Getting Here
Situated more or less in the middle of the east coast, Washington is accessible by pretty much any mode of transport.
For visitors traveling to DC from within the US, Canada, or Mexico, Ronald Reagan National Airport (or "National Airport", as the locals who remember its original name still call it) is the most convenient option. In addition to the standard airport transportation services (cab, Super Shuttle, rental car facilities and bus), Reagan also boasts a Metro station, making it imminently easy (and inexpensive) to travel to and from there.
International flights (and certain airline carriers like JetBlue) come through Washington Dulles International Airport. It's farther away from the center of town, and there is no direct Metro service, but the aforementioned Super Shuttle runs to and from here, and there are several bus services from which to choose, including one operated by the Washington Flyer that travels to Dulles from West Falls Church Metro station.
Baltimore-Washington International Airport is the farthest of the three airports from the center of town; travelers willing to deal with the 30+ mile commute (via a number of options, including buses, trains, cabs, and car services) might get a slightly cheaper fare here than at the other two airports.
All three airports have the prerequisite coffee chains, souvenir stores and news agents; more substantial shopping or dining options, aside from Duty-Free, are pretty limited.
Amtrak and MARC trains run directly into Union Station, near the Capitol; Greyhound and Peter Pan share a bus terminal close by. Offshoots of these and other large bus companies (like Bolt Bus or Megabus) are generally cheap, clean and reliable; they pick up and drop off their passengers in or near the center of the city.
Finally, anyone up to the challenge of navigating the Capital Beltway (the Washington area's interstate highway, which intersects in the north and the south with I-95) will find several modes of entry into the city via car.
Once You've Arrived
Washington is surprisingly navigable. Divided into four quadrants (NW, NE, SW and SE), the city is planned on a grid (though perhaps not quite as straightforward as, say, New York's). For the most part, lettered streets run east to west, and numbered streets run north to south. The streets are crisscrossed by avenues, named after the country's 50 states. That said, you should certainly invest in a map to get your bearings and prepare yourself for some of the odd streets, alleys and parks that prove exceptions to the grid rule.
The Metro is a fantastic way to get to all of the city's major neighborhoods without the hassle of driving, parking, or spending too much money. WMATA (the overarching transit authority that includes Metrorail and Metrobuses) are generally very reliable. Cabs are plentiful, and meter-based (a recent change from the zoned system that caused many tourist confusion and frustration).
If driving is a necessity, it's easy to rent a car in DC from any of the major rental agencies - check their individual websites for more information about rates and location. Bear in mind, though, that parking in central Washington can be pricey.
Helpful links:
Getting Here
Situated more or less in the middle of the east coast, Washington is accessible by pretty much any mode of transport.
For visitors traveling to DC from within the US, Canada, or Mexico, Ronald Reagan National Airport (or "National Airport", as the locals who remember its original name still call it) is the most convenient option. In addition to the standard airport transportation services (cab, Super Shuttle, rental car facilities and bus), Reagan also boasts a Metro station, making it imminently easy (and inexpensive) to travel to and from there.
International flights (and certain airline carriers like JetBlue) come through Washington Dulles International Airport. It's farther away from the center of town, and there is no direct Metro service, but the aforementioned Super Shuttle runs to and from here, and there are several bus services from which to choose, including one operated by the Washington Flyer that travels to Dulles from West Falls Church Metro station.
Baltimore-Washington International Airport is the farthest of the three airports from the center of town; travelers willing to deal with the 30+ mile commute (via a number of options, including buses, trains, cabs, and car services) might get a slightly cheaper fare here than at the other two airports.
All three airports have the prerequisite coffee chains, souvenir stores and news agents; more substantial shopping or dining options, aside from Duty-Free, are pretty limited.
Amtrak and MARC trains run directly into Union Station, near the Capitol; Greyhound and Peter Pan share a bus terminal close by. Offshoots of these and other large bus companies (like Bolt Bus or Megabus) are generally cheap, clean and reliable; they pick up and drop off their passengers in or near the center of the city.
Finally, anyone up to the challenge of navigating the Capital Beltway (the Washington area's interstate highway, which intersects in the north and the south with I-95) will find several modes of entry into the city via car.
Once You've Arrived
Washington is surprisingly navigable. Divided into four quadrants (NW, NE, SW and SE), the city is planned on a grid (though perhaps not quite as straightforward as, say, New York's). For the most part, lettered streets run east to west, and numbered streets run north to south. The streets are crisscrossed by avenues, named after the country's 50 states. That said, you should certainly invest in a map to get your bearings and prepare yourself for some of the odd streets, alleys and parks that prove exceptions to the grid rule.
