Quick stop at DC
 

Hi everyone,

I will have a short connexion in Washington and I was wondering what was the best solution for me. I will Land at Dca around 5pm and leave the next morning. I was thinking of renting a car to quickly see the main monuments. I think Dca is close to everything, would you recommend it or will the public transportation / taxi is a better option ?

Thanks in advance

Thanks

If you're landing at 5 PM then having a car just means you get stuck in rush hour traffic. The Metro is by far the easiest way to do what you need to do; it has a stop at DCA and can take you straight to the Mall. By the time you get there it will be close to 6 PM, so depending on when you're traveling (i.e. how much light you will have), you may want to plan out in advance what you want to see. There could be a fair amount of walking involved; you may want to consider how much luggage will you be hauling around with you, and go to your hotel first to dump it.

Assuming your intent is drive-by exterior viewing of the landmarks, the rental car will allow you to see the most. Also gives easier access to areas not convenient to Metro. Gives more options for dinner, either in DC or on the Virginia side.

I suppose that you could drive around and just see things from the outside, but DC rush hour is a nightmare and can run as late as 8:30 - 9:00 PM and you've then got the reverse in the AM.

You will have missed the Smithsonians, but there are plenty of evening things in DC. Why not pick one thing you want, such as the Washington Monument, stay somewhere walking distance such as the JW Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue, Uber from DCA to the hotel, walk to the monument and back and relax. Uber to DCA in the AM. Tons of great restaurants and you could have an Uber simply take you up to the Capitol to let you wander around (outdoors) if you wanted to do that as well.

Car rental will be expensive and parking either impossible or eye-poppingly expensive.

Without knowing details like how much luggage you'll have and where you're staying overnight, it's a little tricky to say. Personally, I would take Metro, as some have advocated. It's the easiest and quickest way off the airport property and into downtown D.C. Now, if you have significant luggage and nowhere to store it, I would probably opt for a rental car, though that just adds time and money and some complication to the equation.

I think it would help to know what you want to accomplish, how much luggage you'll have, and where you're spending the night. Also, when are you doing all this? Some museums (maybe all of them) have extended hours in the summer. For instance, the Air & Space Museum is open from 10 am to 6:30 pm from 5/27 to 9/5. If you land at 5 pm and have little or no luggage, you might stand a chance to get 30-45 minutes there, for example.

Obviously just seeing the monuments can be done at all hours, though I believe Park Police shoo people away in the overnight hours. As far as seeing the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, and the Capitol, you can do all of that on foot, though probably not all of them "up close and personal" unless you're really committed to walking. You can see them by car, too, but only in "drive by" fashion, as parking and getting out and walking will be prohibitive, other than later in the evening.

Thank you all for your advice.
I wasn't aware of the traffic at that time. My plan was to take an hotel at DCA airport (my flight is at 7.30 am the next morning) leave my luggage and then take a car to see the Capitol / White House / Jefferson and Washington Monuments from the outside. Car rental quotes around 40 USD (which is ok for where I am from :) ) but if I can't park easily I guess there is no use. Do you think thoses places are safe at night ?

I did the Air & Space Museum 4 years ago and I loved it, unfortunately I don't think my GF will find it the same way :D

Given all of your answers, I think I'll try the Metro or Uber if it's more conveniant
Thanks again for your help

The areas are definitely safe at night. If you're getting a DCA-area hotel and rental car prices are only $40, I can see the appeal. Don't overlook the cost of overnight parking, though, unless that's included in your room rate. Personally, I find the "hassle factor" with the rental car not worthwhile in this case. Uber may be a better compromise between the rental car and Metro, especially if you're going from DCA to the hotel to drop your belongings and then heading out again. That said, if you're seeing those sights later in the evening (> 8 pm, for instance), you'll have a better chance of finding on-street parking, especially between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and heading out on foot. Be mindful that the distance from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol is about 2 miles, so it's not a short walk round-trip.

Keep us posted on the details about where you're staying and when, as that information will help everyone give you the best advice about how to get around. D.C. traffic is very dependent on where you're going, the time of day, the day of the week, and the month of the year, so the answers you get might vary with more details.

Parking is going to be a major pain no matter what. If you're willing to spend $40 for a rental car, spend less and take an Uber, depending on how close/far your hotel is from a Metro stop. Seeing the various things you want to see will still involve a bunch of walking, as it doesn't make a lot of sense to drive among them. Map out a route before you go that will let you walk without backtracking, then take a car/Metro to one end and leave from the other.

