The clock is ticking and Christmas is almost here! But you don’t need to battle traffic and crows at Tyson’s Corner to check off everybody on your Christmas List!  Here are five must-visit markets and neighborhoods with everything from high-end ships to crafts and artwork to visit first.

1. Eastern Market

Photo by or AgnosticPreachersKid

Every weekend the streets around Eastern Market are packed with local vendors.  Crafts, food, art, and even Christmas Trees can be found in and around the historic market.  Saturdays 7am-6pm and Sundays 9am-5pm Eastern Market turns into one of the best places in the entire district to march through your Christmas list.  In addition to the market, find great local brick-and-mortar shops on 7th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.  Get to Eastern Market on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines.

2. Downtown Holiday Market, and Downtown DC

Photo by Elvert Barnes

Throughout the Holiday season the Downtown Holiday Market features area vendors, crafts, art, and music from noon to 8pm daily.  The market is centered at F and 8th street, stretching about a block in each direction along F.  Vendor tents are packed in along the sidewalk, offering a vast array of options sure to satisfy everybody on your list!  Downtown DC also feature several chain and local shops, and it is a short walk to take in the National Christmas Tree nearby.  Take the Yellow or Green line to Gallery Place, or walk a few short blocks from Metro Center on the Orange, Blue, Silver, or Red lines.

3. Christkindlemarket, and Dupont Circle

Photo by Peter Fitzgerald

Dupont Circle is home to many great local shops.  If you’re looking for anything from books to clothing to homeware and knick-knacks you can find something unique in Dupont Circle.  Added to the wide array of permanent fixtures, the Christkindlemarket features local vendors the first weekend in December, with minimarkets each Friday through December.  Visit via the Red Line.

4. Georgetown

Photo by Roger W

Stroll Georgetown and find some of the greatest shopping opportunities in DC.  Many unique boutiques, fashion, and food are all plentiful along M street, and up Wisconsin Ave.  In addition to local shops you’ll find many of the familiar big names in clothing and shopping to round out your Christmas shopping.  There is no metro nearby, but you can cross walk across the Key bridge from Rosslyn (Orange, Silver, and Blue) or take many bus lines in.

5. U and 14th streets

Photo by Ted Eytan

The U and 14 street corridors feature yet another set of unique DC stores an shops worth of your shopping list.  Often know for its food and entertainment, U and 14th streets also offer plenty of places to find clothing, home goods, and much, much more.

6. The Wharf

Photo by Ron Cogswell

Phase one of the Wharf recently opened and it’s home to new shops.  This may be the right excuse to visit and check out the beautiful views and chip away at that list.  While still new, several fine shops are open for business.  Use the Waterfront (Green Line) or L’Enfant (Green, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Silver) stations.

The post 6 DC Markets and Neighborhoods to get through your Christmas List appeared first on DC Transit Guide.

Washington DC offers some of the greatest monuments, memorials, museums, and famous buildings that America has to offer. If you’re visiting the nation’s capital, chances are pretty good that you’re looking forward to take it all in. While DC’s roads can become congested, the extensive Metro system can be a great way to get around!

We’ve compiled a list of ten stops that you’ll want to visit to take in all that DC has to offer.

1. Smithsonian

(Orange, Blue, and Silver lines)

Many of the metro stations on this list put you in close proximity to Washington DC’s monuments, but none quite as impressively as Smithsonian Station. Take the northern exit and you will be presented with a breathtaking view of the US Capitol Building and the Washington Monument as you exit directly onto the National Mall.

In addition to the views, this station gives you great access to many of the museums and galleries run by the Smithsonian Institution, including the Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, National Museum of African Art, and Smithsonian Institute Building (The Castle). Cross the mall for for more nearby options including the National Museum of American History and National Museum of Natural History.

2. Federal Triangle

(Orange, Blue, and Silver lines)

Located at the Reagan Building, and across the street from the Old Post Office Pavilion, the area around the Federal Triangle Station’s surroundings are impressive immediately. The real value in this station, however, is it’s proximity with the north side of the National Mall. Located a block from the National Mall, this station is the closest to the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History, both of which are free museums, and part of the Smithsonian Institution. The station is also a short walk from The Ellipse, a large park located immediately south of the White House.