The Metro is a fantastic way to get to all of the city's major neighborhoods without the hassle of driving, parking, or spending too much money. WMATA (the overarching transit authority that includes Metrorail and Metrobuses) are generally very reliable. Cabs are plentiful, and meter-based (a recent change from the zoned system that caused many tourist confusion and frustration).
If driving is a necessity, it's easy to rent a car in DC from any of the major rental agencies - check their individual websites for more information about rates and location. Bear in mind, though, that parking in central Washington can be pricey.
Helpful links:
©
NileGuide
more transportation
wcities.com
Getting There: By Air:There are three major airports that service the Washington D.C. area:
1) Ronald Reagan National Airport (+1 703 417 8600 / href="
http://www.mwaa.com/national)
By far the closest and most convenient airport in the Washington area, Reagan is a mere stone throw from downtown, and is the only airport directly connected to the Metro system. Although in theory it is the airport for quick jaunts up and down the east coast, more and more cross country flights are showing up at the gates due to the location. Shopping ranges from upscale to newsstands selling magazines and Dramamine. Restaurant selections include almost-fine-dining, grub pubs, fast food fry pits and smoothie joints. ATMs abound, and Internet access is as simple as plugging in at a sit down phone booth.
2) Dulles International Airport (+1 703 417 8600 /
http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/)
Most international air traffic and a substantial chunk of the long haul domestic flights touch down and take off from the runways of this sprawling complex, which seems to be in a perpetual state of construction. Four satellite concourses connect with the main terminal via "mobile loungers" ( i.e. crowded gizmos with entrances and exits at both ends that resemble wide buses ).
3) Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) (+1 800 435 9294 /
http://www.bwiairport.com):
Seasoned travelers looking for deals always check bargain flights in out of this airport situated 30 miles north of D.C. The airport more than makes up for the distance issue with excellent transit options, along with the usual convenience factors like ATMs, data ports in all telephones, a business center, currency exchange centers, restaurants and bars and plenty of shopping outlets. An aviation museum and children's play area provide family delay diversions.
By Bus: Greyhound Buslines ( +1 800 231 2222 /
http://www.greyhound.com ) serves several states, parts of Canada and Mexico.
By Car: Numerous interstate highways flow into I-495 ( the Capital Beltway ), which is the major ring road around the district. I-95 stretches from Washington D.C. south all the way to Miami, Florida and north to the Canadian border in Maine, passing though New York City and Boston along the way. I-70 connects the city with the western United States, via I-270.
By Rail: Amtrak (+1 800 872 7245 /
http://www.amtrak.com) has both traditional chug-along and limited high speed routes (ten to be exact) leaving and arriving from historic Union Station and reaching points around the northeastern, southern and midwestern United States. Routes include the high speed Acela Express, which darts back and forth between Boston and Washington, D.C., with stops in New York. The Federal, Regional and Vermonter also link D.C. and Boston, with stops in Philadelphia and New York City. The Metroliner is a basic line between Washington D.C. and New York City. The Capital Limited heads west to Chicago, and the Crescent wanders south to Atlanta and New Orleans.
Getting Around: Despite Washington's infamous reputation of being an insurmountable road bog, traffic tales tend to be exaggerated. No doubt, gridlock does exist, especially during weekday rush hours on major thoroughfares, and the Capital Beltway can easily become a parking lot anytime of the day. But despite the horror stories it is an easily navigable town, with an uncomplicated grid set up. Certain roads switch from two-way to one-way during rush hour commutes. Weekends (unless something is going on at the Mall) and nights are normally quiet when the roads turn into a ghost town after the politicos head home for the day. Parking, however, is not easy during the day even though most street parking is metered. In the outlying neighborhoods, Adams Morgan especially, it is literally impossible to find a spot, day or night. So if you do find a space, cherish it, keep it, and utilize the excellent public transit system for the remainder of the stay.
If you're internet savvy, check out
http://www.hopstop.com for the quick and easy route via public transportation to get you where you want to go.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) (
http://www.wmata.com) manages the extensive bus (Metrobus) and subway (Metrorail) system that work hand in hand to cover just about every nook of the central district and most of the neighboring suburbs. Opened in the mid-1970s, Metrorail has long been the envy of other US cities for its upscale and efficient subway loaded with plush trains, well-maintained stations (both underground and over ground) that look straight out of the future. But years of soaring rider traffic are creating some problems with the system as it has been plagued with delays, overcrowding and outages in the last few years. Still, it is the best way to get around town, safe, and exceptionally straightforward to use. It comprises of five lines (Red, Orange, Blue, Green, Yellow) that weave through the city center before branching out into suburban Maryland and Virginia. A number of the lines overlap allowing for trouble-free transfers to Metrobus or other Metrorail lines. Major transfer hubs include: the Metro Center, L'Enfant Plaza and Gallery Place-Chinatown.
