bag storage in the Washington DC First-Class Lounge

[guest second timer]

Hello

We're doing our second Amtrak rail trip ever, from Reno through to Washington DC on the California Zephyr and then the Capitol Limited.

After several days of sightseeing in Washington we are going to take the Acela train first class to New York for more tourist activities and then--ugh-- fly home.

Our question:

On our final day in Washington, we check out of our hotel and still have several hours of sightseeing time before catching an early evening Acela.

Is it possible to leave our luggage in the First Class Lounge, which we understand we will have access to as we are going in Acela first class. Is it safe to do that?? Is there a better alternative such as Amtrak luggage bag storage that you would pay for?

Anyone familiar with the Washington DC facilities, we would appreciate your knowledge.

Thanks!

 

[J-1 3235]

Yes, you may leave your bags in the Club Acela. I have done so many times with no problems.

I believe there is a bag storage option in the station, but it is an outside concern, not Amtrak. IIRC, it was rather expensive. Perhaps another poster might have more details about this option.

Mike

 

[Ryan]

You pretty much nailed it, just storing the bags in the Club is the best bet. The outside place is silly expensive. It's down by Gate A if you want to use it.

 

[Bob Dylan]

As was said, The Lounge option is perfectly OK and it's Free! Its a Large Open Room behind the Check in Desk with Shelves and Open Closets but everyone leaves there Luggage there while waiting in the Lounge or Sightseeing! Please consider having a Red Cap pick you up in the Lounge and take you to your Train on a Cart, Union Station is Busy and can be Confusing, just ask @ the Desk when you Check in to the Club Acela and they'll come get you before your Train Boards! A Good Deal for the $5 tip IMO!!!

 

[battalion51]

Not sure where your hotel is in relation to Union Station or the sights, but that's another potential location you can leave them at. Most hotels, particularly in a tourist heavy city like D.C. will offer bag check for guests checking in or checking out.

 

[the_traveler]

I have no problems leaving my bags in the storage room of the CA. If you have something of value that you don't want to take with you (like a computer or camera), I would if possible put those inside another piece of luggage while storing them there. "Out of sight, out of mind."

 

[guest second timer]

wow thank you to all who posted with the good information. we will leave the bags at the Acela Club since there appears to be no security problem

we checked the baggage storage company web site and they want $30 a day per bag! That sounds crazy. I always thought you could do it at an Amtrak counter for maybe $5 for temporary storage,

But maybe washington is a high price area?! For that waste of $90 (we will have three bags) additional we could maybe go Acela super first class!

 

[Bob Dylan]

wow thank you to all who posted with the good information. we will leave the bags at the Acela Club since there appears to be no security problemwe checked the baggage storage company web site and they want $30 a day per bag! That sounds crazy. I always thought you could do it at an Amtrak counter for maybe $5 for temporary storage,

But maybe washington is a high price area?! For that waste of $90 (we will have three bags) additional we could maybe go Acela super first class!

This is Outrageous and Amtrak needs to bring this Legalized Robbery back in House so it costs the Standard $4 a day for Bag Storage! Wonder if the Amtrak Suits even know about this??? :help:

 

[SilverStar092]

I've done this many times with no problem. I always make sure my luggage is clearly marked with distinct luggage tags and I usually carry an elastic cord that I can use to connect all the luggage items together. These measures prevent someone from accidentally grabbing the wrong piece of luggage.

 

[afigg]

wow thank you to all who posted with the good information. we will leave the bags at the Acela Club since there appears to be no security problemwe checked the baggage storage company web site and they want $30 a day per bag! That sounds crazy. I always thought you could do it at an Amtrak counter for maybe $5 for temporary storage,

But maybe washington is a high price area?! For that waste of $90 (we will have three bags) additional we could maybe go Acela super first class!

This is Outrageous and Amtrak needs to bring this Legalized Robbery back in House so it costs the Standard $4 a day for Bag Storage! Wonder if the Amtrak Suits even know about this??? :help:

I expect Amtrak senior management personnel are well aware of the high prices for the baggage storage operator. Some of them may walk past the baggage storage counter on a daily basis. But it is not up to Amtrak. DC Union Station is run by the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation who answer to the FRA and US DOT since the US DOT owns Union Station. Amtrak is just a tenant at DC Union Station, although it owns the tracks and platforms.

 

[jis]

Amtrak is just a tenant at DC Union Station, although it owns the tracks and platforms.

Actually it is Washington Terminal Company that owns the tracks and platforms. Amtrak owns Washington Terminal Company. But they are two separate legal entities and different sets of laws apply to them. For example WTC is not exempt from Interstate Commerce Act as Amtrak is. This had bearing on the nastiness that transpired between Amtrak and VRE when Amtrak tried to kick VRE out of Union Station after losing the VRE contract, and failed, due to this minor issue.