Two subway experts posting a minute apart - thanks for that great info folks. ^

And Tazi and kokonutz possibly being in the same room .. that will kill some of those rumours (mostly started by me!) about long black wigs and them being one and the same person. ;)

Glen

FWIW -- found a printable page on those Metro links. Perfect. ^

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/colormap.pdf

Do they sell like a weekly pass that allows you rail use on the network?

All I could see were day passes, but assume there are tourist or commuter weekly type deals?

http://www.wmata.com/riding/hours_fa...etrorail_Fares

Check this page about half way down. Don't get a bus only pass, the busses are "irregular" (bathroom humor implied) at best. Better to get a metrorail pass and then get a transfer at the entering rail station, which can be used on a bus to reduce the fare to (I think 25 cents). There is no bus-rail transfer option.

metro expert here...
 

As I don't own a car, I'm very METRO saavy. First, you need a Phd to fully understand the fares :) .

Here is my suggestion. Buy the short distance rail pass. It costs $22 and good for 7 days from the first use. During non-rush hours (9:30 am - 3:00 pm, after 7:00 pm weekdays, all day Sat/Sun) all rail trips are covered by the pass. During rush hours, if the fare is more than $2.20, you must pay the difference between the actual fare and $2.20. Unless you go to the suburbs, you won't have this problem. Wheter a trip is rush hour fares is based upon when you run your ticket thru the turnstile. I routinely run to the station to swipe my farecard at 2:58 pm to avoid extra charges. You can use your credit card to buy the pass at the special farecard machines in every metro station.

Should you need to use the buses, get a paper transfer at the station where you start your rail trip. They are usually by the escalator going to the platform. When you board the bus at your connection, you just pay $0.35. Otherwise, it is $1.25 per trip on the bus. Also ask for a bus transfer. It is good for about 2 hours, so you're allowed to ride any bus within that time frame. Free trip back to the Metro station. There is no bus to rail transfer program. And the buses are not that bad. Congestion is the problem that causes them to bunch up during rush hours.

Superb info - thanks!

First night we arrive (May 30) we stay at Marriott Dulles just to crash, and save the long trek downtown after 24 hours on planes.

Does this pass work from the closest orange line station to Dulles?

In the past I recall taking a Washington Flyer bus to West Falls Church and then the train to save the $60 or whatever cab. Looks like Orange line has 2 stations that go further west than West Falls Church, but not sure if they are of any use to us for Dulles.

Start and end time?

Depending on what time of day you are traveling, it might just cost extra. Here's the the description from Metro website:

ozstamps,

As the unofficial limo service of the DC Happy Hour (see this thread for the inside joke: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...page=12&pp=40), I might be able to pick you up on the 31st and take you to your hotel downtown if you want.

Please let me know which downtown hotel you are staying at and when you expect to transfer from the Dulles Marriott to your new digs downtown.

dcgators - now there is an offer that makes FT all the more special. :) ^

Sounds like a good reason to break out a bottle of vintage fizz to me at Hyatt. Consider yourself hired. ;)

I have a couple of cartons with me to mail in DC, so schlepping them on trains was not really an option as well as suitcases, now I thought on it, but the week rail pass still sounds neat. :cool:

We get to Dulles 8.47pm May 30, and will have a good sleep, so imagine we'll be heading to the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill around '10am ish' - but it you do have the time Wed May 31 we'd gladly fit in with your sked. Please let me know and we'll work it out.

In the past I've experienced the DC Limo service of at least these kind folks (and forgive me if there are more names forgotten, but after 6 beers ... ) - thezipper, (several times) Mileage Addict, gleff, pranu, Suzy1K, wlindner, MDTony, dhacker, G1 (man that was a ride!) Tall Scandinavian Frank with the handle too hard to spell. And more than likely VaijeoJovern (sp?) in the early days, and possibly bhatnasx and Yogi.

Been some great FT hospitality over the years. :D

Glen

Also as Margaret has never been to DC we should probably buy an Entertainment Book I think, and I better get moving on that today so it arrives on time. I saw someone had them for $12 or soemthing this week.

What expiry date do the USA book coupons have? (i.e. here they all expire June 30 annually).

This is bad but we will not be able to bump into ozstamps and the rest of this crew that first weekend in June.
There's too much work down here in Fla and all of my appointments in the DC area are falling on the 15th and 16th.
I wish ozstampsand Margaret a great trip in the States and sure hope that we will cross paths again soon.

You might want to post this question in the S.P.A.M. forum. I don't use the books so I have no idea when the coupons expire.

I will be working June 2nd so I am out for this one :(

Happy Birthday to ME! How did I get to be the ripe old age of 28? ;) :D

the entertainment book ain't great for dc. Much of the things you want to see are either free or aren't in the book. The coupons generally expire like Nov. 1, I believe. But a few go though the year. (some of the car rental do).

Count me in as well.