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About Penn Station Baltimore
The historic Baltimore Penn Station opened in 1911, right at the peak of the railway transport boom in the United States. Boasting a grand columned style, the Penn Station’s architecture mimics that of the New York City rail hub of the same name.
Today, this Baltimore train station continues to be one of the nation’s busiest, with nearly half a million Amtrak passengers annually. In addition, Penn Station Baltimore is also a stop for MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) trains that serve the greater Washington, D.C. area.
With simple, clean, and effective facilities and a convenient location just north of downtown and the Inner Harbor, Penn Station Baltimore is well-liked by travellers and commuters alike. It’s a practical, highly functional transit hub, offering connections to multiple Amtrak lines, cruise ships, and BWI International Airport.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Hours
12:00 AM to 2:00 AM & 3:00 AM to 11:59 PM
The station’s waiting room closes each night between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baltimore’s Penn Station is conveniently located several blocks north of downtown Baltimore, between Charles Street and St. Paul Street and next to I-83. Situated between the Bolton Hill and Old Goucher neighbourhoods and not far from the Inner Harbor, it’s in a cosmopolitan location with lots of dining and shopping options nearby.
The Baltimore Light RailLink is the easiest way to get around the city, and the Mt. Royal/MICA station is the closest Light RailLink station to Penn Station. It’s a short half-mile walk along Oliver Street from the Mt. Royal Station to Penn Station.
There is also a Light RailLink connection from Camden Station directly to Penn Station every half hour. It’s easy to connect from Penn Station to the Baltimore subway system via the Light Rail.
Several local transit buses stop at Penn Station, too, including the Citylink Green and Silver lines.
The taxi rank at Penn Station Baltimore is located right outside the building’s main entrance in a separate lane from private drivers. There are typically several taxis parked and ready, so you won’t have to wait too long for a taxi.
Oftentimes, it’s more affordable to request an Uber or Lyft to or from Penn Station Baltimore than to utilize a taxi. The rideshare pickup and drop-off area is well-signed in a circular driveway just outside the station’s entrance.
For a rough idea of average rates, expect to pay about $9 to go from Penn Station to downtown and about $10 to get to the National Aquarium.
There are several options to travel from Baltimore Penn Station to the Baltimore Airport (BWI). The quickest is to utilize an Amtrak route that stops right at the airport, such as the Acela, Palmetto, or Vermonter line. While there are only a few departures a day servicing the airport, transit time is less than 20 minutes.
Alternatively, hop on one of the MARC trains, which take about 25 minutes, or use the Light RailLink, which lasts 40 minutes. Though its transit time is the longest, the light rail has the most frequent departures.
Driving the 14 miles from Penn Station to BWI usually takes at least 30 minutes, so transit is often more convenient.
The train station and the Baltimore cruise port are located across the city from one other, but are easily interlinked. Simply hop on the CityLink Silver bus from Penn Station Baltimore to Pratt Street in the Inner Harbor. From the Inner Harbor, you can take a local bus or Uber the remaining 2 miles to the Maryland Cruise Terminal.
Located in a bustling part of the city, there is much to explore near the Baltimore train station! Nearby Charles Street is home to a handful of theatres and live music venues, if you’re looking for a hit of culture. Or grab a tasty snack and glass of wine at Le Comptoir Du Vin, just a 5-minute walk away.
Head south of the station to the trendy Mount Vernon neighbourhood of Baltimore and you’ll find the Walters Art Museum and the Washington Monument.
Amenities
Parking
Parking is available at several locations near Penn Station Baltimore. For hourly parking, the Penn Station Garage has rates from $5 an hour. Amtrak customers can also park in the car park on Lanvale Street, with $18 daily rates.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi in Penn Station was redone in 2017, replacing an outdated system. Now, there’s a strong, free connection available throughout the station — simply join the network ‘AmtrakConnect.’
Baggage Storage
Temporary baggage storage at Penn Station Baltimore is available at the Amtrak Parcel Service Station. It costs $10 for Amtrak ticket holders and $20 for other travellers.
Restaurants
Penn Station Baltimore offers limited dining, including just Dunkin Donuts and Auntie Anne’s pretzels. However, there are many food and beverage options within a 5-minute walk, like Potbelly Sandwiches, Starbucks, and a pizzeria.
Waiting Area
There is only one waiting room in Baltimore Penn Station. It’s open every day and throughout the night, closing only between 2:00am and 3:00 am. Seating consists of long wooden benches near the gates.
Accessibility
Baltimore Penn Station is well-designed for accessibility. Facilities like the parking, ticket office, waiting room, train platforms, and toilets are adapted for wheelchair use.
Toilets
There is a set of toilets inside Penn Station Baltimore, but they are not known for their cleanliness. If possible, wait to use a toilet onboard your train, or walk five minutes to a coffee shop on Charles and Preston Street for substantially nicer facilities.
Inside the Station
Baltimore Penn Station is currently undergoing a huge renovation and expansion. The current entrance is on Charles Street, to the south of the station; however, new entry points will soon be expanded. Facilities will remain in the single hall, housed on one level.
