Amtrak Capitol Limited Schedule
Amtrak Capitol Limited Schedule

Amtrak’s Capitol Limited: Train Schedule & Guide

The Floridian has replaced the Capitol Limited, a new Amtrak service combining the Capitol Limited and Silver Star routes. This route now offers direct service from Chicago to Miami on a Viewliner train, featuring traditional dining. Amtrak has stated this change is temporary but has not provided an end date.

Note: Although the Capitol Limited will no longer be in service, this post remains for reference on past Amtrak routes and services.

Experience the unforgettable journey of the Capitol Limited, running daily between Chicago and Washington, D.C. This 780-mile, 17.5-hour route is a scenic and relaxing way to travel between these cities or any of the train’s intermediate stops. A schedule and links to each stop are available at the bottom of this post.

Along the way, you’ll pass through iconic destinations like Harper’s Ferry, where history comes alive; Pittsburgh, with its stunning skyline and bridges; and Cleveland, a city entire of rich culture and vibrant landscapes.

As the train winds through the Midwest and Appalachian Mountains, you’ll witness breathtaking views, from towering mountains to serene countryside. Whether you’re admiring natural beauty or the energy of urban stops, the Capitol Limited offers a unique perspective on the American landscape.

Enjoy comfortable accommodations, including coach seating, roomettes, accessible rooms, and bedrooms. Whether traveling for adventure or seeking a peaceful retreat, this train provides an ideal setting to relax and take in the sights.

I’ve ridden the Capitol Limited since 2013, and every trip leaves me in awe. Join me on this beautiful adventure as we explore this unforgettable route’s diverse landscapes and history!

A podcast on the Capitol Limited

Why you should ride the Capitol Limited

A view of the woods and the Potomac River from the Amtrak Capitol Limited.
Potomac River and the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

Amtrak's Capitol Limited at a stations stop.
Capitol Limited at a station stop in Cumberland, Maryland

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) caused delays due to freight train interference and routing.

Information from this section came from the official Amtrak Host Railroad Report – October 2024.

Coach Seating on the Amtrak Capitol Limited

Amtrak Superliner coach seats
Amtrak Superliner lower-level coach seating (Photo courtesy of Amtrak.com)

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 foot and leg rests, a seat back pocket for belongings, and racks above the seat for 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

NEW 2 people in a Amtrak Superliner roomette
Amtrak Superliner Roomette set up for the day (photo Amtrak.com)

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.
Amtrak Family Bedroom set up for the night
Amtrak family room set up for the night. (Photo courtesy of Amtrak.com)

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.

If you are connecting to Capitol Limited from another Amtrak train, you can check your bags at the layover station if the station and your destination offer checked bag service. Please ensure that you do this 45 minutes before departure, or you may not 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

Amtrak Coffee
Coffee tastes better on the rails, especially from the Amtrak 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

Amtrak Flex Meal
Amtrak’s Asian Noodle Flex dining entree includes a dinner roll, salad, dessert, and beer.

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.

TrainDay 1Day 2
Eastbound 29DinnerBreakfast
Westbound 30DinnerBreakfast
If the train is running late, Amtrak can add meals

Other links you may need

Here are links to a few articles that could help you.

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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 ServedMilesTrain 30
Eastbound
Last Stop
4:05pWashington, DC
Union Station (WAS) (ET) *
01:05p
4:29pRockville, MD (RKV)16D 12:16p
5:16pHarpers Ferry, WV (HFY)
(Frederick, MD)
5511:31a
5:45pMartinsburg, WV (MRB)
(Hagerstown, MD)
7411:01a
7:24pCumberland, MD
Amtrak Station (CUM) *
1469:32a
9:47pConnellsville, PA (COV)2396:59a
11:48p | 11:59pPittsburgh, PA
Union Station (PGH) *
2995:05a | 5:20a
1:39aAlliance, OH (ALC)3833:05 am
2:59aCleveland, OH (CLE)4391:54a
3:29aElyria, OH (ELY) (Lorain)4641:15a
4:02aSandusky, OH (SKY)49912:40a
5:08a | 5:22aToledo, OH (TOL) *54611:39p | 11:49p
6:36aWaterloo, IN (WTI) (Ft Wayne)62410:23p
7:29aElkhart, IN (EKH)6799:29p
7:51aSouth Bend, IN (SOB) Eastern Time6969:09p
8:45aChicago, IL – Union Station (CHI)*
Central Time
7806:40p
Last StopStationsMilesRead Up
This schedule is a guide; check with Amtrak for current times. ‘

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.


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Kevin Monteith

Kev Monteith has been traveling on Amtrak since 2012. With over a decade of experience, he has been on over 800 trains, covering over 200k miles of rail. Kev enjoys helping others achieve their travel dreams by providing support and information. Outside of travel, Kev enjoys making music as an organist and outings with family.

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