, even though the ride is called "Lakeview", you only saw a lake (Lake Erie) for about 1 minute. The rest of the trip was land on both sides, except for crossing rivers. No big deal; most of trip was night anyway.

Acela was completely filthy on both legs of our roundtrip. On the way back, the toilet didn't even…read moreflush. It was worse than you regular train. The bathrooms were filthy, the windows were filthy, and the train compartments were filthy. Why do have someone collecting trash during the trip when it would be better to have someone regular clean the train compartments?

I love the AeroTrain when I can use it. Note this is NOT the Metro subway train. It takes you from…read morethe main Terminal building to Terminals A, B, & C. It's quick and efficient vs the rolling mobile lounges. Unfortunately you'll mostly only use it when you're departing vs arriving at the airport,. particularly if you're traveling on an international flight requiring you to clear customs first, which means taking the mobile lounge. They're clean, fast, usually running every 5 minutes or so. Not much seating so you'll likely be standing. Some complain about the walk to the gates from the train stop, but given that it's been built into the airport long after the original terminals were constructed, I think it's reasonable, especially to avoid the mobile lounges. Plus I like the last chance to stretch my legs before being cooped up in a plane for hours. The long term plan is to continue to build it out, particularly to the next set of terminals that are being planned (currently this review is late 2025) to begin building in the next few years pending funding (we know how that's going this year). If you can take it when you're traveling, do so.

This is the transportation to the A, B and C gates. (With A, C using the same Train)…read more The train arrival intervals are usually 5 minutes or less. The ride itself is less than a minute. The cars are always clean and, given the really short ride, mostly standing with limited seats on one side of the car. After the short ride you take a couple of escalators or elevator to the B Gates. As many times as I've used this transport there hasn't been any delays or mechanical issues. Maybe the shortest ride from the Main Terminal to Gates ever.

I visited the Strasburg Rail Road recently, but not for the train ride this time and it still…read moreturned into a really easy outing with kids. When we first got there, staff greeted us and let us know when the next train was leaving. I hadn't planned ahead to ride this time, but they also told us there's a park a little ways down that's included at no additional cost, which was a really nice option to have. From the parking lot at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, you can actually see the playground behind a fence across the street. Once we walked over, we just took our time looking at the trains up close, passing the shops, and letting the kids explore as we went. The playground isn't huge, but it works. It's not gated, but it's tucked in enough that I wasn't worried about my kids running off. The ground is tire shred (which I prefer over tan bark), and there's seating for adults nearby. Bathrooms are right by the playground, which makes a big difference with little kids. There's also a Thomas the Train LEGO display at the Toy Train Store (not too far from the playground) which my kids loved. Next time, I'll plan ahead to include the train ride, but this was still a really good visit.

We came here about an hour before our train and spent some time walking around the little shops…read more There was a small empty stage, and my sister stepped onto it for a quick joke picture my mom wanted to take. A man sitting nearby suddenly yelled at her that she wasn't allowed on the stage. My mom and sister apologized right away, but I jokingly said to my sister, "He probably doesn't even work here." The man immediately jumped into the conversation with an attitude and said, "I actually do work here." The whole interaction felt unnecessarily aggressive from the start. He was dressed in plain clothes with no name tag, uniform, or anything showing he worked there, so there was no clear way for visitors to know he was staff or that the stage was off limits. The situation could have been handled much more politely and professionally. Because of that experience, I honestly wouldn't come back. I also wanted to quickly add that if there was a sign, we did not see it.