Amtrak tickets and services are to the right immediately after entering, while local transit information is to the left. During renovations, there will be temporary ticket offices, easily found upon entering. Train platforms are located across from the entrance, accessible by stairs, lift and escalator.
With the current construction, allot extra time to navigate the station.
Near Penn Station Baltimore
- Distance to the University of Baltimore0.2 miles
- Distance to Baltimore Symphony Orchestra0.3 miles
- Distance to the Walters Art Museum0.7 miles
- Distance to Oriole Park1.6 miles
- Distance to the National Aquarium1.5 miles
- Distance to Baltimore/Washington International Airport9 miles
Train Carriers at Penn Station Baltimore
Penn Station is Baltimore’s Amtrak station, as well as one of the hubs for MARC service in the area. One Light RailLink line departs from Penn Station to connect to downtown Baltimore.
With frequent Amtrak trains running to Washington, D.C., plus MARC Penn Line connecting the two cities, Penn Station Baltimore offers one of the most convenient ways to reach the U.S. Capitol. Many trains also utilize high-speed rail, making the station an efficient regional and intercity travel hub.
Although it serves a sizable volume of passengers daily, there are currently only three train platforms, with departures spread throughout the day. As a result, the station is seldom overcrowded — a nice perk, especially for a large city!
AmtrakPenn Station Baltimore is fairly compact and well laid-out for Amtrak passengers. You can’t miss the customer service desk — it’s immediately to the right after entering the station. Baggage services are also handled at customer service.
Since Penn Station is redoing its train platforms, Amtrak platform information is not released online ahead of time. Be sure to get to the station with enough time to check your platform, and be aware that there may be frequent changes during station renovation.
AcelaOne of the most convenient and popular Amtrak routes on the East Coast, the Acela is a high-speed train linking Washington, D.C. to Boston with stops in several major cities along the way.
Reaching speeds of up to 150 mph, the train links Baltimore Penn Station with other cities quickly—getting to Philadelphia only takes one hour! The Acela train is also the quickest option to the BWI airport from Baltimore Penn Station, taking just 13 minutes.
There are six daily Acela departures from Penn Station Baltimore, both northbound and southbound.
Amtrak Northeast RegionalAmtrak Northeast Regional provides convenient connections between high-density cities in the Northeast Corridor. Over 50 Northeast Regional trains stop in Baltimore each day, usually departing at least once hourly in either direction.
Baltimore is one of the last stops on the southbound Northeast Regional route, with only BWI and New Carrollton, MD between Baltimore Penn Station and Union Station in D.C.
Amtrak Silver ServiceAmtrak’s Silver Service technically comprises two individual routes that link Miami and New York City. The iconic trains known as Silver Star and Silver Meteor each stop at Baltimore Penn Station once daily in direction; southbound departures are in the afternoon and evening while northbound departures are in the morning.
Amtrak CrescentThe lengthy Amtrak Crescent line connects Baltimore to New York City to the north and New Orleans to the south.
Northbound Crescent trains pass through Baltimore once daily in the afternoon, while southbound trains depart in the evening, making this a viable overnight route if you’re travelling as far as Atlanta or New Orleans.
Amtrak CardinalOne of the least-utilized (and thus, least crowded!) Amtrak routes, the Cardinal connects Chicago with New York City via Washington, D.C.
Cardinal trains run just three days a week. Eastbound trains arrive in Baltimore in the evening on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, which makes the Cardinal a convenient way to get back from a NYC or Philadelphia day trip.
On its westward journey from Baltimore, the train departs in the mornings and continues on to stops throughout the southeast before finally arriving in Chicago.
Amtrak VermonterThe Amtrak Vermonter originates in Washington D.C. and heads north to several stops in Vermont, including St. Albans on the U.S.-Canada border.
One northbound Vermonter train leaves Baltimore daily in the morning, making it a great option for connecting to larger hubs in New England.
Heading south, the train follows a similar schedule and departs its origin in St. Albans in the morning. Baltimore Penn Station is one of the last stops on this route, with only a few more stations before the Vermonter reaches its terminus in D.C.
Amtrak CarolinianThe Amtrak Carolinian runs daily from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina. Baltimore is one of the first of over 20 stops on this scenic route.
From Baltimore, Carolinian trains depart southbound mid-morning, while they head northbound from Baltimore in the evening each day.
Amtrak PalmettoThe Palmetto runs from Savannah, Georgia, to New York City, servicing Baltimore and dozens of other stops along the way.
One train passes through Baltimore daily in each direction. When heading north, the departure from Baltimore is in the late evening, while the southbound train departs Baltimore in the morning. This route is great for a late-night connection to cities in the Northeast or as a scenic way to discover charming Southern hubs like Charleston and Savannah.
Top routes from Penn Station Baltimore
| Destination | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | 36 | 38 mins | US$31.21 |
| Philadelphia | 35 | 1 hr, 17 mins | US$110.48 |
| Newark | 33 | 2 hrs, 34 mins | US$200.29 |
| New York | 34 | 2 hrs, 54 mins | US$209.25 |
| Boston | 11 | 7 hrs, 45 mins | US$301.97 |
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