How to get around in Washington?

How To Get Around In Washington

What are the best ways to get around in Washington?

How to get around in Washington? One of the most common question when traveling to a new city. Figuring out how to get around efficiently and cost effectively is important when traveling to a new city. Visiting a new city can be a ton of fun, but pricey if you don't know your way around. We have created a list of some of the most popular transportation options available in Washington during your sports trip. Plan the ultimate trip with the help of our travel experts and don't get caught unprepared when traveling to a new city!

How to get around in Washington

We suggest against driving within Washington DC as it is known to have some of America’s worst traffic congestion. It is also known to have some confusing road rules and streets as many two-way streets become one-way streets. Although if you are exploring downtown, walking is always the most recommended form of transportation.

How to get around in Washington?

Here is a list of options on how to get around in Washington:
  

  • Metro - DC’s modern subway network. Besides walking, this is the best way to get around the DC area as it will bring you to most sights, hotels and business districts as well as to the Maryland and Virginia suburbs
    • 6 Lines - Red, Orange, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Silver
    • Fares cost $2.25 to $6 depending on distance traveled and the time of day. Fares are increased slightly during morning and evening rush hours
    • Requires a SmartTrip card. These can be loaded with funds at any station. Use the card to enter and exit the turnstile. This card can also be used on all local buses.
    • Unlimited-ride metro passes are available for $14.75 at any station.

  • Bus - DC’s bus system consists of two main fleets. Exact change is needed or riders can also pay using a SmartTrip Card
    • Metrobus - Fare is $2. Operates like any city bus, in and around the city.
    • DC Circulator - This bus runs along local routes looping by all major museums and memorials as well as shopping destinations. Fare is $1.

  • Water Taxi
    • Potomac Riverboat Co - Serves Georgetown, the Wharf, Old Town Alexandria and Maryland’s National Harbor. $10 for adults, $7 for kids.

  • Bikesharing
    • Capital Bikeshare

  • Scootershare
    • Skip
    • Spin
    • Bird
    • Lime
    • Lyft

  • Carsharing
    • Zipcar
    • Car2Go

  • Rideshare
    • Uber
    • Lyft

  • Car Rental
    • Elite Sports Tours can assist you with a car rental reservation during your trip.

  • Taxis
    • Can be difficult to hail on the street, best to get one at a hotel.



These are some of the best transportation options when trying to figure out how to get around in Washington.

Airport (DCA), (IAD) & (BWI) around in Washington?

# of Major Washington Airports: 3

 

  1. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
  2. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 
  3. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

 

How to get to and from DCA

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is an international airport located in Arlington, VA just across the Potomac River from Downtown D.C. We would consider DCA as the best airport to fly in and out of if you are staying in the heart of Washington or in the Arlington area, being the closest to the National Mall, the Pentagon, the White House and other tourist attractions in the downtown core.

 

DCA is only a 10 minute drive from Downtown Washington and it is only about a 20 minute ride away on the Metro! If you are in town for a Washington Capitals, Washington Nationals or especially a Washington Redskins game be sure to give yourself some additional time before the game, traffic around any major airport can be unpredictable and you don’t want to be late! 

 

One thing to keep in mind however is that due to DCA’s short runway size they are only able to offer domestic flights along with select flights to and from Canada and the Caribbean. 

 

Below are your best available options for how to get to Downtown Washington from DCA so you can

start your sports getaway!

 

  • The Metro: DCA is easily accessible via its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines. Taking the Metro it would take you about 25 minutes to get to downtown D.C. from DCA and it is very affordable. Your fare is calculated by how many stops you travel and rates vary during peak and off-peak hours. During peak hours, most fares range from $2.25 to $6 per trip while off-peak hours fares typically range from $1.85 to $3.85. The Metrorail station at DCA is connected to the concourse level of Terminals B and C.
    • Metro riders must pay via SmartTrip card. These are rechargeable fare cards that can be purchased by cash or credit at any Metro station or in advance on wmata.com. 

 

  • Taxi: Taking a cab from DCA to your hotel in downtown Washington may always be your most convenient option and paying approximately $15 to $20 USD for a 10 minute drive the price definitely isn’t outrageous. One thing to keep in mind is that your fare and time spent in the taxi will vary greatly based on traffic conditions as rates aren’t fixed, they are determined via the meter. A DCA Taxi Dispatcher can be found at designated taxi stands to help place you with a taxi. From Terminal A, exit at baggage claim and turn right. From Terminals B and C, proceed to level one of baggage claim lower level and exit at Door 5.
  • Rental Car: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to secure a rental car for you before your trip! DCA offers a number of different rental car companies, including Enterprise, Hertz and Avis. Cost of your rental car will vary on the length of your trip and your car selection. Rental car counters are located on the first floor of Terminal Garage A. 