Although there are numerous stations on the Metrorail, they are spread out over a vast area, and although the network is quite detailed, there are still places in the city it does not serve directly (e.g. Georgetown) and this is where Metrobus (or walking) comes in handy. Most metro stations are served by multiple bus lines. For instance, if you want to go to Georgetown, you can catch the Orange or Blue metro line to Foggy Bottom station and then hop on to the bus outside Washington Circle (or you can trek up Pennsylvania Avenue into the quarter). You can also opt to take the Red Line to Dupont Circle station and take a bus into Georgetown (or simply hike west on P Street). Various passes, including day and weekly, are also available.
MARC (+1 800 325 7245 /
http://www.mtamaryland.com) suburban rail network stretches into the four counties north of Washington D.C., merging with Metrorail on the Red, Orange and Green lines, with halts at Union Station, Silver Spring, New Carrollton and Rockville. It also connects D.C. to Baltimore.
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) (+1 800 743 3873 /
http://www.vre.org) has two lines (Manassas and Fredericksburg) that converge on Washington D.C. from the Virginia suburbs with stops at Union Station, Crystal City and L'Enfant Plaza.
D.C. has some of the cheapest cab fares in the country. This is due to the use of a zone scheme rather than meters, although meters always seem to be on the horizon. The city is divided into five main zones and eight subzones. A map hanging in the back seat of cabs pictures the zones, but it may make little sense so it is best to get a fare quote from the driver before accepting the ride. Taxis are abundant (some 90 companies vie for fares) and can be hailed from the street or acquired at various ranks around town.
Getting There: By Air:There are three major airports that service the Washington D.C. area:
1) Ronald Reagan National Airport (+1 703 417 8600 / href="
http://www.mwaa.com/national)
By far the closest and most convenient airport in the Washington area, Reagan is a mere stone throw from downtown, and is the only airport directly connected to the Metro system. Although in theory it is the airport for quick jaunts up and down the east coast, more and more cross country flights are showing up at the gates due to the location. Shopping ranges from upscale to newsstands selling magazines and Dramamine. Restaurant selections include almost-fine-dining, grub pubs, fast food fry pits and smoothie joints. ATMs abound, and Internet access is as simple as plugging in at a sit down phone booth.
2) Dulles International Airport (+1 703 417 8600 /
http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/)
Most international air traffic and a substantial chunk of the long haul domestic flights touch down and take off from the runways of this sprawling complex, which seems to be in a perpetual state of construction. Four satellite concourses connect with the main terminal via "mobile loungers" ( i.e. crowded gizmos with entrances and exits at both ends that resemble wide buses ).
3) Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) (+1 800 435 9294 /
http://www.bwiairport.com):
Seasoned travelers looking for deals always check bargain flights in out of this airport situated 30 miles north of D.C. The airport more than makes up for the distance issue with excellent transit options, along with the usual convenience factors like ATMs, data ports in all telephones, a business center, currency exchange centers, restaurants and bars and plenty of shopping outlets. An aviation museum and children's play area provide family delay diversions.
By Bus: Greyhound Buslines ( +1 800 231 2222 /
http://www.greyhound.com ) serves several states, parts of Canada and Mexico.
By Car: Numerous interstate highways flow into I-495 ( the Capital Beltway ), which is the major ring road around the district. I-95 stretches from Washington D.C. south all the way to Miami, Florida and north to the Canadian border in Maine, passing though New York City and Boston along the way. I-70 connects the city with the western United States, via I-270.
By Rail: Amtrak (+1 800 872 7245 /
http://www.amtrak.com) has both traditional chug-along and limited high speed routes (ten to be exact) leaving and arriving from historic Union Station and reaching points around the northeastern, southern and midwestern United States. Routes include the high speed Acela Express, which darts back and forth between Boston and Washington, D.C., with stops in New York. The Federal, Regional and Vermonter also link D.C. and Boston, with stops in Philadelphia and New York City. The Metroliner is a basic line between Washington D.C. and New York City. The Capital Limited heads west to Chicago, and the Crescent wanders south to Atlanta and New Orleans.
