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The Amtrak Capitol Limited runs daily between Chicago and Washington, D.C., offering a 780-mile journey with stops in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The route passes through Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

The train provides breathtaking views of the Allegheny Mountains, cities, rural areas, and more during the 17.5-hour journey, offering passengers a chance to relax and appreciate the historic and natural beauty.

I have been traveling on this train every year since 2013, and I still enjoy the views on every trip.

What you can see when riding the Amtrak Capitol Limited route

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 enthusiasts of railroad history. 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.

• The average station’s on-time average performance
  • From February 2023 to 2024, 64.9% average delay of 63 minutes.
  • In February 2024, 71/8% average delay of 60 minutes.
• The top reasons for delays by host railroads:
  • CSX (307 miles) and NS (481 miles) experienced the same delays due to freight train interference and routing-dispatch delays, including diversions, late bulletins, etc.

Information from this section came from the Amtrak Host Railroad Report – February 2024

Coach Seating on the Amtrak Capitol Limited

• Amtrak coach seating features:
  • Comfortable reclining seats with ample legroom
  • A fold-down tray
  • Individual reading lights
  • 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets.
  • These seats offer a foot and a leg rest.
  • A seat back seat pocket to store your things
  • There are racks above your seat to store your luggage, or you can use the luggage shelves on the lower level.
• Upper and lower seating
  • The lower level is often for those with mobility challenges.
• You will find the restrooms on the lower level.

Sleeper Accommodations on the Amtrak Capitol Limited

Amtrak offers sleeping accommodations on this train, which you can reserve for part of the route or from start to finish if you want extra privacy.

These sleeping accommodations offer:

• Fresh linens and towels
• Meals
• Lounge access in Chicago and Washington, DC
• Dedicated car attendant
• 120v grounded (three-prong) outlet
• Use of a shower
• At least one outlet in the room
• Morning coffee and juice station.
• Seating by day, beds by night.

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
  • 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, and 
• 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 offerings 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, but it may close for breaks and sleeper meal prep. 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:
  • Hot and cold meals
  • Snacks
  • Hot and cold beverages, including the adult kind.
  • They may even sell cars and comfort kits.

Meals for sleeper car passengers

• Sleeper car passengers get Amtrak’s flex dining, which are warmed-prepared meals.
  • Complimentary dining for customers in their rooms or the Sleeper Lounge/Cafe car.
• They come with complimentary beverages during your meals, with the first adult dinner drink 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.

Other links you may need

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

• Boarding Amtrak trains
• Do I need to print out my Amtrak tickets
• Overview of Amtrak Stations

Amtrak’s Capitol Limited Schedule

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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