Plan Your Visit to Union Station
Union Station is a train station near the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., USA.
Union Station is a train station near the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., USA.
Entering Union Station's Main Hall and public concourses is free: no entry ticket is required for the main open-access visit. Use the official site for station hours, shopping, and visitor information. If you want paid experiences around the area (tours, attractions, or combos), a trusted ticketing partner can make booking and check-in easier. Confirm meeting points and what is included before you book.
Best for free-access details: station hours, shopping, and visitor information for Union Station. Start here when you only need rules, hours, and visitor guidance.
Useful for digital tickets, flexible cancellation on many listings, or bundling Union Station with other things to do in Washington, D.C. and Capitol Hill (Capitol tours, Smithsonian museums, monuments, and food-hall reservations nearby).
Use official info for free open access and visitor rules. Choose a partner when you want a guided tour, timed paid attraction, or a multi-stop day across Washington, D.C. and Capitol Hill.
Hand-picked tours, tickets, and day trips related to Union Station. Compare inclusions and cancellation terms before you book.
Union Station is a train station near the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., USA.
Opened in 1907 in a Beaux-Arts style, its Main Hall features a barrel-vaulted ceiling and marble columns, and the building also houses shops, restaurants, and the National Postal Museum next door.
It's one of the busiest rail stations in the US.
Check official hours and access rules for Union Station, then add paid tours or nearby stops in Washington, D.C. and Capitol Hill if you want them.
Early morning and late afternoon are usually quieter than midday peak hours.
Most visitors base themselves near Washington, District of Columbia, and travel in by transit, tour, or car.
Hours, access rules, and parking notes change. Confirm details on the official Union Station site (or your partner booking confirmation for paid tours) before you go.
Historic concourse architecture.
Retail under the station roof.
Active rail and metro connections.
Smithsonian museum next door (DC).
Plaza entries to the station.
Public programming in the halls.
Is Union Station free?
Yes for the main open-access visit. Parking, guided tours, or nearby paid attractions may cost money.
When is the best time to visit?
Shoulder seasons often mean milder weather and shorter lines. Peak summer and holidays are the busiest.
How long should I plan?
Allow at least a few hours for highlights; popular parks and complexes easily fill a full day.
Are prices on this page guaranteed?
The main visit is free. Any tour or combo prices are approximate; confirm access rules on the official site, or rates on the partner page you book with for paid experiences.
Is Union Station suitable for kids?
Many areas are family-friendly, but check stair counts, heat exposure, and any age or height limits for specific attractions.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, water, weather-appropriate layers, and offline maps if cell service is unreliable.
Union Station is a train station near the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., USA.
Opened in 1907 in a Beaux-Arts style, its Main Hall features a barrel-vaulted ceiling and marble columns, and the building also houses shops, restaurants, and the National Postal Museum next door. It's one of the busiest rail stations in the US.