One ride with a transfer and and setting foot in three key stations should be enough for a review…read moreof Washington D.C.'s Metro system (operated by WMATA in concert with a bus system). I guessed that this rapid rail system was inaugurated after the Bay Area's BART and before Atlanta's MARTA. That was the case, with it being inaugurated in the bicentennial year while BART kicked off in 1972 and MARTA in 1979. Some people are weird about using public transit. If the entire route might be very sketchy, I can see why one might avoid it. However, if transiting between major business and governmental hubs, and especially during daylight hours, I don't understand why someone would not use it. My Washington D.C. Metro trip was on the cheap, augmenting an earlier cheap experience that same day. In coming in from Virginia's Hampton Roads area into the nation's capital on Amtrak, grandiose Union Station is the place one gets off the train. Parts of Union Station are not sufficiently modernized, so struggle some, go the distance, and find the entrance to the Metro station located there. WMATA has single ride and day passes. Like BART and MARTA, cards with magnetic strips are needed to get in and out of your first and last station. The trains are punctual and surprisingly clean. The rolling stock definitely looks like that of the BART or MARTA era, except that the sides are slightly tapered upward, which gives them a sleeker look. Having always gone into the District with a rented car or someone else's, hunting for street parking was what is was all about! But that was a while ago and the District keeps getting busier. While I appreciate the grandeur of D.C., it's not my kind of town. That said, I've seen many photos of Washington's Metro, with most of them focused on the subway station at Union Station. I thought that this was a unique design and looked like it might be of the scale of Atlanta's Peachtree Center station. It is anything but that, being a lot "cozier" in scale, and that same template is used in many of their subway stations. But it's not a bad design, because, in addition to doing its job, manages to look '70s and space age at the same time. In addition to electronic boards telling you which trains are due, a unique feature is the lighting in the pavement that signals when a train is coming in and how to board it. The system's layout looks serpentine. I'm sure there's a logic to that. It might have to do with two rivers merging in this area and streets that are rarely gridded in the larger area. In Atlanta, there are many narrow winding streets; however, they superimposed a cruciform layout for their rapid transit system while, in the D.C. area, they did not. That means more that more familiarization is needed, which would require using it regularly. Most tourists won't get to that level that easily. There are 6 lines, all of which come into D.C., and then continue to service adjacent Virginia and Maryland. One thing that might make it more understandable is that 3 of the lines seem to share a trunk through an important swath of the District. In other cities, the main subway station is often under the main train station. Here, Union Station is but a stop on one line, with Metro Center and L'Enfant Plaza being the most important (transfer) stations. Still, the Metro goes to almost all of the historic landmarks and sites, key governmental buildings, and a number of colleges, one of which - the University of Maryland - is outside the District yet in its service area. Not that I had time, as I was headed to DCA Airport, but I noticed that Metro trains do not go to Georgetown, which might have to do with the topography and many green spaces in the Northwest quadrant of the District. The closest Metro station is at Dupont Circle and, from there, one can take a bus, a taxi, or a rideshare. If not oppressively humid or wintry, the remainder is walkable. I might have given WMATA 3 stars because of the ongoing delays in opening the Silver line to Dulles Airport (IAD), the large international hub airport for the metropolitan area. Much like how Denver's mega airport had teething problems with their then new baggage conveying system, the signaling and control system on newer stations was among the last things to create hiccups and they had to postpone acceptance of the project and opening up the Dulles Airport station, which had been sitting there looking ready to go. With the Silver line now open to IAD and beyond, and the ease of getting the DCA, I'll go with 4 stars. It might be fun to use the system to explore some key sites in D.C. and its surroundings, but that would depend on if and when I'm in that area again.

I like riding the metro. As someone who grew up near DC and moved to NoVA the Metro has been a…read moreconvenience for me in terms of getting around DC so I don't have to deal with hectic drivers or traffic. I've been riding this public transit nt entire life. However the last five weeks have been such a headache from WMATA's customer service that it's really made me consider if I need to just suck it up and drive into DC or take the bus. I used the SmartTrip app to reload my MetroCard and for over a MONTH the funds have been "pending". I called WMATA customer service, I emailed them multiple times, and even reached out to their official Reddit account. And I've been ignored, invalidated, gaslit a couple times, and some instances I've been disrespected by staff that clearly didn't want to be at work. I've always come with a level head but firm tone given how many times I've contacted WMATA and they have not resolved my issue. I'm irate and feel very disrespected and expected more from WMATA. As of 04/17 this issue still hasn't been resolved.

