Virginia Capital Trail || How to use Amtrak to Ride the Trail

Editor's note: This article was initially published in September 2019 and was updated in July 2023 for accuracy and comprehensiveness (Amtrak Screen Shots are current). 

Like most good ideas, it's not always about where they come from, but rather about following through with them. I may have been inspired by explorer Alastair Humphreys, or perhaps by Laura and Russ over at The Path Less Pedaled, but who really knows?

The logistics of outdoor adventures can often be tricky. Sometimes you need two cars, a shuttle service, or just a little extra help getting from point A to point B. This can become even more complicated if you're solo traveler. But what if you could reach your trailhead or starting point by train?

Waiting for our bikes to be offloaded from the baggage car.

That’s right—by train! While Amtrak previously offered a bicycle box service, it was limited to certain routes and stations. However, Amtrak now offers a new train-side service on select routes, providing cyclists with an exciting alternative way to explore.

The above Amtrak routes offer train-side checked bicycles.

The Virginia Capital Trail stretches 51.2 miles, connecting Jamestown—the first capital of the Colony of Virginia, founded in 1607—with Richmond, the current capital of Virginia. This scenic trail is also part of the TransAmerica bicycle route (Route 76) and the Historic Coastal Route of the East Coast Greenway.

As shown above, Amtrak's Northeast Regional trains 65, 66, and 67 make it possible to ride the entire 51.2-mile Virginia Capital Trail by taking the train either from Richmond to Williamsburg or from Williamsburg to Richmond.

Now, let’s unravel the process of using the train to set up this cycling adventure.

I’ll break down the trip into three main legs:

1. Train station to train station
2. The route from the train station to the trailhead
3. The Virginia Capital Trail itself

There are two Amtrak stations in Richmond, but for this trip, you’ll want to use Main Street Station (RVM). In Williamsburg, the station is called the Williamsburg Transportation Center (WBG).

Here are the relevant train schedules:

• Train 66 departs Williamsburg at 5:41 p.m. and arrives in Richmond at 6:30 p.m. (daily)
• Train 65 departs Richmond at 9:34 a.m. and arrives in Williamsburg at 10:30 a.m. (Friday and Saturday)
• Train 67 departs Richmond at 10:10 a.m. and arrives in Williamsburg at 11:14 a.m. (Sunday-Thursday)

Amtrak 67 Northeast Regional Train reservation screen.

In the screenshot above, I’ve selected the Northeast Regional Train 67 from Richmond’s Main Street Station (RVM) to the Williamsburg Transportation Center (WBG). Next, you’ll have the option to choose between coach or business class. I personally opted for coach class, and it turned out to be a great choice—there’s plenty of room, and the seat is quite comfortable for the one-hour journey.

Select your seat.

Select the SAVER ticket option ($10) and click Add to Cart. On the next screen, you'll see options for additional items—this is where you can add your bicycle to your booking.

An additional Item is where you reserve space for your bicycle.

The bicycle reservation costs an additional $20, bringing the total train fare to $30. Once your payment is processed, you’ll receive an email with your ticket attached. Be sure to check that both your personal ticket and the bicycle ticket are listed.

Note:
Based on my research, the bicycle service is available from May to October. Parking at Main Street Station (RVM) is $5 per day, while parking at the Williamsburg Transportation Center (WBG) is free.

Mile marker 0 of the Virginia Capital Trail begins in Jamestown. Depending on your route from Williamsburg, the ride to the trailhead ranges from 7.5 to 10 miles. The trail’s endpoint is at Great Shiplock Park, which is just 0.9 miles from Main Street Station.

Note:
When we arrived at the station with bicycles, the security staff seemed surprised. Initially, they told us bikes weren’t allowed on the train. However, once I mentioned that I had a ticket for the bicycle, they pointed us in the direction of the stairs to board.

The waiting area of Main Street Station, Richmond Virginia.

Richard and I were welcomed by the grand splendor of this ornate station, built in 1901. During wartime, as many as 1,000 troops would pass through the station daily. It's hard to imagine that bustling scene now, as today we were two of just four passengers catching the train from Richmond.

The ornate details of the station.

The old rails that trains came into the station on. Now part of a 100,00 venue called The Shed.

The bicycles waiting for the train.

In the picture above, you can see a long steel plate. The train car designated for bicycles will pull up in front of this plate. One of the conductors will first check your ticket to ensure you have the bicycle reservation before the conductor will load it onto the train.

Bicycles being loaded train side and train cars are just for bicycles.

Departing Richmond we pass Great Shiplock Park. This is the endpoint of the trail from Jamestown.

Our train ride lasted just under an hour. The train offers free WiFi and has a café car where you can grab snacks. Unlike a plane, there's ample space between the seats to stretch your legs. As the train approaches the station, the conductor will come by to let you know when it's time to prepare for disembarking, especially if you're near the front of the train. This helps streamline the unloading of the bicycles.

Waiting to unload the bicycles at Williamsburg Transportation Center. 

After unloading our bicycles and changing into our riding gear, we needed to ride to the trailhead. The station is just four blocks from Colonial Williamsburg and the College of William & Mary. We opted to take Jamestown Road, which has a bike lane for most of the 7.7-mile ride to the trailhead.

While our primary focus on this trip was using the train and riding the Virginia Capital Trail, we quickly realized it could have been turned into a multi-day, multi-venue adventure. We could have explored Williamsburg, cycled the Colonial Parkway to Yorktown, and even gone mountain biking at New Quarter and Waller Mill Parks.

Mile Marker 0 is just across the street from Jamestown.

Right Around the corner is Billsbury Brewery and Taphouse.

One thing we learned on this trip is that when heading back to Richmond, you're likely to encounter a headwind for the entire route.

The bike selfie.

At the midpoint of our ride, we catch a light lunch and beer at Cul's Courthouse Grille.

We took a much-needed lunch break at Cul's Courthouse Grille, located at Charles City Courthouse. The grille offers a great selection of craft beers from both Richmond and Williamsburg and is very cyclist-friendly. If you're wearing road shoes, be sure to bring cleat covers, as the grille features the original wood floors from the 1872 building.

Coincidentally, the day we took this trip marked the 18th anniversary of 9/11. Richard wore his RWB team kit and unexpectedly ran into a group of RWB members who were doing a 9/11 anniversary ruck to the Virginia War Memorial.

Team RWB 9-11 Ruck.

Richard at the Great Shiplock Park mile 51.2

This was a great trip, and the train just opened up different options for travel and exploring. I hope this post inspires you to use the train to make your cycling adventure.

Disclaimer: 

This trip was a fantastic experience, and taking the train opened up new possibilities for travel and exploration. I hope this post inspires you to use the train for your own cycling adventure.

Disclaimer:
While this post serves as a guide, be sure to check train schedules, station routes, trailheads, trail conditions, and weather before you go. Keep in mind that the train can sometimes be delayed, as Amtrak shares tracks with freight trains, which may cause longer travel times. If you're planning your trip from Williamsburg, note that the train arrives in Richmond in the afternoon, meaning you'll likely get back to Williamsburg quite late. Consider planning for an overnight stay or bringing bike lights for the ride. To plan the safest route from the train station to the trailhead, I used Google Street View. Two routes I found suitable were the Jamestown Road route we took and the Colonial Parkway route.

Resource links:
Main Street Station 

Virginia Capital Trail

Williamsburg Transportation Center

Amtrak

Now It's Your Turn-

If you have any questions or comments please comment or use the Contact Us form and I will do my best to answer your question. After reading the article, did you take the train? Was this helpful?