Consider your options. On most days, Amtrak offers three lines that will leave Miami in the morning. You can either switch trains in Richmond or travel direct to Washington, DC in about 24 hours.
Use Amtrak's Web site (see below) to choose your routes and schedules. Its interactive and user-friendly design allows you to peruse your opportunities for travel, read hints and advice on train travel and book your ticket.
Search for the best fare using the Web site's 'Fare Finder,' and book your ticket when you find the itinerary that best matches your schedule and budget.
Consider reserving a sleeper car since you'll be traveling overnight. It may be worth the added fee to sleep in privacy, and the package includes a complimentary breakfast and newspaper.
Call Amtrak's toll-free number or check the departures online before you leave for Miami Amtrak Station to confirm that your train is on time, your ticket is reserved and the schedule has not changed.
Bring a coat on board if you are traveling in the winter, as you may get cold waiting to claim your baggage during Washington, DC's frostier months.
Pack less than 150 lb of luggage to avoid added transportation costs.
Enjoy the scenery. Watching the landscape change as you climb the rails to DC is something you won't want to miss, particularly in the fall.
Plan to spend some time in Washington's Union Station upon arrival. Newly renovated and filled with diverse eating and shopping opportunities, Union Station is a very popular tourist site in the city.
Catch a ride on the Metro to your hotel. The Metro station is located downstairs in the train station, and it offers cheap travel to most places in the city.
