MARC Train

Buy a ticket at Union Station or an Amtrak Kiosk.
West Baltimore has NO ticket machine.
Train to DC at night runs late. So your 5:31PM train will arrive 10 minutes late, but you are expected to get to the station on time.
When you exit WEST BALTIMORE (sketchy neighborhood), ask where the exit is. It’s the last 3 cars.
You can buy a monthly pass. That’s 216. oo Dollars a month. It’s accepted on local buses. Trains and trolleys (as well as MARC trains). Baltimore has the WORST PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. ALL buses are late and NO ONE IS EVER HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
I am being generous with 1 star. I don’t have to be. The Governor should lead Baltimore infrastructure so that people would want to invest in it. It will never happen. The end.

On time and clean. A shuttle took us from the airport to the train station. Pick up stations are marked. I asked someone from the information desk who was helpful. Morning commuter riders from the North were on the train. A rider helped us find our stop in DC. No problem!

Well… I guess this is government subsidized transportation at its best. The tickets are really cheap, unless you buy after boarding. In that case they will add a $ 5 surcharge.
One thing that did fascinate me, when somebody bought a ticket, was the use of hand punches. It might be outdated, and a punch or two on the ticket the conductor was giving out would have been quite normal. But no… he was punching holes like crazy… I’m telling you, the ticket was more or less a cellulose based Swiss cheese. I was counting over 20 punches, and over two minutes spent on a single ticket — searching for the right spot, punching… searching for the next… story goes on. I almost wanted to buy a ticket on the train as a souvenir. But my logic dictates that a thin slice of swizz cheeze isn’t worth 5 dollars.
The conductors I met was polite. One guy was super nice and witty towards all the passengers — he even let an old man with financial difficulties ride for free. A nice gesture.
The trains themselves were old, but clean. Some cars where double deckers, others had single decks. But all the cars were inconsistent, from different eras. Not to mention that you had to be spider man to climb up the ledge if you wanted to board from some stations. The platforms weren’t elevated. Imagine and old lady or gentleman jumping up that 2 feet ledge.
The train was averaging a delay of 7 – 8 minutes the week I used the service, not too bad, though. But one time my train scheduled to depart from Union Station at 7.40 am was cancelled. Not so good.
Due to the low cost fare I do feel obligated to recommend the MARC trains. Just remember that they don’t run late in the pm. At least not the service from Union Station to Baltimore.

You definitely have to get to the train station on time. The train gets really crowded so it maybe hard finding a seat. But, the unlimited pass is cheaper than WMATA (aka Metro) + it travels at a reasonable speed.

You can’t beat $ 6 for the trek from BWI to Union Station vs anywhere from $ 15-​$ 40 or more on Amtrak. You don’t get the same luggage space as Amtrak but you can make it work if you aren’t packing for the Oregon Trail. Save your money and take the MARC if it fits your schedule.

JUST DRIVE YOU ARE BETTER OFF! This is the worst train system in DC and likely America. It is always late consistently has mechanical failures. They screw their customers. When they are late the tell you «well it’s the train». Why even have schedules it should be well we will see you when we see you.
The conductors are very good the management sucks and screws them.

Marc has at least one hopelessly rude and unhelpful gate attendant. I was trying to board an Amtrak train at Union Station in Washington DC, when I sat down at a gate shared by Marc and Amtrak. Apparently I sat down exactly two minutes early, because the life form behind the desk with the rather poor social skills informed me, quite loudly, that I absolutely couldn’t sit there because that gate was currently reserved for Marc passengers only. When I asked how long it would be before I could return, she said «I’m not going to debate it with you Mister, you can’t sit there.» So I left, went back out into the hallway, and two minutes later I was allowed to enter that same room (by a much more professional Amtrak employee).
The Marc attendant fit that classic stereotype of someone who could easily have explained the procedure in a polite and helpful way, but chose instead to indulge in a very misplaced authority complex. After this experience, I have a little more sympathy for ESPN’s Britt McHenry, if you catch my drift.
P. S. I’ve never actually ridden on the Marc line, but I’m certainly not going to do so now. (Amtrak on the other hand, was quite nice.)

I live in the DC metro and commute to Baltimore for work, and I love the convenience and comfort of taking the train instead of fighting the traffic. Yes, occasionally, it breaks down, but it’s pretty reliable 95% of the time, and I figure the $ 150 monthly ticket from suburban DC to Penn Station is better than the parking cost in Baltimore, along with the car wear and tear, and the stress of dealing with traffic. Riders are pretty quiet for the most part, so you can enjoy reading, taking a nap, or doing something on your laptop/​tablet, and arrive to your destination feeling relaxed.
So yes, I am a fan, but a star is taken away for the surly attitude of many of the train conductors — the folks that take your tickets. I think if I wore a pretty dress and put on a damsel in distress persona, I’d probably receive much better, friendlier service. I remember first riding it, and asking questions on which train to board (the setup is confusing if you’ve never ridden it), and they all had this attitude like you are stupid and annoying. Really? Stop that, and try some courtesy, will you?
Finally, I have the option to ride the Penn Line or the Camden Line. The Penn Line seems better, quicker, and is much less to break down. And it is much nicer to arrive at an old-​fashoned grand train station in Baltimore than a small, uninspiring terminal next to the ballpark that is deserted when the O’s aren’t playing.

