Service Update: The Capitol Limited is Currently Suspended
The Capitol Limited is currently suspended. Amtrak has merged the Chicago-Washington corridor into the new Floridian, which extends the route south to Miami. There is no confirmed return date, although Amtrak has indicated that the change is temporary.
If you’re traveling the Chicago-Washington corridor today, the Floridian operates the same route with the same stops. Check my Floridian guide for current schedules and travel tips.
If you are looking for information on the Capitol Limited’s return, you’ve come to the right place. I will keep this page updated. Below are the schedule, station stops, and travel details based on the last published timetable for the Capitol Limited.
This page was last updated April 17, 2026. When the Capitol Limited returns, I’ll update it with current schedules and any service changes.
Current Service: The Floridian
The Amtrak Floridian is a daily Viewliner train providing direct service from Chicago, IL, to Miami, FL. This 2,076-mile journey takes about 47 hours and includes traditional dining service throughout.
Key Route Details:
- Operates: Daily in both directions
- Equipment: Viewliner cars with traditional dining
- Major stops include: Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Harpers Ferry, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Orlando, Kissimmee, and Miami.
- Distance: 2,076 miles from Chicago to Miami
- Travel time: Approximately 47 hours end-to-end
The Historic Chicago-Washington Portion
The first segment of the Floridian follows the beloved former Capitol Limited route, offering that same unforgettable 780-mile, 17.5-hour journey between Chicago and Washington, D.C. You’ll still experience all those iconic destinations that made the Capitol Limited special:
- Harpers Ferry – Where history comes alive along the Potomac River
- Pittsburgh – Stunning skyline views and historic bridges as you cross the rivers
- Cleveland – Rich culture and vibrant urban landscapes
As the train travels through the Midwest and the Appalachian Mountains, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views, from towering mountains to serene countryside. This route provides a unique perspective on the American landscape that Capitol Limited passengers have cherished for decades.
Accommodations and Comfort
The Floridian maintains the comfortable accommodations that made both predecessor routes popular, including coach seating, roomettes, accessible rooms, and bedrooms. Whether you’re traveling the full Chicago-to-Miami distance or just a portion of the route, you’ll find an ideal setting to relax and take in the sights.
What This Means for Travelers
Chicago to Washington passengers: You can still enjoy that classic Capitol Limited experience—it’s just now the first part of a longer journey to Florida.
Chicago-to-Florida passengers: You now have nonstop service that combines the scenic beauty of the former Capitol Limited with convenient access to Florida.
New York to Florida passengers: You will need to connect via Amtrak’s Northeast Regional, Acela services, or other Northeast Corridor train to reach Washington, DC, where you can board the Floridian.
Service Duration and Future
Amtrak has indicated this routing change is temporary but hasn’t specified an end date. Industry speculation suggests the change may last up to three years, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed.
I took a train from Chicago to Tampa, then connected to St. Petersburg, FL. The service change greatly benefited us in the Midwest. Not having to worry about a transfer if your train is late is a nice benefit.
Note: This post preserves information about the historic Capitol Limited route for reference. When service returns (and I am optimistic it will!), we’ll be ready with updated guidance.
A Personal Note
Having ridden the Capitol Limited since 2013, every trip on that route left me in awe. While we await the return of dedicated Chicago-Washington service, the good news is that the Floridian preserves that same breathtaking journey through the Midwest and Appalachians—it just continues south to the sunny beaches of Florida. The diverse landscapes and rich history of this unforgettable route live on in this new configuration.
This information reflects current Amtrak service as of the date the route change is implemented. Service details may be subject to change.
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 travel the same paths that generations past have traversed.
You can access an old Amtrak route guide to enhance your journey. It offers information on some of the areas the train passes through.
The Capitol Limited’s on-time performance and host railroad
Delays happen; sometimes, they are Amtrak’s fault, but sometimes they are not.
From October 2024, Amtrak Capitol Limited’s average on-time performance was 71.1%, with an average delay of 61 minutes.
For September 2024, the average on-time performance was 74.0%, with an average delay of 55 minutes.
