You’ve just stepped off an Amtrak train at Union Station. The marble floors are gleaming, the ceiling is a golden masterpiece, and honestly, you just want to get to your hotel without spending forty bucks on a rideshare that’s stuck in K Street traffic. This is where Sixt rent a car Washington DC Union Station enters the chat. Most people instinctively book their rentals at Reagan National (DCA) or Dulles (IAD), but if you’re already downtown or arriving by rail, the Union Station branch is a total life hack.
It's tucked away in the massive parking complex behind the historic station. If you haven’t been there, the Union Station Parking Garage is a beast. You’ll find the Sixt counter on Level 2, specifically Level 2A.
Getting there is a bit of a trek. From the main terminal, you head toward the back—the "Bus Deck" area. Since the bus deck is basically the ground floor for transit, you’ll need to take two sets of escalators up to the second level. Turn left, follow the signs, and keep walking until the bright orange Sixt logo hits you. It feels a bit like a scavenger hunt, but once you’re there, the vibe is way more chill than the chaotic airport counters.
Finding the Sixt Rent a Car Washington DC Union Station Counter
Look, Union Station is beautiful, but it can be confusing. To find Sixt rent a car Washington DC Union Station, you need to ignore the grand statues for a second and focus on the signs for "Parking" and "Buses."
If you’re coming from the Metro (Red Line), follow the signs toward the Amtrak gates and then look for the escalators leading to the parking garage. The physical address is 99 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. This is actually the entrance for the cars, but as a pedestrian, you're entering through the station's internal "mezzanine" connections.
The staff here is generally pretty sharp. They’re used to travelers who are tired from a long train ride and just want to get moving. One thing that’s kinda cool about this specific location is the car selection. Even though it’s a city branch, they keep a solid inventory of those "German-engineered" cars Sixt is famous for. Think BMWs and Audis that don’t look like the typical beige rental fleet.
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Hours of Operation and When to Show Up
Don't just roll up at midnight expecting a car. Unlike the airports that stay open until the last flight lands, the Union Station branch has more "business-y" hours.
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (sometimes they open at 8:00 AM, but check your booking)
If your train gets in late on a Sunday, you’re basically out of luck at this location. Plan accordingly. If you're returning a car, the return lane is also on Level 2. Just follow the "Rental Car Return" signs once you enter the garage from H Street. You park in a designated Sixt spot, hand the keys to an agent, and you’re a three-minute walk from the Amtrak gates.
The Fleet: What You'll Actually Drive
People choose Sixt rent a car Washington DC Union Station because they want something better than a 2019 sedan with coffee stains. Sixt positions itself as a "premium" brand, and it usually shows.
You’ll see a lot of Nissan Versas for the budget-conscious, but the real gems are the "Compact Elite" or "Intermediate" categories. In DC, you want something small enough to parallel park in Georgetown but sturdy enough to handle the potholes on New York Avenue. I’ve seen Volkswagen Taos and even the occasional BMW 3 Series floating around this lot.
One thing they do that’s kinda fun is the "Mystery Car" or "Lucky Dip." You pay a lower rate and they give you whatever is left on the lot. Sometimes it’s a basic sedan, but every now and then, you end up with a luxury SUV because that’s all they had left. It’s a gamble, but in a city as expensive as DC, it can be a win.
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Dealing with the DC Deposit
Let’s talk money. This isn’t a Sixt thing; it’s an industry thing, but Sixt is very transparent about it. They’re going to run a "hold" on your card. Usually, it’s around $200, but if you’re renting a high-end Mercedes or a large SUV, that hold can jump significantly.
Also, they do take debit cards, which is a big deal because many competitors make you jump through hoops for that. If you use a debit card at Sixt rent a car Washington DC Union Station, just be ready to show a return travel itinerary (like your Amtrak ticket or a flight confirmation) and maybe an extra ID like a utility bill if you’re a local.
Navigating DC from Union Station
Once you get your keys and pull out of the garage, you’re immediately thrown into the deep end of DC traffic. Union Station sits right near the Capitol, which means lots of one-way streets and sudden "No Left Turn" signs that seem designed to ruin your day.
Pro tip: Don't just "wing it" with your phone in your lap. Use a mount or the car's Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The "Columbus Circle" area right in front of the station is a giant roundabout with about five different exits. If you miss yours, you’re halfway to Maryland before you can turn around.
- Tolls: Most of the roads in DC proper are free, but if you’re heading out to Virginia (like the Dulles Toll Road or the I-66 Express Lanes), you’ll want the E-ZPass transponder. Sixt offers an all-inclusive toll service. Honestly, if you’re staying in the city, skip it. If you’re driving to Richmond or Dulles, just pay the daily fee to avoid the $25 "administrative" fines later.
- Parking: Finding parking in DC is a nightmare. Most hotels charge $50+ per night. If your hotel is near a Metro stop, consider if you actually need the car for the whole trip or just for a day trip to Mount Vernon or Annapolis.
Why This Location Beats the Airport
If you’re staying at a hotel in NoMa, Capitol Hill, or even Chinatown, renting from Sixt rent a car Washington DC Union Station saves you a ton of time. You avoid the "Rental Car Center" shuffle at the airports where you have to take a bus to get to your car. At Union Station, the cars are literally right there.
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Furthermore, the rates at city locations are often lower because they don't have the same "airport facility fees" that tack on an extra 15% to your bill. You're basically getting a premium car without the "I just landed at DCA" tax.
Wait times are also significantly shorter. While the line at DCA can be twenty people deep on a Friday afternoon, the Union Station counter is often quiet. It’s a more personal experience. Karl and the team there (shoutout to the staff mentioned in recent reviews) are known for being way more helpful than the stressed-out agents at the bigger hubs.
Vital Tips for a Smooth Rental
Check your car. I can’t stress this enough. Before you leave the Level 2 garage, walk around the vehicle. The lighting in that garage is okay, but use your phone flashlight to check for rim scuffs or small door dings. DC drivers are aggressive, and the previous renter might have "kissed" a curb.
- Fueling up: Don't wait until you're back at the station to find gas. The gas stations immediately surrounding Union Station are notoriously overpriced. Stop a few miles out in Northeast DC or on your way in from Maryland to top off the tank.
- The App: Download the Sixt app before you arrive. Sometimes you can bypass the counter entirely or at least speed up the paperwork.
- The "Gold" Card: If you rent often, the Sixt Gold status is actually worth it. It’s free to join and often gets you a free upgrade if they have a better car sitting idle on the lot.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
If you're planning to use Sixt rent a car Washington DC Union Station, the smartest move is to book at least two weeks in advance. Because the lot is smaller than an airport lot, the "good" cars go fast.
- Check your Amtrak arrival time against the branch closing hours. If you land at 4:45 PM on a Friday, you're cutting it way too close.
- Have your digital insurance card ready on your phone or bring a printout if you plan to decline the Sixt coverage.
- Map out your exit from the garage ahead of time; the H Street exit can be tricky during rush hour.
- Keep your rental agreement handy, especially the phone number for the branch. If you get stuck in DC’s gridlock on the way back, calling them might save you a late fee.