This is a typical government subsidized public transport commuter line that we took to Baltimore from Washington D.C.‘s Union Station. The train cars are ok but not very clean or kept up. Most of the cars’ windows were filthy as were the headrests and seats. I know because I used a sani wipe to clean the latter up.
My biggest gripe about this train line is that our return train to D.C. failed to show up. Well, actually it did, but promptly left the station somewhat early without any passengers or an explanation as to why. Instead, we, along with several scores of other commuters were left waiting and wondering when or if a replacement train would show up. One did about an hour late, again without any explanation or apology.
The public restroom on board is pretty disgusting. Not very clean with lots of wetness on the floor and around the sink. I’ve seen cleaner and drier porta potties.
My wife and I both felt like we needed to take a shower after completing our round trip on this train. There are no on board services like food or drink and there are frequent stops along the way. It accomplished what we needed albeit in an untimely manner but it worked. By the way, we ended up back at the Metro Station nearest our hotel but we were too late to catch the last free shuttle so we had to hale a cab which cost almost $ 20. Public transportation in and around the greater D.C. area doesn’t hold a candle to say New York or other more dependable systems.

I USED to live in Crapitol Heights, MD for 13 LONG years. I work downtown near Archives. For the first few years I took the metrobus and Metrorail to/​from work. But I quickly got very tired of having to deal with the ghetto drama on the bus and subway. Riding the F14 to Naylor Road to catch the green line was like being the only nerdy white guy in a prison cell with a bunch of drunks, druggies and thugs. I would look around the bus passengers wondering if I was the only one employed on that bus, it sure looked like it. Only to get off and ride Metro’s green line into town, I HATED it, totally crowded with PG county and SE DC’s worst representatives. Small kids as well as teens cussing, horsing around, even threatening passengers with intimidating looks, taking up 2 seats without moving aside for someone else to sit down, I mean it just totally sucked to be among these kids. In fairness to the adults, it was mostly the kids who ruined that commute. Or I’d catch the J12 to Addison Road or Capitol Heights stations, both on the blue line. Not much better. Oh another thing that drove me crazy — men not offering their seats to women or elderly people. Some of the rudest crap I’ve ever witnessed. I ALWAYS gave my seat up, even if I was sitting near the window, JUST to piss the guy sitting on the outside off. You ass!
So in an effort to eliminate that stress from my life, I bought a motorcycle and started riding that to work, which was cool at first cause parking was cheap, then DC upped the price for motorcycles to park and I kept getting tickets because I didn’t get out to feed the meter in time, which made riding my motorcycle in less appealing.
So I bought a bicycle! I figured I’d do ANYTHING NOT to have to ride on metro and deal with that chaos, noise and rudeness. I think the adults on their cellphones was just as bad as the rowdy teens. I’m sorry, I just DON’T wanna hear your curse-​infused conversation about nothing. And for about 7 years I happily rode my bicycle to work downtown, it was free, I got great exercise, totally defined my midsection and was pretty stress free and a great workout coming home uphill. But then in 2013 my bike was stolen downtown, go figure.
So I’m back on metro, parking at the Capitol Heights station to avoid that dreadful bus, but paying out the wazoo to park 22 days a month. Finally, I said enough is enough.
I literally put my house on the rental market, found a great tenant and got the hell out of Crapitol Heights for good. Moved to Crofton/​Odenton area and discovered this MARC train.
I. LOVE. IT!!! No ghetto drama, no rowdy teens, no screaming cursing elementary school kids, no Shanaynay with her 3 kids, 2 in a giant stroller, no jerky train rides, no daily train delays and breakdowns, the parking is free at Odenton, the trains are clean, quiet, WAY comfy, rarely crowded to the point of having to stand, I’ve only seen that happen once, people that ride the MARC tend to be professionals who opt to live AWAY from the ghetto drama and crime of the city, so the ridership (and I’m talking all races) is much more respectful of others, friendly to chat with and theres even a QUIET CAR where you can not use your cellphone for calls, volume must be turned off, conversations must be kept to a minimum, it’s great, I ALWAYS get on the quiet car. The ride in from Odenton to DC is 30 minutes, the ride home is 20 minutes because I catch the 5:10 Penn Line EXPRESS train. The ride is smooth, and I believe there is even a restroom on one of the cars just in case nature calls during your commute. Thats pretty friggin awesome.
It is a totally stress-​free ride (so far). Even if a train breaks down, which I heard occurs, I’m not even gonna sweat it, ANYTHING and I do mean ANYTHING is better than riding that dreadful metro. OH and did I tell you it only costs $ 125 for me for a monthly pass between Odenton and DC, both ways? ONE TWENTY FIVE!!! Riding metro and paying to park was running me close to $ 300 a month, thats INSANE. The stress in my life has dropped by 95% since taking the MARC train to downtown. Once I get off the train, I walk 9 blocks straight down E street to my job, even in the rain, I REFUSE to get on any metrobus. Ugh! I’m very fortunate indeed now. I’m happier because the stress is gone. Can’t ya tell?! I done sat here and wrote a book! LOL
There is no way on god’s green earth I would EVER ride Metro again. EV – VER! Snow days when MARC is cancelled, this little piggy will be staying home! :)

I am so happy that trains run on weekends now, but finding that schedule online is quite the scavenger hunt. I hope that MARC expands service. More reliable inter-​city public transit is key to solving our energy, traffic and pollution problems.

