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Car Hire at Washington DC Union Train Station - Exploring the US Capital

Opened early in the 20th century, Washington DC Union Train Station is one of the most iconic buildings in the US capital and a striking gateway to the city. A magnificent neoclassical masterpiece designed by the renowned American architect Daniel Burnham, the station operates as a major transportation hub and retail centre that's used by more than forty million people every year.

One of the most historic stations in the world, Washington DC Union Train Station features a large shopping and dining area that's spread across three levels, as well as a spacious four-storey car park. Besides incorporating the city's main bus terminal, it also serves the METRO, Amtrak, MARC and VRE commuter line operators and is a regular drop-off/pick-up point for numerous tour bus companies.

Proud capital of the USA, Washington DC is not only one of America's most impressive looking cities, it is also a major tourist destination with an abundance of first-rate attractions, amongst then some of the world's top museums and galleries. Must-see sights include the White House, Capitol, National Air and Space Museum, Albert Einstein Planetarium, National Gallery of Art and Museum of Natural History, to name just a few.

With a car hire from Washington DC Union Train Station, visitors can enjoy the city before exploring other parts of north-east America, such as the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the famous Civil War battlefields of Fredericksburg. Other excellent options include day-trips to the wonderful cities of Philadeplhia and New York, plus an exhilarating drive through the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest.

Auto Europe can help you plan the trip of a lifetime to the US capital and its environs. As one of the world's top car rental companies, we now operate in more than 28,000 locations in over 190 popular destinations worldwide. With us, you'll have all the freedom and flexibility you need in addition to being able to choose from the widest range of vehicles available on the market.

As a market-leading car hire company, Auto Europe works closely with all the world’s top car rental companies in Washington DC and elsewhere in the USA to guarantee the cheapest rates and very best service in the industry. Book online through our state-of-the-art search engine now or contact our rental specialists for assistance and they will be happy to help you with your reservation. Furthermore, please check out the ratings and comments posted by previous customers in the city on our Washington DC car hire reviews page.

Station Information

Designed by the great architect Daniel Burnham, Washington DC Union Train Station stands as one of America’s first great railway terminals. The station started operating with the arrival of a B&O Railroad passenger train from Pittsburgh on the 27th of October 1907 before being officially inaugurated in April 1908. Today, the station continues to inspire visitors with its detailed neoclassical architecture and beautiful façade made of the finest white Bethel granite. besides being one of the country’s busiest rail facilities, it is also a prime destination for shopping and dining for tourists and local residents alike.

Where to pick up my car hire at Washington DC Union Train Station

For travellers looking to take advantage of its convenient location and rent a car at Washington DC Union Train Station, they will find several major vehicle suppliers operating both within the station building itself and in the surrounding streets, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise and National. Inside the station, all the car hire companies are located on the Mezzanine Level near the parking garage entrance. Please have all your documents ready such as your driving licence, passport, etc. in order to ensure that the pick-up process is as speedy and seamless as possible.

	Alamo at Washington DC Union Train Station 99 H St Ne Washington, USA 20002 +1 202 715 1912	Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (Sat & Sun 8am-1pm)
	Enterprise at Washington DC Union Train Station 99 H St Ne Washington, USA 20002 +1 202 715 1912	Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm (closed Sat & Sun)

Station facilities

There's something for everyone at Washington DC Union Train Station and passengers with time on their hands can explore over a hundred stores offering all kinds of products, from clothing (H&M, Victoria’s Secret, etc.) and jewellery (Kashmir, Claire’s, Aureato, etc.) gifts, toys, souvenirs and much more. Visitors will also find many opportunities to relax with a snack or full meal which are served in the station's extensive food court where many restaurants offering a range of international dishes are located. There’s also a multi-screen cinema situated on the lower level.

How to get to and from Washington DC Union Station

Due to its close proximity to the world-famous Capitol building (just a 10-minute walk away) and the National Mall, picking up and dropping off your car hire at Washington DC Union Train Station is a relatively easy process because of the city's efficient sign-posting system. The journey to and from Washington Ronald Reagan Airport outside the rush-hour normally takes around 15-20 minutes. To the north of the station is H street (and the H street trolly system), plus taking the DC Metro to Union Station is extremely easy since it has a dedicated stop on the Red line. Many Amtrak routes and trains also stop at the station, arriving from cities all over the USA.

Parking tips

As you would expect from the nation's capital, Washington DC is a very well organised city with street parking opportunities available in most neighbourhoods. Keep an eye on the street signs because most parking spots have restricted hours such as during the rush hour, for instance, which are strictly enforced with parking tickets placed on the windscreen or sometimes the vehicle is towed away. Most parking is metered and many of the city's ticket machines accept both cash and credit cards. It is also perfectly possible to park your car rental at Washington DC Union Train Station where there is a large car park located at 30 Massachusetts Avenue NE, which is a 24 hour, multi-level facility.

Useful links

Washington DC Tourist Info