3. Gallery Place / Chinatown

(Red, Green, and Yellow lines)

Located near the heart of downtown Washington DC’s Penn Quarter, Gallery Place Station provides access to some of the area’s best restaurants, as well as Capital One Arena (home of the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), and Washington Capitals (NHL)). Be sure to make the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum part of your visit, located just across 7th street from this station.

4. Federal Center

(Orange, Blue, and Silver lines)

With Federal Center Station, we’re back to the National Mall. This station, located near the east end of the Mall, is a short distance from the National Air and Space Museum, the United States Botanic Garden and the US Capitol Building. The area is also filled with federal office buildings. While closer to other stations, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and National Gallery of Art are nearby as well. Capitol South Station and Union Station, both of which did not make this list, are within close proximity of the Capitol Building (and the Supreme Court) as well.

5. McPherson Square

(Orange, Blue, and Silver lines)

Few people think of Washington DC without images of the residence of the President of the United States of America at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The White House is as iconic as any other DC landmark, and McPherson Square Station is the easiest way to get a glimpse of this national icon. The Ellipse park, just south of the White House is also near by, and a short walk further once again brings you to the National Mall, near the Washington Monument and the Constitution Gardens.

It’s worth noting that Farragut West Station is also very close to the White House, and Red Line riders may in fact find the slightly longer walk form Farragut North Station most convenient.

6. Archives

(Green and Yellow lines)

Located near the National Archives (home of the Constitution of the United States), Archives Station is conveniently located in Penn Quarter just a couple blocks from the National Mall, and the National Museum of Natural History and National Gallery of Art. It is very easy to get to many downtown DC attractions, including restaurants, and several independent museums, such as the International Spy Museum, the Crime and Punishment Museum, and the Newseum.

7. Arlington National Cemetery

(Blue line)

Located across the Potomac River from Washington DC, the Arlington Cemetery Station places you at the gates of the grounds of the nation’s most famous military cemetery. In addition to honoring those buried in the cemetery, the grounds include the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington House (former home of Robert E. Lee), and several memorials. You can also walk to the nearby Iwo Jima Memorial, the war memorial commemorating the Marine Corps, and the Netherlands Carillon.

8. Foggy Bottom

(Orange, Blue, and Silver lines)

Located on the campus of George Washington University, Foggy Bottom Station is the closest to the Lincoln Memorial, and other attractions on the west end of the National Mall (though it is still nearly a mile away). If you are planning to catch a show at the Kennedy Center, this station provides a free shuttle.

9. Woodley Park / Zoo

(Red line)

Aside from Arlington Cemetery Station, Woodley Park Station is the only station on our list that isn’t in the heart of downtown Washington DC, and the National Mall. That’s because most of the attractions you’re visiting DC to see are located in a fairly concentrated, but there’s one location we think that you need to consider. Run by the Smithsonian Institution, a trip to the National Zoo can make for a great event. The zoo, located in Rock Creek Park, is free, and can be tons of fun for young and old alike.

10. L’Enfant Plaza

(Orange, Blue, Silver, Green, and Yellow lines)

The final station on our list is again near the National Mall, and is closest to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. But L’Enfant Station is also on the list because it is, along with the Smithsonian Station, one of the easiest places from which to get to the Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. While it’s still a bit of a hike, the memorials are beautifully nestled on the Tidal Basin. If you’re up for a fairly long walk, we suggest talking around the basin and visiting each of the memorials on its shores.

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Tip 1: Stand to the Right

During weekday mornings, Metro’s main use is for commuters who are late for work. During the late afternoon, the system becomes crowded with riders eager to get home after a long days work. Many of your fellow travelers, during these times, are in a rush to get from point A to point B, and standing on an escalator is just too darn slow.

