Getting Around, Washington DC Travel, Transport and Car Rental
(Washington, District of Columbia - DC, USA)
Washington, in the District of Columbia, is divided up into four main quadrants - NW, NE, SE and SW, connecting at the US Capitol area, which was the geographical center of Washington until
Virginia took back areas of land in 1846. North, South and East Capitol Streets, and also the National Mall to the West, radiate outwards from the Capitol area and serve as dividing lines.
Washington DC has organized, logically numbered streets that travel north and south on both sides of the Capitol area, intersected by lettered and named streets, which run east and west for about 50 square blocks. Generally, the higher the number, and the further into the alphabet the letter, the greater the distance from the Capitol area. However, this system can be confusing since there are often four streets with the same name, so it is always worth knowing which quadrant area you are heading for. The northwest area is by far the largest of the four Washington quadrants.
Airports / Arriving by Air
Washington is served by three airports, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), which is the largest and most important airport in this area.
Washington IAD Airports Guide
Ronald Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) Guide
Car Rental
The district of Washington DC is served by a number of major highways and these include the 270, the 66 and the Interstate 95, which travels the length of the east coast, from Miami to the Canadian border. Although the traffic in and out of Washington can be heavy, particularly during peak commuting hours (07:00 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 18:00), Washington's expressways allow you to travel quickly from one area to another. Washington DC may be well served by public transport, but many tourists prefer to rent cars and these are the best method of transport when traveling outside of the city to explore the surrounding countryside and nearby towns. There are plenty of parking garages and off-street parking areas available in Washington, although street parking can often be difficult to find.
By Foot
Washington is well pedestrianized and one of the best ways to travel around Washington is by foot. This is an excellent way to see some of Washington DC's numerous tourist attractions, museums, galleries and landmarks. If you have a map, finding your way around central Washington is very straightforward and many of the city's major sights and attractions are within easy walking distance of each other.
Buses
The Washington DC bus system is run by the Metro and covers the city well. Buses in Washington are heavily used by both locals and tourists alike and provide a particularly inexpensive way to travel in Washington DC. Cheaper Metro subway transfer tickets are available at machines inside the Metro stations, before you actually get on the train. Exact change is required when purchasing bus tickets and bus stops in Washington DC are clearly marked by three horizontal stripes in blue, red and white. 'Short Trip' or 'Fast Passes' are available and provide unlimited bus travel and can be particularly convenient when traveling in Washington.
The greater Washington DC area has several different bus systems in operation, serving regions in Virginia, such as Alexandria and Fairfax, and also counties in
Maryland, including Montgomery, Prince George's and Prince William Counties.
Metro
Washington's Metrorail subway system (more commonly known simply as 'The Metro') is a clean, safe, reliable, fast and inexpensive way to travel around Washington DC. Regular trains travel from 05:30 between Monday to Friday and from 08:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Washington' DCs Metro trains close at midnight between Sunday to Thursday and at 02:00 on Friday and Saturday, although the last Metro trains from the suburb areas of Washington may depart much earlier.
Trains
Washington DC's main train station is Union Station, where numerous trains travel throughout the day, operated by both Amtrak and Marc (the Maryland Rail Commuter Service). Amtrak trains connect Washington DC with cities throughout America and there are daily trains traveling to
New York, Boston and
Philadelphia, including Metroliner services, which allow advance seat reservations. Marc commuter trains travel from Washington DC to many areas of Maryland, including Baltimore, and also
West Virginia. Both Amtrak and Marc trains in Washington DC travel to the BWI Airport station, where regular courtesy airport shuttle buses travel to the nearby airport.
Taxis
Taxi cabs in Washington DC are one of the most convenient ways to travel around the Washington DC area and are usually very reasonably priced. They can be easily hailed from the sidewalk in Washington city center. Alternatively, in quieter areas of Washington, taxis can be ordered by telephone and there are a number of reputable taxi firms that your hotel can recommend. Additional taxi charges in Washington DC are often made for luggage, travel late at night, additional passengers and travel on public holidays.
Bicycles
Bicycles are a popular way to travel around recreational areas of Washington DC and in particular, along the Mall and in Downtown Washington, where the area is generally very flat. There are also numerous cycle trails and pathways throughout Washington's parks and around the city. There are a number of bicycle rental shops available in the Washington DC area.
- Google+