 

  • Private Car Service: If a private car is picking you up at DCA then it will do so from one of two locations. Either at the third curb outside of Terminal A or on the inner curb outside of Terminal B and C.

 

  • Ride Sharing: Apps such as Uber and Lyft are available at DCA and they are good options to choose to get to and from the airport easily and without much preparation, similar to a taxi. Also similar to a taxi, your time spent in your Uber or Lyft and your trip cost will vary greatly based on traffic conditions and whether or not you are booking during a peak rate. Green flags located outside on the terminal curb designate the appropriate pick-up loading zones.
    • Terminal A: Customers can meet their ride on the third (outer) curb. 
    • Terminal B/C: Customers can meet their ride on the Ticketing/Check-In Level (3rd floor). 

 

  • Shuttle Buses: Remember to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to see if your hotel offers an airport shuttle! Airport shuttles can be coordinated by providing your hotel with your flight information. Hotel shuttles and charter buses are able pick up customers from the following locations at the airport:
    • Terminal A: Customers can meet their shuttle bus (excluding charter buses) on the middle curb.
    • Terminal B/C: Customers can meet their shuttle bus (including hotel shuttles and charter buses) on the Ticketing/Upper level. 

 

For getting to Downtown Washington from DCA we recommend taking the Metro. Washington has a fantastic Metro system and it is very commonly used by locals. This ever-reliable option is your most economically friendly choice and the ride is a consistent 25 minutes, meaning that you never have to worry about any traffic.

 

How to get to and from IAD

 

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is an international airport in the eastern United States, located in Loudoun and Fairfax counties in Virginia, 26 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C. If you are staying in western Virginia suburbs then IAD would be your best option to fly into. IAD is also the primary international airport for the DC region, so if you are flying internationally into Washington you will be landing here. 

 

Flying into IAD is generally cheaper than flying into DCA but it is over a 30 minute drive without traffic to get to Downtown Washington from here, so keep that in mind while you are planning your trip. If you are flying in for a Washington Capitals, Washington Nationals or especially a Washington Redskins game be sure to give yourself some additional time before the game, traffic around any major airport can be unpredictable and you don’t want to be late! 

 

Below are your best available options for how to get to Downtown Washington from IAD so you can

start your sports getaway!

 

  • Metro: IAD offers a Silver Line Express bus that runs direct service to the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station on Metrotrail's Silver Line.  This option is convenient and economical, taking only about 15 minutes and costing $5.00 USD (cash or credit only, SmartTrip cards are not accepted). You can purchase your tickets at the counter located inside Arrival Door 4 in the Terminal. Buses run every 15 minutes during peak times and 20 minutes during off-peak times.
    • IAD is scheduled to be fully accessible by Metro when the extension of the Silver Line is complete. This project is expected to be complete sometime during 2020.
  • Taxi: Taking a cab from IAD to your hotel in downtown Washington is always a convenient option and the 30 minute drive without traffic isn’t horrible. But one thing to keep in mind is that your fare and time spent in the taxi will vary greatly based on traffic conditions. Washington Flyer Taxicabs service IAD exclusively with 24-hour service to and from the Airport. Follow the signs for Ground Transportation or Taxi to the lower level of the Terminal and head down the ramp to Door 2 or Door 6. A customer service representative is available 24/7 to assist in getting you a cab. You can expect a cab to be over $70.00 USD.
  • Rental Car: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to secure a rental car for you before your trip! IAD offers a number of different rental car companies, including Enterprise, Hertz and Avis. Cost of your rental car will vary depending on the length of your trip and your car selection. From the Terminal Baggage Claim Level, exit down the ramp to Door 2 and 4. Rental car shuttle buses pick up at Curb 2C or Curb 2D to bring guests to the rental car facility. 

 

  • Private Car Service: Private vehicle pick-up at IAD is located outside the Main Terminal on the Arrivals Level.

 

  • Ride Sharing: Apps such as Uber and Lyft are available at IAD and they are good options to choose to get to and from the airport easily and without much preparation, similar to a taxi. Also similar to a taxi, your time spent in your Uber or Lyft and your trip cost will vary greatly based on traffic conditions and whether or not you are booking during a peak rate. Customers can meet their ride outside the Main Terminal on the Arrivals Level. 