To accommodate the daily migration of riders anxious to get through the system, an unwritten, but well known rule has emerged: stand on the right, walk on the left. Metro’s escalators are wide enough for two lanes of traffic, and in DC, locals know that the left side is for moving traffic, and steady flow. Many riders’ biggest pet peeve is the group of tourists, large of small, who are innocently ignorant of this essential law of the land.

While you aren’t likely to get honked at or see rude gestures, as you may on the Capitol Beltway, the natives are likely to feel their skin crawl if their way is obstructed. If you are visiting Washington DC and riding on the Metro, you can make everybody’s day a little bit brighter by following Tip 1, and standing to the right, leaving the left lane for those who wish to hike up Metro’s endless escalators.

Tip 2: Know when to ride

If you are riding Metro to catch a plane or make an important appointment at work, your options for when to ride may be limited. If you have a little bit more leisure, however, some planning can be helpful in making your experience as pleasant as possible. There are several factors to take into account, such as cost of the trip, when the train will be arriving at your station, and how packed the train cars are likely to be.

Metro charges two different rates for any given trip, depending on the time of day. “Peak Fares” are charged on weekdays from opening to 9:30am, from 3:00-7:00pm, and on weekends from midnight until closing, and range from $2.25 to $6.00. All other times a lower rate is charged, ranging from$2.00 to $3.85.

Metro trains do not typically follow a fixed schedule.  In general expect:

• A train every 4-8 minutes on each line during peak hours
• A train every 8-12 minutes on each line midday and evenings on weekdays
• A train every 12-20 minutes on each line weekends

WMATA posts additional scheduling details here.

Tip 3: Know where your train is

It would be nice if a train were always at the station waiting for you to arrive, but this is rarely the case. During nights and weekends, and especially during construction or track maintenance, trains can run over 20 minutes apart. To avoid the wait at the station, it can be useful to use tools, such as WMATA’s “next arrival” or their live train map to see when trains will be arriving in real time. Timing your trip to the station can give you more time to relax, or get in those last few minutes of work before leaving the office.

Tip 4: Find a seat near the front

During the busiest commuting hours and busy events in Washington DC, such as the 4th of July, Metro can become absolutely packed, with almost no hope of finding a seat or a comfortable place to stand. Most of the time, however, you can find a place to sit, even on a train that looks pretty full.

Most people wait for the train somewhere around the middle of the station platform. This is convenient, but unfortunately that tends to be the same strategy that everybody used at previous stations as well, and cars near the center of the train will generally be the most crowed. You can often give yourself a more comfortable ride by walking to the end of the platform and getting one of the first couple cars.

Once you get to a platform, take a second to figure out which direction you need to go, and which way the train will be moving. Where two tracks run side by side, trains typically act like cars on the road, running in the right lane. If you have a few minutes to leisurely walk to the front of the train, you will likely find a much less packed car, and, except for the busiest of hours, a free seat.

Tip 5: Just catch the next one

Sometimes a train comes by is absolutely packed. You roll your eyes and consider how best to squeeze yourself in. Even though you walked to the front of the train, space is at a premium, and you just don’t feel like dealing with so many people. Sometimes this is inevitable and unavoidable; there is a big event going on, or trains are spread too far apart.

On some occasions, however, you look up at the board and see that the next train is only 2 minutes away! It might just be worth the wait, for the chance that this next train will have some empty space. Your prospects will vary considerable depending on the cause of the crowd, but it often doesn’t hurt to take the extra time to check.

Tip 6: Take your bike

Much of the Washington DC Metro area is biker friendly, and Metro is no exception. If you ventured a little bit too far, ran into a summer storm, or just want to cover a little bit more ground, this can be an excellent option.

Bikes are not allowed during Metro’s busiest hours. This includes weekdays from 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m., as well as the 4th of July and other particularly busy occasions. You are also asked to limit bicycles to four per car, and enter cars using the first and last door of each car.

