iluvcruising2

I may have to go to Washington DC for a business trip in late May. Looking at flight options.

Considering Singapore Airlines and the connection is SIN-LHR-IAD, first leg on SQ and second leg on Virgin Atlantic. However, the layover is almost 5 hours at LHR.

Wonder if the seasoned travellers have any recommendations or preferences.

Thanks for the views.

IADCAflyer

I assume this is in J class....

Do you want luxury, fastest time? Easiest transfer?

On time, fastest will probably to take one of the Star carriers SIN-NRT (most likely United or ANA) and then NRT-IAD. 22 hours

Cheapest business is probably a combo of carriers (often involving Air Canada) or Etihad. But going west you often add 7 or 10 hours to your flight (with the exception of some screwball routings via DOH).

Alpha Golf

If you're in biz, the route you've suggested would be very pleasant. The Virgin Clubhouse at LHR would be a perfect place to while away a few hours.

iluvcruising2

Thanks for the comments.

Yes, I'm curious about the Virgin Clubhouse at LHR. I've seen pictures of it and it looks stunning.

IADCAflyer

I did a bit more checking. Found you can do SIN-DOH-IAD on QR. One segment involves the A350. I'd love to do that one!

One of the QR options involves an 8 hour layover and (IIRC) QR puts you up in their airport hotel which I have heard is quite nice.

iluvcruising2

Thanks for helping to check!

lcpteck

Quite alot of choices here with 1 stop transit, I'm sure there's more than what I listed here...

NH SIN-NRT-IAD
UA SIN-NRT-IAD
QR SIN-DOH-IAD
KE SIN-ICN-IAD
CA SIN-PEK-IAD
TK SIN-IST-IAD
BA SIN-LHR-IAD
EK SIN-DXB-IAD
EY SIN-AUH-IAD
LH SIN-FRA-IAD
CX/AA SIN-HKG-DFW-DCA

Agreed with IADCAflyer, fastest flights would be NH and UA, they codeshare each other as well. Yep QR also operates the A359 daily on all 3 flights departing SIN, so you can try to choose the one with the shortest transit times (I remember it was about 3 hours transit). KE also likely operates the B77W with the new Prestige Suites on ICN-IAD. It's the same seat as JL's Sky Suite. Unfortunately I've never experienced business class on long haul so can't really recommend anything.

Coincidentally I'm flying to DCA on monday for personal reasons (Family). Booked on the JL sale fare ex-TPE in Y/W. Flying to TPE in CX on sunday and staying over 1 night to catch the next day's flight. Wish me luck... First time to the US after 21 years, hope I don't get lost in JFK and miss my flight... I already applied for the ESTA Visa Waiver.

I'll be there for 2 months so maybe we can meetup for food and drinks...

iluvcruising2

Looks like my trip is more or less confirmed.

Likely will fly SIN-LHR-IAD on SQ and then Virgin Atlantic.

I may go a couple of days earlier to check out the place before attending to my business engagement.

Any recommendations on a decent hotel to stay for 2 nights?

Oformula

Where is your business? Would you prefer to stay within the city, or is taking the metro from Virginia an option?

iluvcruising2

I am attending a conference, so during the conference days I will stay at the designated conference hotel. So no issues of staying elsewhere for the first 2 days, since I assume I can get a taxi or take the metro from the pre-stay hotel to the conference hotel. I think the conference hotel is located near a Metro station, IIRC.

So, I'm open to ideas. In terms of sights, I definitely want to visit the Aviation Museum. I am arriving Friday afternoon and the conference doesn't start till Monday. So I got 2 days and a bit to tour the place.

For hotels, any comments on Washington Plaza Hotel?
http://www.washingtonplazahotel.com/

The location looks very central and the rates are acceptable.

Alpha Golf

Yes, that's a good location. No idea what it's like though (though it's two blocks away from me).

Note that the Air and Space Museum has two locations - the National Mall (central) and Dulles Airport (far away).

In general, Metro service is very, very poor on weekends. Not recommended.

iluvcruising2

Thanks for the tips. I didn't know the museum was also at the Dulles Airport. I was thinking of the one in the central location.

I figured from the Washington Plaza hotel, I could go by foot to the places I wanted to visit. I can walk long distances, no problems. The temperature looks comfortable.

Any recommended places for an interesting meal? I'm game to try stuff.

jsnydcsa

Thomas Circle is a little off the beaten path of "downtown" Depending on what you're looking for (the Mall) you may want to move further down towards Pennsylvania Avenue which is close walking distance to all the different National Mall attractions, monuments and museums.

ambyr

If you like walking, the walk from Thomas Circle to the Mall is easy and pleasant--no significant hills, well-lit and well-populated even at night.

14th St. is one of DC's main restaurant districts. Head north from the Washington Plaza and you'll find plenty of food options between N St. and W St. Be prepared for a wait on Friday or Saturday night if you don't have reservations, though.

iluvcruising2

Thanks. I will be navigating using the GPS on my smartphone, and given how well laid out DC seems to be, I don't think I'll get lost.

But if I really get tired and want a ride back to my hotel, I assume it should be fairly easy to hail a taxi?

Also, I read that there are some free walking tours that start from the National Mall. Are those any good? I know I am supposed to give a tip afterwards - what is a reasonable tip to give?