Washington, D.C. — Amtrak’s special ticket policy for Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2009

If you are traveling by train in and out of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2009, make sure you check Amtrak’s website for a list of news, tips and ticket policies specific to Inauguration Day.

Amtrak: Inauguration Day Travel Information

Items to note:

> Amtrak will not honor MARC Train or Virginia Railway Express (VRE) tickets on Jan. 20.

> Amtrak Multi-Ride tickets will not be honored for travel to the Washington area during the morning, or for travel from the Washington area during the afternoon and evening of Jan. 20. See the Jan. 20, 2009 Multi-Ride Ticket Policy for specific restrictions. Tickets will be honored for certain routes, while some trains will require a normal-fare, reserved ticket.

> Washington Union Station will be limited to Amtrak, MARC and VRE passengers. Food and retail shops will be closed in the afternoon.

>Heightened frontline and behind-the-scenes security measures will be taken in stations and aboard trains, and may include:

* Amtrak Police officers and Mobile Security Teams
* Federal, state and local law enforcement and anti-terrorism forces
* K-9 units (please do not approach or pet police dogs)
* Identification checks
* Passenger, and carry-on and checked baggage screening

> Pick up your round-trip ticket before boarding the train, and do not arrive earlier than an hour before your scheduled departure.

Online booking resources:

Amtrak

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

MARC Train [Update: All MARC train tickets are sold out. Commuter Bus tickets will be sold onboard the bus.]

Virginia Railway Express (VRE)

Security:

Amtrak Police (800) 331-0008

– Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger

[Photo: Michael Reynolds / European Pressphoto Agency]

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This entry was posted on Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 7:02 pm by Jen Leo and is filed under East Coast, Inauguration, News, Tips & Advice, Rail Travel, Washington D.C.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.