Quick stop at DC
Jun 6, 2016 | 12:56 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Not sure if you read my post in its entirety, though. I did discuss about staying at a hotel at or near the airport where often parking fees are less or there are no parking fees, at least in most major airports where I have visited. Additionally, in terms of renting a car, I also suggested the OP to return the car after visiting the monuments and having dinner early so that OP could just take airport hotel shuttle back to hotel and sleep and wake up to take hotel shuttle back to airport in the morning.
Also, I did factor into account time for getting car rental. If one have say Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club, the car would be waiting in the lot and all one has to do is get the car, drive out, and show attendant ID, and one is good to go. I became Hertz President Circle member after numerous rentals, and I can say the rental is generally very quick and pain free.
As for gas, most airports will have a station nearby, or in the city where OP will visit and just top it off and save receipt. Not sure if that should take more than 5 or 10 minutes.
True, Uber can be an alternative. Better? Not sure. It's all based on what one is interested in doing.
I recently did a trip to Miami where I relied exclusively on trains, buses etc to get around, and I must say that I really liked not having a car to deal with. Also, I have done similar to what OP was thinking and picked up a rental car for a few hours and enjoyed the flexibility to see what I want to see within the time frame that I allotted. I was also able to drive to the "famous" or "must eat" places with my car. I liked both experiences.
So, in the end, Uber can be one option. It will limit the number of sightseeing though.
Car can require a little more time to pick up/ gas up, etc. but $40 is not too expensive, and even if one is not too familiar with DC, a GPS really helps.
Again, everyone has their opinions on what is the best alternative is. I think OP should just read what others have suggested between Metro, Uber, and rental car, and make the choice based on what is most appropriate for OP.
Also, I did factor into account time for getting car rental. If one have say Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club, the car would be waiting in the lot and all one has to do is get the car, drive out, and show attendant ID, and one is good to go. I became Hertz President Circle member after numerous rentals, and I can say the rental is generally very quick and pain free.
As for gas, most airports will have a station nearby, or in the city where OP will visit and just top it off and save receipt. Not sure if that should take more than 5 or 10 minutes.
True, Uber can be an alternative. Better? Not sure. It's all based on what one is interested in doing.
I recently did a trip to Miami where I relied exclusively on trains, buses etc to get around, and I must say that I really liked not having a car to deal with. Also, I have done similar to what OP was thinking and picked up a rental car for a few hours and enjoyed the flexibility to see what I want to see within the time frame that I allotted. I was also able to drive to the "famous" or "must eat" places with my car. I liked both experiences.
So, in the end, Uber can be one option. It will limit the number of sightseeing though.
Car can require a little more time to pick up/ gas up, etc. but $40 is not too expensive, and even if one is not too familiar with DC, a GPS really helps.
Again, everyone has their opinions on what is the best alternative is. I think OP should just read what others have suggested between Metro, Uber, and rental car, and make the choice based on what is most appropriate for OP.
My point is that, unlike most airports, gas station options are really limited at DCA.
Jun 7, 2016 | 5:06 am
#32
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,936
Most expensive gas (without question) are the two gas stations near Capitol Hill. Whereas most gas is $2.30 to $2.70 a gallon, its $3.25+ near the Hill.
Jun 7, 2016 | 7:22 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Washington DC USA
Programs: AA: 2MM
Posts: 435
Depending on what the weather is like (and your desire for physical activity), you could use Metro to get downtown, then use Capital Bikeshare to tour the area around the Mall. A 24 hour pass costs $8 or a single 30 minute ride costs $2. There are many kiosks in the downtown area, allowing you to dock the bike and tour a monument before cycling to another one.
Jun 14, 2016 | 1:59 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 8,685
You won't put enough miles on the car for the price of gas to matter at all.
But agree with others the hassle of parking and navigating isn't worth it. I'd use a combination of metro, taxis, and uber to make it happen. Traffic won't be horrible, as noted, although Saturday night in December means holiday parties and traffic can be bad at that point (and Uber a tad expensive).
For example, you could take Metro to hotel in city, catch a taxi to Washington Monument (Constitution Ave side), take a walk there, and keep going past tidal basis to Jefferson. Then catch a taxi or Uber to Lincoln memorial, and proceed on foot from there to a metro station or another uber. Lots of permutations involving a combo of ideas.
Nov 9, 2016 | 4:44 am
#37
Original Poster
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 493
Hello everyone,
I am bumping this thread up because due to a lot a schedule change from AA I had to change my plan. I ll still land at DCA at 5pm and leave early in the morning the next day, but from BWI aiport. I secure an hotel close to BWI and a car rental from DCA to BWI. I can still cancel both but to me it appeared to me to be the easiest solution to visit Washington and goto BWI in the evening.
Do you have any better idea ?
Thanks a lot
I am bumping this thread up because due to a lot a schedule change from AA I had to change my plan. I ll still land at DCA at 5pm and leave early in the morning the next day, but from BWI aiport. I secure an hotel close to BWI and a car rental from DCA to BWI. I can still cancel both but to me it appeared to me to be the easiest solution to visit Washington and goto BWI in the evening.
Do you have any better idea ?
Thanks a lot
Nov 9, 2016 | 6:03 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 6,056
It's certainly possible, although it adds about 45-60 minutes of drive time once you're done seeing what you want to see in DC. I certainly would NOT stay in the DC area and attempt to beat rush hour to get to BWI in the morning. DC rush hour starts around 6 AM due to many federal government workers being on flex-time. It's terrible until after 9.
Nov 9, 2016 | 8:38 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,814
It's certainly possible, although it adds about 45-60 minutes of drive time once you're done seeing what you want to see in DC. I certainly would NOT stay in the DC area and attempt to beat rush hour to get to BWI in the morning. DC rush hour starts around 6 AM due to many federal government workers being on flex-time. It's terrible until after 9.
Note that most Smithsonian museums close at 5:30 (but check their individual webpages as on select dates each one might have special hours; none appear to do so on 12/10 as of today) so you will not be able to get inside any except the Portrait Gallery (which closes at 7).
However, on the Mall you will still be able to see the White House and Capitol lit up for Xmas, er, the holidaze; and the many excellent monuments (Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, WW2, FDR, MLK) on the Mall take on dramatic and impressive appearance and atmosphere when viewed at night. You will do well to see them.
On a normal Saturday evening parking around the Mall isn't terribly difficult. But, t'will be the season, and parking close to the White House will be tough as you wont be the only one who wants to visit the National Christmas Tree and otherwise see the monuments at night. So, park your one-way rental car from DCA somewhere in West Potomac Park or on Independence Avenue and walk up and down the Mall.
Leave for your hotel at BWI after dinner at Old Ebbitt and you will have had a fantastic and stress-free short visit to the nations capital. Enjoy.
Nov 10, 2016 | 7:35 am
#42
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 6,056
Baltimore is a city with its own commute, as anyone who has experienced the Baltimore beltway at rush hour can attest. The DC-area roads just getting to 295 are also highly congested in the morning. Stay near BWI.