Experience the unforgettable Amtrak Capitol Limited journey from Chicago to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. This train runs daily, taking a 17.5-hour ride over 780 miles and offering a scenic and relaxing way to travel between these cities or any of the train’s intermediate stops. Towards the bottom of this post, you will find a list of this train’s schedule and links to each stop.
Along the way, you’ll pass through a series of iconic stops, including Harper’s Ferry, where history comes alive; Pittsburgh, known for its stunning skyline and bridges; and Cleveland, home to rich culture and vibrant cityscapes.
As the train winds across the Midwest and into the Appalachian Mountains, you’ll experience breathtaking views of towering mountains, rolling countryside, and lively cities. Whether gazing at the natural beauty of rivers and forests or taking in the urban energy of the cities you pass through, Amtrak’s Capitol Limited offers a unique and exciting perspective on the American landscape.
Onboard, you’ll have the chance to relax and enjoy the journey comfortably, with various accommodations available, including coach seating, roomettes, accessible rooms, and bedrooms. Whether traveling for an adventure or simply enjoying a peaceful retreat, this train provides the perfect setting to unwind and take in the sights.
I’ve been riding the Capitol Limited since 2013, and no matter how many times I board, the views always leave me in awe. Join me on this beautiful adventure as we discover this unforgettable route’s diverse landscapes and rich history!
The Floridian will replace this train starting on November 9, 2024. Depending on your travel plans, you can consider the Cardinal as an alternative.
A podcast on the Capitol Limited
Why you should ride the Capitol Limited
On a trip aboard Amtrak’s Capitol Limited, you can enjoy the beauty of Harper’s Ferry, where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers converge amidst rugged cliffs and rolling hills as you enjoy this scenic ride. Cross the mighty Potomac River, witnessing its serene majesty from the comfort of your seat. As the train winds through the Allegheny Mountains, be captivated by panoramic views of lush forests and towering peaks.
The Capitol Limited route holds a special allure for railroad history enthusiasts. Follow in the footsteps of pioneers and adventurers along the historic B&O Railroad line, which dates back to 1827. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of America’s railroads as you traverse the same paths traveled by generations past.
You can access an old Amtrak route guide that can help enhance your journey. It offers information on some of the areas the train passes through.
The Capitol Limited on-time performance and host railroad
Delays happen; sometimes, they are Amtrak’s fault, but sometimes they are not.
From August 2023 to 2024, Amtrak Capitol Limited’s average on-time performance was 70.2%, with an average delay of 62 minutes.
For August 2024, the average on-time performance was 69.5%, with an average delay of 46 minutes.
CSX (307 miles) and NS (481 miles) caused delays due to freight train interference and routing.
Information from this section came from the official Amtrak Host Railroad Report – August 2024.
Coach Seating on the Amtrak Capitol Limited
Amtrak coach seating offers a range of features to ensure a comfortable journey.
You can expect reclining seats with ample legroom, a fold-down tray, individual reading lights, and 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets.
Additionally, these seats offer a foot and leg rest, a seat back pocket to store belongings, and racks above your seat to store your luggage. Alternatively, you can use the luggage shelves on the lower level.
The coach seating has upper and lower levels, with the lower level typically reserved for passengers with mobility challenges. There are restrooms on the lower level for your convenience.
Sleeper Accommodations on the Amtrak Capitol Limited
Amtrak provides sleeping accommodations on their trains, which you can book for your journey for privacy, comfort, and more!
These sleeping accommodations provide you with convenience in a small space.
Enjoy fresh linens and towels, meals, a dedicated car attendant, a 120v grounded (three-prong) outlet, a shower, at least one outlet in the room, and a morning coffee and juice station, all at your fingertips.
Also, there is a table that you can pull out, and if you bring chess or checker pieces, you can play as you roll down the tracks!
Passengers starting their journey in Chicago and Washington, DC, can wait in the Metropolitan lounges at these stations.
During the day, there are chairs, and at night, those seats get converted into beds.
This train will become a Viewliner train in September 2024, replacing the current Superliner equipment. More will come as I get more details.
The kind of rooms are available.
- Roomette
- Smallest of the rooms, comfy for one and cozy for two.
- 1-10 on the upper level, 11-14 on the lower
- Bedroom
- It gives you twice the space of a Roomette with an ensuite sink, bathroom, and shower.
- Lettered rooms are all on the upper level.
- Accessible room
- offers passengers with a disability an accessible bedroom located on the lower level of the train.
- It provides ample space for a wheelchair, with a sofa for two by day and an upper and lower berth for the night.
- Family bedroom (Through sometime in November 2024)
- For two adults and two smaller kids.
- Room 15 on the lower level.
Carry-on and checked baggage
Find out what you can bring!
Carry on
Each passenger may carry on:
- One personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
- Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
If you transfer to the Pacific Surfliner at some point along your journey, the baggage size for that train is up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each.
Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage; check out Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.
Checked bag service
The Capitol Limited offers checked bag service, but your first and last stations must also provide the service.
Amtrak allows two bags weighing up to 50 lbs each and a maximum size of 75 linear inches per person for free. Additional charges apply for extra or oversized luggage.
Suppose you are connecting to the Capitol Limited from another Amtrak train. In that case, you can check your bags at the layover station if the station and your destination offer checked bag service. Please ensure to do this 45 minutes before departure, or there may be a chance that you won’t be able to do so.
Wi-Fi on the Capitol Limited
The Capitol Limited currently does not provide Wi-Fi. For trip entertainment ideas, see my article on entertainment on Amtrak ideas.