Every time I take the marc train from union station, the employees at the station are the rudest assholes I’ve ever seen. There’s no signs for anything, the trains are on random tracks and sometimes hard to find, and on top of that, if you ask the employees a question like «where can I find train 352?», they won’t even answer you and just say «go inside» with the rudest attitude you’ve ever heard. It’s not even a one-​time issue, it happens almost every time! Miserable egotistical employees that need a beating. I would do it but I can’t have anymore issues on my record.

It has a tendency to be overcrowded, late and break down far too frequently, but it’s still the best way to get from Baltimore to D.C. everyday so I’m happy to take it.

I’m pretty sure this company has the most handy automated customer service phone line i’ve EVER called. if you have any questions, they’ll be answered, just call that glorious 1−800−325−7245.
this train makes my life more fun and convenient. if i had to use it daily to commute to work, i don’t think i’d be one bit upset.

My home away from home. Take the Marc so often from DC to Bmore and back, and for $ 7 a trip you can’t beat the price. Plus, on days where every Amtrak train is delayed for some stupid reason, you find yourself thanking the higher powers that the slow and sturdy Marc is on time!

Choo Choo… if you live outside of DC and want to beat the traffic this is the way to go!
The MARC train, where ever you grab will most likly end up in Union station. The MARC system is pretty nice and they useally stick to the schedule. (meaning if your train leaves at 4:00 from Union Station, it will leave at 4:00, so be aware) I have ridden this to and from DC many many times now, too many to count and counting would just be tiring :) and each time I have had a decent expereince. Nothing crazy, I mean come on people its public transportation, what do you expect a driver and a limo??? haha
Overall the whole thing is SUPER easy to figure out and understand and most everyone is very helpful if you do need help and can not get to a counter. 4 stars for the MARC train and I will def. be riding it soon!
Choo Choo all aboard.
note: make sure you do two things 1. wake up when its your stop! (happened once already haha not fun!) and 2. if you station does not open all doors, then ASK. You dont want to be running down the train to figure out which doors opon for your stop. This means NOT all doors open for all stations, so beware. BWI is one where ALL the doors open.
Tickets, tickets, tickets…

MARC is a convenient and cheap way to get from Baltimore to DC.
Sure you have to deal with the bus ride from BWI to the MARC/​Amtrak station, and the schedules on some of the lines are only convenient for commuters, but for $ 7 from Camden to Union Station, can you really complain?
Trains are generally clean, and usually empty depending on when and which line you go on. Park and ride is available at some of the stations as well.

Really MARC gets 3.75 stars… i’d choose the train ANYDAY over sitting in DC Metro area traffic from 3p-​630p and 90% of the time the train is reliable. I ride the Penn Line and love the express trains. They’ve made great improvements over the last couple years esepcially during the summer months. During the winter of 2011, the train was the only reliable transportation to DC… it may have been running 15 minutes late or so, but sure beat the heck out of attempting to drive! It’s WAY cheaper than the Metro AND parking is free at the majority of the train stations. If you must commute from Baltimore – Washington, take the Penn Line!

Although I have a lot of opinions on the MARC train’s Penn line (please refer to my Baltimore MARC train review), I want to chastise DC for – surprise! – only running the Brunswick line in one direction. Whaaaa!!!, you may ask. Yes, indeed: it is not possible to ride the Brunswick line train in the morning from DC to Rockville, for example. Likewise in the evenings, the reverse commute is not available as well. No wonder the public transport system is not hitting it big in the States. Every morning, I see and hear the Brunswick line but, because of the direction I need to go, it is a useless eye sore for me. Big Yuck.

So I’m in DC. My best friend says — take the green line on the Metro until you get to the shuttle that will take you to BWI. Her cousin says — eff that, pay a few more bucks — take the MARC train, you will not be disappointed. Originally, I was going to be going on this adventure alone, but the cousin came with. She lived in DC for years while going to school, so I trust her judgment and know how. Who’s to argue?
7 bucks will get you on the train. Make sure to buy the ticket at any of the Amtrak kiosks, but make sure you pick the MARC option — Amtrak will get you there, but it’ll also cost you like 25 bucks. If you don’t have a ticket — you could get into a lot of trouble. There are ticket takers on the train checking for tickets.
It’s about 30 mins on the train from Union Station, Only Monday — Friday though. There is a stop for BWI, and from there it’s a short bus ride to the airport.