Just like Ian stated in his review there are two lounge areas. My review is for the Metropolitan…read moreLounge that Acela passengers etc can use. Located near section "E" you will find a set of brown double doors. You ring the bell, wait for the green light then proceed inside. Once inside you will check in with the front desk employee, who scans your ticket. She was so nice even for 6am. She gave me a quick overview of what was available and where. I was then on my way to sit down. Once around the corridor I found a nice area to sit at, and grabbed a snack or two. There are also bottled beverages, hot water and coffee. The lounge is not massive. It was a nice area. There is various wall art displays around. So that was nice to see. Really screams DC, showcasing art. Getting to and from the train was a breeze. Overall a great lounge. Nice to take advantage of.

This Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge is located inside DC's Union Station, and while the main site…read morestates that there are 'complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and free Wi-Fi', this is definitely not the case here. In addition, the operating hours are incorrect, as the site states limited hours, but they seem to be open until the last departure of the evening. This lounge is not restrictive at all, as it's open to all Amtrak ticket holders; the staff in the front is quick and efficient in checking and letting you in. The place is barebones, as there are only a couple of monitors to show the departing times of different upcoming trains, but there are no refreshments or access to restrooms - you'd have to exit the lounge to use the restrooms around the corner and show your ticket again to enter. Definitely an option for those who come earlier to have seating available; otherwise, one would have to just hover around the track entrances until their train gets called. +open to all Amtrak ticket holders +no restrooms in the lounge +no refreshments

Business is closed…read more Cool and convenient. Mostly kind staff. Didn't get a chance to try much of the food options. It was a store and cafe, right on the Woodbridge VRE Stop.You could sit in, have coffee or tea, wait for your train and be on your way! Ambiance: 3/5 -small and cold feel. Could use updates to make more cozy. Would love any information on this lease if available. Email happyathomefarms@gmail.com

Great place to grab a coffee or snack as well as your VRE passes. Friendly staff who are always…read morehappy to see you and assist you.

This was a birthday present for my boyfriend and it was absolutely everything! We rode bikes…read moretogether and it was nothing like we ever tried before , the tour guide was great and explained everything! Doing this at fall time was amazing and I definitely recommend! If we lived closer we would do it more for sure!

This was so cool! Very pretty ride. Loved the tunnel. Lots of birds singing during ride. We are in…read moreour 60's and had no issues pedaling. Can't wait to do again.

Nice regional train service across Maryland. I wish it ran more frequently especially during nights…read moreand weekends (especially Brunswick and Camden lines).

First time in Baltimore and wanted to go to Washington DC although the trains themself are…read morecomfortable and clean. The service at the Camden station is non existent. There was no one to assist with questions on which train to take or where to purchase tickets as there was kiosk inside and outside. After buying ticket outside and attempting to board a train I found I had purchased the wrong tickets. Again there was no one to helped. I called the 800 number on the brochure and was able to get assistance and found I needed to go inside to get a ticket for the Marc train. Once we purchases the right ticket we were able to catch the last train out of Camden Yard for the day. Train was clean, cool, and roomy. Coming back was much easier as there were no people available to help.

We recently went on the Wilmington & Western RR for the Xmas train right after Xmas. I ordered…read moretickets with ease online and then had no problems with getting our tickets at the train station. Everyone is extremely helpful especially after my little one left something of importance on the train...big thanks! The train ride was great and the seats are very comfy. The Xmas decorations by the community were great and we loved shopping at the train station gift shop. They even had a cute coffee food truck outside. They allow food/drinks on board the train.

Run by an inept, self-appointed Board of Directors who ousted former volunteers. They closed for…read morebogus reasons, did not complete all maintenance items they said they would (especially replacing 3,000 track ties) yet they are re-opening. They have shortened train journey times yet kept prices the same. They don't have a solid base of new, correctly trained volunteers to run the trains yet have an operating schedule and are taking reservations.