Capitol Limited add-ons
There are a few things you can add to your Amtrak adventure.
Bikes
- Amtrak allows you to bring a standard, full-size bicycle
- Bikes up to 50 lbs, 70 inches x 41 inches x 8.5 inches.
- Amtrak stores bikes in designated bike racks inside the baggage car. Space can be limited.
- For more information and rules, please read Amtrak’s bike policy.
Pets and service animals
- You can bring a dog or cat aboard the Capitol Limited
- Providing your trip is under 7 hours.
- Your pet and carrier are 20 pounds or less.
- It would be best to complete the paperwork before the train arrives.
- Amtrak will electronically send you the paperwork after you complete your reservation, or you can find it in the My Trip area on the Amtrak app or website.
- You can find the restrictions and more info on Amtrak’s pet policy page.
If you have a service or comfort animal, read the Amtrak service animal policy before booking to ensure your critter qualifies and the booking instructions.
Accessible ramps on the Capitol Limited
Wheelchair ramps are available to assist passengers in boarding and detraining passengers with a wheeled mobility device.
Food on the Capitol Limited
You have a few options when it comes to eating on this train.
Bringing food with you
You can bring food and drinks on the train, but Amtrak cannot store, chill, or heat your food. They can only heat the food you purchased onboard.
Over the years, my experience with train travel has taught me a few valuable lessons. One lesson is that bringing snacks can enhance your journey. Snacks can help fill the gaps between meals or when the cafe car is closed. The same applies to having a water bottle that you can refill on the train or at a station.
If you are of legal drinking age, you are permitted to bring alcohol on the train. However, you are only allowed to consume it if you are in a sleeping accommodation.
Capitol Limited Cafe Car
The Capitol Limited cafe is open to all passengers from 6 am to 10 pm. However, it may close for breaks and sleeper meal preparation. Please listen to announcements for any changes in cafe hours. The Amtrak Cafe is between the coach and sleeping cars in the train’s center.
The cafe offers a variety of options, including hot and cold meals, snacks, hot and cold beverages (including alcoholic drinks), and even cars and comfort kits for sale.
Meals for sleeper car passengers
Sleeper car passengers on Amtrak’s Capitol Limited receive hot, prepared meals through their flex dining service. This complimentary dining is for passengers to consume in their rooms or the cafe car, and complimentary beverages during their meals. For those of age sleeping car passengers, their first adult dinner drink with dinner is on Amtrak!
The meals served are based on the day of travel.
This table tells you what meals the Capitol Limited offers sleeping car passengers.
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Eastbound 29 | Dinner | Breakfast |
| Westbound 30 | Dinner | Breakfast |
Other links you may need
Here are links to a few articles that could help you.
Do You Find This Information Helpful?
Join my email list to get the latest travel tips, Amtrak insights, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. If you enjoy this information, consider one of the many ways you can support my work, and I appreciate it! Plus, if you join my Patreon at $5 or more, you’ll receive a postcard I created and mailed directly to your home as a thank you!
You can also find Travels with Kev on Facebook!
Amtrak’s Capitol Limited Schedule
This schedule comes directly from Amtrak.com, but they can change it before I update things. Before leaving for the station, verify with the app or log in to ensure times have not changed. I last checked these times on 9/19/2024.
| Train 29 Westbound Read Down | The Communities Served | Miles | Train 30 Eastbound Last Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:05p | Washington, DC Union Station (WAS) (ET) * | 0 | 1:05p |
| 4:29p | Rockville, MD (RKV) | 16 | D 12:16p |
| 5:16p | Harpers Ferry, WV (HFY) (Frederick, MD) | 55 | 11:31a |
| 5:45p | Martinsburg, WV (MRB) (Hagerstown, MD) | 74 | 11:01a |
| 7:24p | Cumberland, MD Amtrak Station (CUM) * | 146 | 9:32a |
| 9:47p | Connellsville, PA (COV) | 239 | 6:59a |
| 11:48p | 11:59p | Pittsburgh, PA Union Station (PGH) * | 299 | 5:05a | 5:20a |
| 1:39a | Alliance, OH (ALC) | 383 | 3:05 am |
| 2:59a | Cleveland, OH (CLE) | 439 | 1:54a |
| 3:29a | Elyria, OH (ELY) (Lorain) | 464 | 1:15a |
| 4:02a | Sandusky, OH (SKY) | 499 | 12:40a |
| 5:08a | 5:22a | Toledo, OH (TOL) * | 546 | 11:39p | 11:49p |
| 6:36a | Waterloo, IN (WTI) (Ft Wayne) | 624 | 10:23p |
| 7:29a | Elkhart, IN (EKH) | 679 | 9:29p |
| 7:51a | South Bend, IN (SOB) Eastern Time | 696 | 9:09p |
| 8:45a | Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI)* Central Time | 780 | 6:40p |
| Last Stop | Stations | Miles | Read Up |
Capitol Limited Schedule Abbreviations
* = Stations with Amtrak Connecting Services, or you can connect with other Amtrak trains.
Printable Amtrak Capitol Limited Schedule
You can use the PDF below or print this or any other Amtrak route schedule from Amtrak.com. They even allow you to print custom schedules that include connecting trains and services! Learn how to print your own Amtrak schedule.
Get train travel tips and updates!
If you are on Facebook, check out my page for updates.
Also, consider joining my email list today for exclusive access to my latest articles, travel tips, and Amtrak news.
Take advantage of the latest updates and exciting travel opportunities.
See what will appear in your inbox, and sign up now to stay in the loop!
12212022 11232023
