Getting around · Washington, D.C. · United States
Getting around Washington, D.C.
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Central Washington is laid out on a grid crossed by diagonal avenues, and the Mall area is walkable, though distances are longer than they look. The Metrorail network's six colour-coded lines connect the Mall, most neighbourhoods, Arlington, Alexandria and two of the three airports; buses and bikes fill the gaps, such as Georgetown. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Metro
- Airports
- DCA, IAD, BWI
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Metro unlimited passes
Ways to get around
Metro
Metrorail fares vary by distance and time of day. Stations such as Smithsonian, Federal Triangle and L'Enfant Plaza serve the Mall, and Foggy Bottom is the closest station to Georgetown.
Add a SmarTrip card to your phone's wallet so you can tap through the faregates without queueing at machines.
Walking
The Mall is about 3 km from end to end and the monuments are spread out, so plan walking days in halves and wear comfortable shoes.
Bus
Metrobus covers areas the trains don't reach, including Georgetown and upper Northwest, and accepts the same SmarTrip card.
Cycling
Capital Bikeshare has hundreds of docks, including many around the Mall and Tidal Basin, plus e-bikes; riverside trails run along the Potomac towards Georgetown and Mount Vernon.
Boat
Seasonal water taxis on the Potomac link the Wharf with Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor.
Ride-hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to find and useful for Georgetown, late nights and the Udvar-Hazy Center.
Train
Union Station is the hub for Amtrak and MARC trains to Baltimore and the Northeast Corridor, and VRE commuter trains to northern Virginia.
Tickets and passes
Metro unlimited passes
1-day, 3-day and 7-day unlimited passes can be loaded onto a SmarTrip card or phone; they pay off if you ride several times a day.
From the airport
Reagan National (DCA) is on the Metro's Blue and Yellow lines, about 15–20 minutes from downtown. From Dulles (IAD), the Silver Line runs directly into the city in about 50–60 minutes. From BWI, MARC or Amtrak trains from the airport rail station reach Union Station in about 30–45 minutes.
Do you need a car?
No. Metro, buses and walking cover the city, and parking is expensive and scarce. A car is useful only for Shenandoah National Park, Harpers Ferry or Great Falls.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon | About 30–40 minutes by car | Car, or Metro to Huntington then a local bus; seasonal boats |
| Old Town Alexandria | About 20 minutes by Metro | Metro Blue or Yellow line to King St–Old Town, or water taxi from the Wharf |
| Baltimore | About 40–60 minutes by train | MARC Penn Line or Amtrak from Union Station |
| Annapolis | About 45 minutes by car | Car |
| Shenandoah National Park | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car to Front Royal | Car |
| Harpers Ferry | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car; limited commuter trains on weekdays |
| Great Falls Park | About 30 minutes by car | Car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Washington, D.C.?
No. Metro, buses and walking cover the city, and parking is expensive and scarce. A car is useful only for Shenandoah National Park, Harpers Ferry or Great Falls.
+How do you get from the airport to Washington, D.C.?
Reagan National (DCA) is on the Metro's Blue and Yellow lines, about 15–20 minutes from downtown. From Dulles (IAD), the Silver Line runs directly into the city in about 50–60 minutes. From BWI, MARC or Amtrak trains from the airport rail station reach Union Station in about 30–45 minutes.
+What is the best way to get around Washington, D.C.?
Metro: Metrorail fares vary by distance and time of day. Stations such as Smithsonian, Federal Triangle and L'Enfant Plaza serve the Mall, and Foggy Bottom is the closest station to Georgetown.