Tip 7: Study the maps

Knowing where you are going ahead of time is always a good idea, and riding Metro is no exception. Know where you are starting, where you are exiting, and what lines and transfers you’ll need before you start your trip. Most directional labels in the Metro system refer to the last station on a line in a given direction. If you are planning to ride the Orange Line, Blue Line, or Silver Line from Rosslyn Station to Smithsonian Station, for example, you are headed in the direction of New Carrollton Station (the eastern most station of the Orange Line) and Largo Town Center Station (the eastern most station of the Blue and Silver Lines).

The traditional metro map is a depiction of relative location, but it does not always show accurate distances. While it probably will not change your travel route, it is worth considering if you are trying to get a sense of how long a trip will take. Often, stations around the National Mall have more separation others in the nearby DC area, but this is not apparent by looking at the DC Metro map.

Tip 8: Keep it clean

The Washington DC Metro system is cleaner than many subway systems due to the WMATA’s policies and responsible riders. Let’s keep it clean! You may have food or drinks with you on your trip, but there is no eating or drinking allowed on the trains or in the stations. Also, please do not leave trash or papers lying around metro cars. These do get cleaned up at the end of the day, but it is unfortunate to see cars collect unnecessary garbage throughout the day.

Tip 9: Watch those doors

You may hear the warning while standing in a station waiting for your train, telling you that Metro car doors do not operate like the elevator doors you may be used to. They do not re-open when they are blocked, and when they close, they close fairly hard. Take the warning bells seriously and get yourself and your bags away from the doors. The train will not move with a jammed door, but it will not be a pleasant experience either.

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Understanding the DC Metro map is important for navigating the system successfully.  The map can take many forms, both stylized, and to scale.  Native mapping apps on your cell phone will usually also include stations and help you to determine routes.  However, a good understanding of the paper maps you’ll find in each train car and at stations throughout the area will make any trip go more smoothly.

1. The WMATA stylized system map

WMATA map. Full size PDF

This is the classic map is found throughout the Metro system.  Click here for the full pdf version from WMATA.com.  It depicts the six metro lines, parks, attractions, major roads and boundaries.  Items are not drawn to scale.  This is especially noticeable for stations further from downtown DC, where stations can be a mile or more apart!

Major transfer points are denoted by two concentric circles.  Note that in sections the orange, silver, and blue lines run on the same track, as do the green and yellow lines.  Transfer is possible at any of these locations, however only the first and last shared stations are indicated as transfer points on this map.

2. WMATA’s interactive online system map

WMATA online map

Another map from WMATA is this online interactive version (find it here and click “Rail”).  Since you’ll be viewing this online you can zoom in on specific stations and click for more detail, including station information and alerts.  This map shows accurate location and scale, so it can be a great way to identify attractions and plan your trip.  Note that you may not always have internet connectivity in tunnels during your ride, so it’s best not to be familiar with the stylized paper version as well!

3. WMATA’s live train map

WMATA live train map.

Similar to the previous map, this offering shows current train locations.  Click on stations to see “next train” information.  While this doesn’t have quick links to get additional station details, it’s a great way to visualize how long you may be waiting before, which could save you a few minutes in the station (or could encourage you to hurry on up!).

4. Other stylized maps

Here’s another example of a system map.  This one isn’t to scale, but provides another nice visualization of the general system.

See the map full size here.

5. Google maps, transit mode

Google maps allows you to see DC’s metro transit lines natively if you use transit mode.  The program’s directions include both Metro and bus schedules and routes, making it extremely handy when comparing different transportation modes!

The post Metro maps appeared first on DC Transit Guide.

Hours

Metro trains do not typically follow a fixed schedule; In general expect:

• A train every 4-8 minutes on each line during peak hours
• A train every 8-12 minutes on each line midday and evenings on weekdays
• A train every 12-20 minutes on each line weekends

Pay attention to advisories which may impact service.  These are posted online and are announced throughout stations.

Some holidays have different hours.  Expect additional hours on Independence day, and limited weekend hours Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Fees

Metro fares are higher during peak times, on weekdays from opening to 9:30 am, and 3pm to 7pm, as well as weekends from midnight to closing.