CSX (307 miles) and NS (481 miles) experienced delays due to freight train interference and routing issues.
Information from this section came from the official Amtrak Host Railroad Report – October 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 footrests and legrests, a seatback pocket for storing belongings, and luggage racks above the seats. 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 offers sleeping accommodations on its trains, which you can book for your journey for added privacy, comfort, and more.
These sleeping accommodations offer convenience in a compact 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, the chairs are in use; at night, they convert into beds.
This train will be converted into a Viewliner train in September 2024, replacing the current Superliner equipment. More will be added as I receive more details.
The kind of rooms available.
- Roomette
- Smallest of the rooms, comfy for one and cozy for two.
- 1-10 on the upper level, 11-14 on the lower level
- Bedroom
- It provides twice the space of a Roomette and features an en suite sink, bathroom, and shower.
- Lettered rooms are all on the upper level.
- Accessible room
- offers passengers with disabilities an accessible bedroom on the train’s lower level.
- It provides ample space for a wheelchair, with a sofa for two during the day and an upper and lower berth for sleeping at 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, up to 25 pounds (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
Charges apply to additional and oversized luggage; see Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.
Checked bag service
The Capitol Limited offers checked baggage service, but your first and last stations must also provide it.
Amtrak allows two bags, each weighing up to 50 pounds and measuring up to 75 linear inches, to be checked free of charge per person. Additional charges apply for extra or oversized luggage.
If you are connecting to Capitol Limited from another Amtrak train, you can check your bags at the layover station if the layover station and your destination offer checked-bag service. Please ensure you do this 45 minutes before departure, as you may not be able to do so later.
Wi-Fi on the Capitol Limited
The Capitol Limited currently does not provide Wi-Fi. For trip entertainment ideas, see my article on Amtrak entertainment.
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 a 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. Alternatively, 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 follow the booking instructions.
Accessible ramps on the Capitol Limited
Wheelchair ramps are available to assist passengers with wheeled mobility devices in boarding and deplaning.
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 may consume it only in a sleeping accommodation.
Capitol Limited Cafe Car
The Capitol Limited Cafe is open to all passengers from 6:00 am to 10:00 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 situated between the coach and sleeping cars, located in the center of the train.
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 available for passengers to consume in their rooms or the cafe car, along with complimentary beverages during meals. For those of age, sleeping car passengers, your first adult dinner drink is on Amtrak with dinner!
The meals served are based on the day of travel.
This table outlines the meals available to sleeping car passengers on the Capitol Limited.
| 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.
Keep Travels with Kev on Track
In 2026, Travels with Kev turns 10 years old — and I appreciate everyone who has ridden along over the years.
Hop On Board — It’s Free!
Join the Travels with Kev newsletter and get my Quick Reference Guide to Amtrak Long-Distance Trains, packed with:
- Train equipment details
- Dining information
- Route tips
- Helpful travel resources for beginners
You’ll also receive Amtrak news, travel tips, and updates from my latest adventures straight to your inbox.
Want to Support Travels with Kev?
If my guides and tips have helped you plan your travels, you can also support the site through Patreon or my support page. Every bit helps keep new train guides, updates, and travel content rolling down the tracks.
And don’t forget to check out the Travel with Kev Podcast for more train travel stories, tips, and discussions.
Amtrak’s Capitol Limited Schedule
This schedule is directly from Amtrak.com, but it may change before I update the information. Before leaving for the station, verify in the app or log in to confirm that times have not changed. I last checked these times on September 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.
Do You Love Train Travel?
Want more insider Amtrak travel tips, route guides, and travel updates? Join my free Travels with Kev newsletter to get my Quick Reference Guide to Amtrak Long-Distance Trains, covering train equipment, dining options, and more. It comes out every Thursday!
It is a simple way to start planning smarter, smoother train trips.
If this guide helped you, you can also support my work through my Support Page or by joining me on Patreon. Your support helps keep Travels with Kev going, and paid Patreon members receive a postcard from my travels each month.
Kev
12212022 11232023