Getting Around: Despite Washington's infamous reputation of being an insurmountable road bog, traffic tales tend to be exaggerated. No doubt, gridlock does exist, especially during weekday rush hours on major thoroughfares, and the Capital Beltway can easily become a parking lot anytime of the day. But despite the horror stories it is an easily navigable town, with an uncomplicated grid set up. Certain roads switch from two-way to one-way during rush hour commutes. Weekends (unless something is going on at the Mall) and nights are normally quiet when the roads turn into a ghost town after the politicos head home for the day. Parking, however, is not easy during the day even though most street parking is metered. In the outlying neighborhoods, Adams Morgan especially, it is literally impossible to find a spot, day or night. So if you do find a space, cherish it, keep it, and utilize the excellent public transit system for the remainder of the stay.
If you're internet savvy, check out
http://www.hopstop.com for the quick and easy route via public transportation to get you where you want to go.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) (
http://www.wmata.com) manages the extensive bus (Metrobus) and subway (Metrorail) system that work hand in hand to cover just about every nook of the central district and most of the neighboring suburbs. Opened in the mid-1970s, Metrorail has long been the envy of other US cities for its upscale and efficient subway loaded with plush trains, well-maintained stations (both underground and over ground) that look straight out of the future. But years of soaring rider traffic are creating some problems with the system as it has been plagued with delays, overcrowding and outages in the last few years. Still, it is the best way to get around town, safe, and exceptionally straightforward to use. It comprises of five lines (Red, Orange, Blue, Green, Yellow) that weave through the city center before branching out into suburban Maryland and Virginia. A number of the lines overlap allowing for trouble-free transfers to Metrobus or other Metrorail lines. Major transfer hubs include: the Metro Center, L'Enfant Plaza and Gallery Place-Chinatown.
Although there are numerous stations on the Metrorail, they are spread out over a vast area, and although the network is quite detailed, there are still places in the city it does not serve directly (e.g. Georgetown) and this is where Metrobus (or walking) comes in handy. Most metro stations are served by multiple bus lines. For instance, if you want to go to Georgetown, you can catch the Orange or Blue metro line to Foggy Bottom station and then hop on to the bus outside Washington Circle (or you can trek up Pennsylvania Avenue into the quarter). You can also opt to take the Red Line to Dupont Circle station and take a bus into Georgetown (or simply hike west on P Street). Various passes, including day and weekly, are also available.
MARC (+1 800 325 7245 /
http://www.mtamaryland.com) suburban rail network stretches into the four counties north of Washington D.C., merging with Metrorail on the Red, Orange and Green lines, with halts at Union Station, Silver Spring, New Carrollton and Rockville. It also connects D.C. to Baltimore.
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) (+1 800 743 3873 /
http://www.vre.org) has two lines (Manassas and Fredericksburg) that converge on Washington D.C. from the Virginia suburbs with stops at Union Station, Crystal City and L'Enfant Plaza.
D.C. has some of the cheapest cab fares in the country. This is due to the use of a zone scheme rather than meters, although meters always seem to be on the horizon. The city is divided into five main zones and eight subzones. A map hanging in the back seat of cabs pictures the zones, but it may make little sense so it is best to get a fare quote from the driver before accepting the ride. Taxis are abundant (some 90 companies vie for fares) and can be hailed from the street or acquired at various ranks around town.
Frommer's
Planning a Trip
Visitor Information
Contact the Front Royal/Warren County Visitors Center, 414 E. Main St., Front Royal, VA 22630 (tel. 800/338-2576 or 540/635-5788; fax 540/622-2644; www.ci.front-royal.va.us). It's located in the old train station and is open daily from 9am to 5pm except New Year's, Thanksgiving, and Christmas days. From I-66, follow U.S. 340 into town and turn left on Main Street at the Warren County Courthouse.
Getting There
From I-66, take Exit 6, U.S. 340/U.S. 522 south; it's 5 minutes to town. Front Royal is also easily reached from I-81 by taking I-66 east to Exit 6.
Planning a Trip
Visitor Information
Contact the Front Royal/Warren County Visitors Center, 414 E. Main St., Front Royal, VA 22630 (tel. 800/338-2576 or 540/635-5788; fax 540/622-2644; www.ci.front-royal.va.us). It's located in the old train station and is open daily from 9am to 5pm except New Year's, Thanksgiving, and Christmas days. From I-66, follow U.S. 340 into town and turn left on Main Street at the Warren County Courthouse.
Getting There
From I-66, take Exit 6, U.S. 340/U.S. 522 south; it's 5 minutes to town. Front Royal is also easily reached from I-81 by taking I-66 east to Exit 6.