 

  • Shuttle Buses: Remember to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to see if your hotel offers an airport shuttle! Airport shuttles can be coordinated by providing your hotel with your flight information. You can meet your shuttle bus on the Ground Transportation level.

 

For getting to Downtown Washington from IAD we recommend taking the Silver Line Express bus to the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station and taking the Metro from there. Although IAD offers a dedicated access road that makes getting to and from the airport efficient via car, taxi or airport shuttle, the traffic can be unpredictable and your $70.00 USD, 30 minute drive can very quickly increase in both price and time. Until the extension of the Silver Line is complete, taking this 15 minute connecting bus to the Metrorail station is by far your best bet to get to Downtown Washington from IAD.

 

How to get to and from BWI

 

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is an airport south of Baltimore and is about a 45 minute from downtown Washington, D.C. In most scenarios, we do not recommend flying into BWI if you are staying in downtown Washington. Although flights can be cheaper and the airport is usually less busy than Washington’s other major airports, the convenience is just not there. 

 

If you find a good enough flight deal and you decide to fly into BWI be sure to give yourself a lot of time before your Washington Capitals, Washington Nationals or Washington Redskins game! There are a number of transportation options that will get you to your hotel downtown, but it will take some time to get there.

 

Below are your best available options for how to get to Downtown Washington from BWI so you can

start your sports getaway!

 

  • MARC/Amtrak: A MARC (Maryland Rail Commuter Service)/Amtrak train station is close to the airport providing quick and efficient train service to D.C.'s Union Station. BWI even offers a free shuttle service to this station all day every day, running every 10 minutes during peak times and every 25 minutes between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. The shuttles at BWI pick up on the lower level right outside of baggage claim at four clearly designated stops bringing you to the rail station garage, directly across from the rail station. 
    • The Amtrak Train from BWI to Washington's Union Station takes less than 30 minutes and costs around $17.00 USD.
    • The regional MARC from BWI to D.C.'s Union Station costs only $7.00 and takes around 35 minutes.

 

  • Taxi: The taxi stands at BWI can be found  just outside of the baggage claim area on the Lower Level of the BWI Marshall Airport terminal, near doors 5 and 13. Cabs at BWI are actually prohibited from charging flat rates and a drive to downtown Washington without traffic will run you about $100 USD. 
  • Rental Car: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to secure a rental car for you before your trip! Cost of your rental car will vary on the length of your trip and your car selection. BWI runs a free shuttle service to their rental car facility, ten minutes from the airport. You can catch the shuttle from the lower level terminal. Available companies include Budget, Enterprise, National and more.
  • Private Car Service: Multiple private car companies service BWI. Pick up location and cost would vary depending. 
  • Ride Sharing: Apps such as Uber and Lyft are available at BWI and they are good options to choose to get to and from the airport easily and without much preparation, similar to a taxi. Also similar to a taxi, your time spent in your Uber or Lyft and your trip cost will vary greatly based on traffic conditions and whether or not you are booking during a peak rate. These app-based ride services pick up and drop off passengers at the terminal curbs on the Upper Level/Departures.
  • Shuttle Buses: Remember to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to see if your hotel offers an airport shuttle! Airport shuttles can be coordinated by providing your hotel with your flight information. If you are staying in downtown Washington, the chances of a free shuttle from BWI are unlikely. Hotel and off-airport parking shuttles can pick up passengers from designated zones only. Zones 1 and 3 are assigned for hotel shuttles. Zone 2 is designated for off-airport parking shuttles. Zone 4 will be used by both hotels and off-airport parking companies.
     
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA): There is an express bus service between BWI and the Greenbelt Metro Station. This BWI Express/B30 runs hourly from two WMATA stops at BWI. One is located on the lower level of the International Concourse and the other stop is located on the lower level of Concourse A/B, easily found by following the signs that say "Public Transit." This trip costs around $7.00 USD and takes 70 minutes to get you to the Greenbelt Metro Station which is another 30+ minute Metro ride away from Union Station in downtown Washington.

Although you can drive between BWI and D.C. relatively easily, the rush-hour traffic is too unpredictable and the risk of running a taxi bill past $100.00 USD to start your trip is not ideal. If you do decide to fly into BWI, we recommend taking the MARC/Amtrak to Union Station. That is your best bet to get to downtown D.C. as quickly and easily as possible.

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