For exact fares use WMATA’s TripPlanner or see fare tables for a specific station.

Photo by flickr user Mr.TinDC

SmarTrip

Fares are paid using a reusable SmarTrip card.  These can be purchased at stations from kiosks, which are also used to recharge SmarTrip cards.  SmarTrip cards use RFID, and can be “touched” to sensors at station fare gates, on busses, or on fare kiosks to scan the card and pay.  On the DC Metro system, scan the same SmarTrip card when you both enter and exist the system to complete a trip.

SmarTrip cards work on many local bus systems, including MetroBus.  They are also used to pay for parking at Metro station parking facilities.  (More about parking from WMATA here)

Policies

• It is unlawful to eat, drink, or smoke on the Metro system.
• With the exception of service animals, pets are only allowed on Metro if they are in a secured container from which they cannot escape.
• Bicycles are also allowed on Metro, except during rush hours of 7-10 am and 4-7 pm on weekdays, and the 4th of July or during other special events with large crowds. Bicycle riders must use elevators, and should use the end doors (as opposed to the center doors) of any cars. Up to two bicycles are allowed in each car on weekdays, and up to 4 on weekends. (See the full bike policy here)

Links

• Rail service information from WMATA
• Timetables and schedule from WMATA
• WMATA’s TripPlan
• WMATA Station Directory
• WMATA Metro facility parking information
• WMATA Rules and Manners guide

The post Metro hours, fees, and other information appeared first on DC Transit Guide.

Nothing is more iconic than than Washington DC’s monuments and memorials.  From the towering Washington Monument to Lincoln seated looking over the reflecting pool, DC’s National Mall is a treasure.  Memorials and monuments celebrating some of America’s greatest icons and honoring those who served and sacrificed in its wars are spread across the park.  If you get a chance, visiting at night can be a great experience when the monuments are beautifully lit.

The National Mall is administered by the National Park Service.  Stretching two miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol Building, you can easily get to the National Mall from several downtown DC Metro stops.  (See our article on 10 Popular Metro Stops).

This map shows the nine monuments and memorials described in the article below:

Click for full size

1. The Lincoln Memorial

Perhaps best known as the backdrop for the famous 1963 “I have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., the Lincoln Memorial is located at the far west of the National Mall just near the bank of the Potomac River.  Lincoln looks out over the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument.

The memorial remembers Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. Quotes and murals on the interior walls of the memorial represent Lincoln’s efforts to end slavery as he led the nation through the Civil War.  The lower level of the memorial contains an exhibit, store, and restrooms.

2. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Photo by Hu Totya

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located on Washington DC’s National Mall, honors and remembers the service members of the US military who fought in the Vietnam War between 1955 and 1975. The lengthy conflict caused much disagreement at home and cost the United States the painful loss of over 58,000 deaths. The memorial’s three components are the Memorial Wall, the Three Soldiers, and the Women’s Memorial.  They remember those lost, those who served, and the role of women in the war.

3. The World War II Memorial

The National World War II Memorial is located just west of the Washington Monument, overlooking the Reflecting Pool. It represents the sacrifices made during the second world war, with pillars representing the US states, the District of Columbia, and the Territories of the US as of 1945.

4. The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is an iconic US landmark located on the National Mall. The monument pays tribute to the first President of the United States, George Washington. At just over 555′ tall, it is the world’s tallest obelisk and tallest stone structure. The monument is located on the Mall between many key Washington DC structures, located roughly halfway between the Lincoln Memorial and US Capitol Building to the west and east, and the White House and Jefferson Memorial to the North and South.

The structure includes a viewing area near the monument’s top (currently closed for elevator renovations).

5. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The Jefferson Memorial is a tribute to Thomas Jefferson, a founding father of the United States and the nation’s third president. Directly south of the White House, and nearly in line with the Washington Monument, the memorial makes up the end of one axis defining the National Mall. The Tidal Basin area is planted with many Cherry Trees which blossom in dazzling fashion each spring, creating a centerpiece for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Inside the monument, a bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson gazes across the Tidal Basin at the White House. The building housing the statue was influenced in design by Roman Pantheon, and its domed interior is lined by many quotations from Jefferson. The serene atmosphere, beautiful location, and grandiose space creates a larger-than-life remembrance for the former patriot and president.

6. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Photo by Matt Wade

Located on the south-west edge of the tidal basin, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is a path through the presidency of FDR. The memorial is a pathway spread over 7.5 acres with sections for each of the president’s terms in office. Unlike most DC memorials with a distinctive centerpiece, the path is long and varied, much like FDR’s time in office.

Walls, statues, and water features depict the president’s time in office, during the Great Depression, through the beginning of World War II. Distinct sections of the era are presented, from a bread line depicting the depression when FDR took office, his fireside chats, the implementation of his “New Deal”, and quotes on his attitude about the war and the nation throughout his tenure.

7. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Photo by Ron Cogswell

In August, 2011, one of the most influential civil rights leader in history of the United States found his place on the National Mall, alongside the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial remembers a man who faced the frustration of racial discrimination with patience and determination needed to help turn the nation around.

8. The DC War Memorial

Photo by Tim Evanson

The DC War Memorial, nestled in a small grove of trees across from the MLK Memorial, commemorates the DC residents who fought and served in World War I.  While the National Mall has no national monument to the first world war, this monument is a simple but powerful reminder of those who fought in The Great War.

9. The Korean War Veterans Memorial

Photo by Jennifer

The Korean War Veterans Memorial respects those who fought in the Korean War. It is located south of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Reflecting Pool, off of Independence Ave.

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The Smithsonian Institute operates 12 museums and galleries on the National Mall, as well as many other facilities in the area.  Museums are free to visit, and most are open 10am-5:30pm all days except December 25.  Several metro stations on all lines get you close to the museums, including Smithsonian, Federial Triangle, and L’Enfant.  See 10 Metro stops for popular DC attractions for more station information.

1. National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photo by Tony Hisgett

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the newest addition to the Smithsonian Institute’s National Mall museums.  The museum views the history of America through the lens of African Americans, from the realities of slavery through to contemporary culture.

2. National Museum of American History

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History oversees the institutes collection of items with cultural, political, and historical significance in the history of the United States. Visitors will learn about the events and cultures that have shaped the nation, including military conflicts, political and social events, and scientific discovery.  Exhibits include the First Ladies dresses, the original Star-Spangled Banner, and much more.

3. National Museum of Natural History

The Natural Museum of Natural History features exhibits showcasing the natural world, including flora and fauna to minerals and geological history.  Find everything from real dinosaur bones to a butterfly exhibit to the Hope Diamond.

4. National Museum of the American Indian

The Smithsonian Institution’s National National Museum of the American Indian is dedicated to the history and culture of the native peoples of the Americas, including all of the Western Hemisphere. The museum’s facility on the National Mall houses the Smithsonian Institution’s collection of Native American artifacts, hosts events and festivals, and teaches visitors about the diverse native cultures.

5. National Air and Space Museum

6. Hirshhorn Museum

7. Arts and Industries Center

The Arts and Industries building is closed for renovation.  It occasionally hosts special events.

8. National Museum of African Art

9. Smithsonian Castle

10. The S. Dillon Ripley Center

11. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

12. Freer Gallery of Art

The post Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall appeared first on DC Transit Guide.

Photo by Ted Eytan

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest international airport to downtown Washington DC.  It is located just three miles south of downtown, just across the Potomac River in Arlington VA.  Locals often refer to the airport as “Reagan”, “National”, or it’s code “DCA”.  Be careful to double check your itinerary so as not to confuse this airport with the larger Dulles International (IAD) located several miles away into suburban Virginia.  The airports are not close to each other, so a mistake could result in a missed flight.

Flights traveling to or from DCA are typically restricted to short distance flights, within 1250 miles (though there are exceptions for a few cross-country flights each day), which means that direct flights cross-country or internationally from the airport are limited.

