Need info about Wilmington, Delaware Amtrak station

[21135Traveler]

My husband will be taking his first Amtrak trip next week going from Wilmington, Delaware, to Washington, D.C. He walked through the Newark station last week and said the layout was very confusing, that he did not see ticket windows, baggage check stations, or much of anything besides gates marked with letters. He would like to know something about how to find things in the Wilmington station before he gets there. He has his business class ticket already. Where can he find directions to his train? What should he do with his luggage? Thank you much..... I want this to be a good experience for him. Anything else he should know?

 

[Ryan]

What train is your husband traveling on? If he has a business class ticket, that means he's traveling on a Regional or Acela train, neither one of which have checked baggage service (with one exception). That makes the luggage question easy, he's going to carry it on the train with him.

Since he already has his ticket, he can just go straight up to the track that his train will be arriving/departing on when he arrives. It'll be quite well marked.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Are you talking about Newark, DE or Newark, NJ? Just curious.

Wilmington is pretty easy to get around. There are tv monitors showing the gate info. Unless the train comes in on the low level platform track, which is unusual, he will use the escalator that is visible from the waiting area (the other escalator & steps are not hard to find). There's also an elevator down a hallway behind the ticketing area. Ticketing & baggage check area is also easy to find...right there in the waiting area. It's a small station.

There's also a place to get food & drinks, magazines, etc.

 

[the_traveler]

And you might even see VP Joe Biden there! I think he still commutes from there (his home) to Washington sometimes. In fact, the WIL station was renamed for him!

 

[21135Traveler]

It was the Newark, N.J., station that my husband had been in. His hotel connected to it. Perhaps he came in a back door. He said he was in a long blank hall with no indication of how to get anywhere.

At Wilmington, if the taxi lets him off at the main door, it sounds like he will come into the main area with clear indications of where to go--? He'll be on Train 129 to Washington. Sounds like he'll carry his luggage aboard and stow it. I do want him to have a successful train experience so he'll be willing to take a trip with me!

 

[Heading North]

Wilmington is very manageable--I agree that Newark, NJ can be confusing (and it has a lot more trains, especially at rush hour). Most of the time, all Amtrak trains are on the same platform, with trains to Washington on one side and New York on the other. Once he is on the platform, a sign usually tells you what the next train is on each side ("129 Washington").

 

[the_traveler]

At Wilmington, if the taxi lets him off at the main door, it sounds like he will come into the main area with clear indications of where to go--? He'll be on Train 129 to Washington. Sounds like he'll carry his luggage aboard and stow it. I do want him to have a successful train experience so he'll be willing to take a trip with me!

Yes, the WIL station is very easy to manage. Probably one of the easiest "big" :giggle: city stations to get around. I think there AE only 4 tracks there, so it will be one escalator or the other.

And don't forget the luggage storage area aboard Amtrak trains is MUCH larger than on a plane, and there is additional storage at the end of the car.

 

[AlanB]

Yes, the WIL station is very easy to manage. Probably one of the easiest "big" :giggle: city stations to get around. I think there AE only 4 tracks there, so it will be one escalator or the other.

Only 3 tracks at WIL.

 

[battalion51]

Typically only SEPTA stops on the low level platform at WIL so it's not too hard at all. Washington can definitely be a maze, especially when you get in to the 4:00 hour with MARC, VRE, and Amtrak trains all making the afternoon push. Just like the airport things are pretty well labeled, so it's not too bad once you get your bearings.

 

[the_traveler]

Yes, the WIL station is very easy to manage. Probably one of the easiest "big" :giggle: city stations to get around. I think there AE only 4 tracks there, so it will be one escalator or the other.

Only 3 tracks at WIL.

Even easier! Just hope the station is not full of a bunch of crazy AU'ers! :giggle:

 

[21135Traveler]

Bless you all for the help. This gives me a greater confidence level!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I figured you were talking about Newark, NJ, which I've never been to, since the Newark, DE station is very small. I've never been to that one either and am not sure the building is even open. I live between the two & always use WIL since so few trains stop at Newark.

There are 3 doors that the cab may drop him off at. And all three lead to the waiting area. I suspect he'll get dropped off at one of or between the two doors on the side street. If so, the escalator is between those doors. The ticket windows & Quik-Traks are "straight" ahead.

If he enters from the front of the building, the escalator is to the right.

 

[21135Traveler]

There's nothing like getting info from someone who's been there. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to do this. Having questions answered certainly promotes train travel!

 

[the_traveler]

That the real purpose of Amtrak Unlimited (AU). I'm glad we could help! I hope you'll consider joining AU. There's no cost to do so!

 

[benjibear]

Just while we are on the topic of this station, if one were take a ride (maybe on a points run) to this station, is there anything nearby or via public transportation to do in Willmington? Are there any good places to eat nearby?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

The station is on the riverfront. Google Wilmington Riverfront (or River Walk) and you should find a website showing a map of places to eat. I like walking the River Walk and I pass many restaurants. It's about a 1 to 1-1/2 mile walk one way. There are at least two restaurants near the train station plus a small market place. I haven't been done there since fall (too cold) so not sure if anything has changed. Hopefully the website is up-to-date.

 

[battalion51]

The Marketplace is pretty good. Its set up like a food court. If you walk out the railroad south end of the station and walk by the parking garage it'll be adjacent to the river just a couple of blocks down. Depending on how much time you have there's also an IMAX theater nearby, it's maybe a ten minute walk from the train station (headed railroad south, down near the curve).