For flight information, travel, parking and more, see the airport’s official site.

Getting to DCA

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is easy to get to from Washington DC. Public transportation provides easy access to Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland, and close proximity to downtown DC makes taxi and shuttle service inexpensive and convenient.

Metro

DCA is directly serviced by Metro’s blue and yellow lines. From the airport, taking the blue line in the direction of Largo Town Center will take you through several downtown DC locations. Similarly, the yellow line toward Fort Totten or Greenbelt travels through the district. Both lines offer stops on and near the National Mall. The airport’s metro station is located across from the second level of terminals B and C.

Metrobus

Two MetroBus routes stop at DCA: 13F and 13G. These routes provide transportation to locations in Arlington and Washington DC, including the Pentagon, Federal Triangle, and the Smithsonian metro stations. Buses stop near terminal B.

Taxi and Shuttle

Taxi stands are located outside of all airport terminals, and can be a convenient way to get to your final destination. With only a 5 mile trip to downtown DC, trips are not likely to exceed the $20 range. Additionally, many area hotels will offer shuttle service (contact your hotel for specifics about their amenities).

Inside the Airport

DCA has three terminals. Terminals B and C are located in the main portion of the airport with three floors. Passenger drop-off, ticketing and check-in are on the third floor, the main concourse, gate access, and metrorail access are on the second floor, and baggage claim and ground transportation are on the first floor. Terminals B and C house gates 10-45, which are located beyond three checkpoints. Gates 10-22 are accessed through the southmost checkpoint (located in of Terminal B). Gates 23-34 can be found beyond a checkpoint between the two terminals. The security checkpoint for gates 35-45 are located to the far north of the airport in Terminal C.

Terminal A is found at the far south of the airport, with its own passenger drop off, ground transportation, ticketing, check-in, and baggage claim services. The walk between the Metrorail Station (near Terminals B and C) and Terminal A is nearly a quarter mile! Terminal A houses gates 1-9.

Each terminal has nearby hourly (for stays less than 2 hours), and daily parking lots, each with shuttle transportation to the airport terminals. The airport also has economy parking located nearby, and a cellphone lot for those waiting to pick up arriving passengers.

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Washington Dulles International Airport, located about 24 miles west of Washington DC, in northern Virginia, is one of the country’s busiest airports, and is the DC region’s largest. Unlike DC’s closest airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Dulles offers many international and long range domestic flights, in addition to a full array of regional flights.

Note that Dulles and Reagan National airports are not close to eachother.  Double check your itinerary and make sure you go to the right one!

For Dulles flight information see their official site.

Getting to IAD

While not directly accessible by Metro at this time, there are many public and private transportation methods available to travel between DC and the airport.

Washington Flyer – Silver Line Express

The Washington Flyer Silver Line Express offers another option for bus transportation to IAD. The Flyer offers a coach bus departing from Wiehle-Reston Metro Station at the end of the Silver Line every 15-20 min between 6:00am and 10:40pm weekdays, or 7:45am and 10:40pm weekends. Travel time is about 10 minutes, but may be longer if traffic is heavy The trip will cost $5, and tickets can be purchased near door 4 for the main terminal’s arrival level. Passengers traveling to Dulles can purchase tickets upon arrival.

If traveling to IAD, use the north bus garage, and follow signs for the Washington Flyer at Wiehle-Reston. After exiting the station, there is a traffic circle for all the buses. The Washington Flyer coach bus is located to the left as you leave the metro station. The bus is a large coach style bus that says Washington Flyer on the side. Representatives are available to help you with large bags. Payment is upon arrival at Dulles with your preferred payment method. If you are in a rush, cash can be the fastest.

Metrobus

The Metrobus route 5A provides a reliable way to travel to or from the Washington Dulles International Airport. The bus runs on an hourly schedule, and takes about 40 minutes to travel between L’Enfant Station or Rosslyn Station to the airport. If taking the bus, be sure to build some flexibility into your schedule to account for varying traffic conditions. The trip will cost $7.50 (Metrobus requires exact change or use of a SmarTrip card; find schedules here)

While the bus has some luggage space, it is not designed to carry lots of gear. During busy times it can be a popular and crowded option, so it may not be the best option if you are not traveling light. At Dulles, look for the 5A at location 2E in the ground transportation area.

Taxi and Shuttle

Taxi service can be the most convenient way to travel between Dulles and Washington DC. The trip will typically cost between $50 and $70 to get to DC from downtown.  Also consider group shuttle services or ride-share apps.  With enough passengers these options can be reasonable options.

Inside the Airport

IAD consists of a main terminal for all arriving and departing passengers. This terminal includes ticketing, security, access to the airport’s main transportation method, the AeroTrain, baggage claim, and ground transportation. After passing through security, passengers can travel to concourses A-D by AeroTrain or shuttle, or they can walk to A and B gates directly. Z gates are also located in the main terminal building. A and B gates are located in a single building, as are C and D gates.

AeroTrain stops are located near A, B, and C gates (D gates are accessible via the C gate stop). An above ground shuttle service can transport passengers between A and D gates, and D gates and the main terminal. Shuttle service from the main terminal is the only way to get to H gates. If you are flying out of D gates, the shuttle is likely to be the fastest. Otherwise, AeroTrain is probably most efficient.

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© 2009 James G. Howes

Located 30 miles north of Washington DC, Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport, or BWI, is the furthest of the area’s commercial airports. With destinations in North America and the caribbean, most traffic through BWI is domestic (with Dulles International Airport providing more international destinations). As a result of being a bit further from Washington DC, flights from BWI can be less expensive than the other area airports.  However, getting there from downtown comes at a cost.  It is worth taking both ticket price and convenience into account.

For BWI flight information and additional travel information see their official site.

Getting to BWI

There are numerous public and private transportation options for getting to BWI, but be sure to plan enough time for your trip; most methods will take at least an hour from downtown DC.

Metrobus

The MetroBus’s B30 route travels between the Greenbelt metro station (the last stop on Metro’s green line), and BWI. If taking the B30, make sure to leave plenty of time for travel to the airport. Getting to Greenbelt from downtown DC can take a while, especially with train transfers. The B30 will add an additional 30 to 40 minutes. Buses are scheduled to leave every 30 to 40 minutes during operating hours. The trip will cost $7.50 (Metrobus requires exact change or use of a SmarTrip card). Busses pick up from outside concourses A/B, and E, on the lower level; follow signs for “Public Transit” and B30.

MARC

Maryland’s MARC commuter train system travels between DC and BWI. For $7, the Penn Line offers service from Union Station to the airport, giving travelers direct access to DC’s Metro system. The BWI rail station has a regular shuttle between the train station and the airport.

MARC has frequent service on weekdays to handle normal commuter travel between Baltimore and DC.  Weekend service for the Penn Line is much less frequent, so be sure to look at time-tables and plan your trip ahead of time!

Amtrak

Amtrak offers service between DC’s Union Station, and BWI’s train station. Fares vary between about $14 and $40. While trains are more expensive and less frequent than MARC, they may be the best fit for your schedule. The BWI rail station has a regular shuttle between the train station and the airport.

Taxi and Shuttle

While expensive, taxi service can be the most convenient method for traveling between Washington DC and BWI. With the airport just over 30 miles from downtown DC, fares can reach $90+, and if traffic is bad the trip can be over an hour and a half. For larger groups, a taxi can be a competitively priced option, and it can be the only option when traveling outside of operating hours for the B30, MARC, and Amtrak schedules.  Of course, group shuttles and rideshare apps can fill the same need, and may offer a lower rate.  Shop around!

Inside the Airport

BWI consists of 5 concourses, A-E. Concourses A and B are connected inside security, while the others are not. Security checkpoints and gates are accessed on the airport’s upper level, while ground transportation, baggage claim, and arrivals can be found on the airport’s lower level. A lower level security checkpoint for gates A and B is also available, and often less crowded.

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