As to safety, there will not be an issue. That whole area is probably the best-surveilled neighborhood on Earth.

While I generally agree with taking Uber, in my experience, parking in the area around the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Vietnam Veterans' Memorial is not too bad late in the evening. There are lots of metered spots between the US Institute of Peace on 23rd and the Federal Reserve on 20th, all off Constitution. From there, the OP could hit several prominent sights and then drive along Constitution to the Capitol and head back to the DCA hotel by way of the Jefferson Memorial which should have ample adjacent parking at that hour.

Again, Uber might be the best option here, but getting a rental car and parking could be viable, depending on the actual time, day of the week, and month.

Your last sentence makes me realize how stupid I am :D. I will be in DC on a Saturday. There should no trafic that day I am right ? Regarding the period I ll be there in Dec the 10th. One reason not to book a car if the weather sqeeze my stopover.
I originaly thought an hotel close to the airport will be more convenient to drop our stuff and go to the Jefferson monuments and then move towards the inner City. But those areas seem close on Google map I wasnt sure an Uber would pick me up at the airport for the Jefferson monument. But if you think that would not be an issue I may then take a room in the center.
Thanks again for your help

There are some highways in Northern Virginia (including some that are pretty close to DCA) that are carpool only all the time. Driving in the district is easy in that the lettered and numbered streets make it easy to locate any address (paying attention to NW, SE, etc.) but the diagonal streets named after states and the traffic circles can be very disorienting.

Be aware of the Metro track work plans and resulting disruptions to service. Other than this, I would have unambiguously suggested Metro unless you have lots of luggage.

OK, so now we're getting somewhere! So you'll be in D.C. on a Saturday evening, departing from DCA on Sunday AM? If so, while I won't go so far as to say "there should be no traffic that day", it should be manageable. I STILL advocate Uber, but you CAN drive and, probably, park, though that could actually be a little MORE challenging on a Saturday night than on a weeknight. When is this trip? If it's in the next month, and hopefully the sooner, the better, that makes things a little easier as you'll be here before the full onslaught of tourist season. Once schools start letting out for the summer, D.C. becomes a bit of a zoo, like most other destination cities.

I would still stick with your plan of getting a hotel near DCA given the early departure. Most airport hotels have shuttle vans that can pick you up @ DCA and take you there the next AM. The more I think about this, the more I would skip the rental car and take Uber. You should find plenty of cars available. I would have one take you from the hotel to the Jefferson Memorial, wait for you there if they allow that, and then take you over in the vicinity of the Washington Monument/Lincoln Memorial/Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and then start walking around. You can pick up another Uber (or taxi) and go east to the Capitol building and do a drive by or get out and walk a bit. Then head back to your hotel or grab some food somewhere in D.C.

Sorry for the mess of the info. As I updated I will be there in December.
But your plan seems perfect I will take it from A to Z.
I remember when I was in college in the US that was a week before the finals so I guess there would be no one outside :D
Again a lot thanks for you and everyone else for the help and the time you took

So December changes things only due to potential weather. You are much more likely to find parking, though it still depends on how close to Christmas you'll be in town (I see you'll be here 12/10, so tourism shouldn't be a big factor, but there will be some traffic due to holiday parties, etc.)

I still think Uber is the way to go for what you're trying to accomplish. Depending on the weather, drive-by sightseeing might be preferable anyway.

You'll have no problems finding parking in December on a Saturday. In fact, it may be quite empty.

Only concerns could be that 1) it could be pretty cool (not likely to be snow, but it does happen in december), and 2) its going to be getting dark by 5:00 pm. By the time you get in your car (assuming an on-time arrival) its going to be 5:30 pm which means close to pitch black...

And since we're talking a Saturday night, I would strongly advise against Metro because with the system being as f**ked as it is now, its only going to be worse on a Saturday. Indeed, from 12/6 to 12/24, Metro is going to be SHUT down on the Blue line from Pentagon to Rosslyn - meaning your access to any Mall monuments is going to be quite circuitous.

You could take the Yellow Line right to L'Enfant Plaza or Archives, both of which are within a block of the Mall. But, yeah, it would be a bit of a walk to any of the monuments.

Also, the dates for that Blue Line shutdown may be changing, based on yesterday's news story.

I would base the decision on how to do this on a combination of the weather forecast and a check of wmata.com to find out what the track work situation is.

Jeff_ Definitely just take the metro. You'll catch the mall at sunset which is a great time to be there ^

If your are looking for more local history have dinner at Old Ebbitt

There's almost no chance of this, based on the OP. I believe Jeff is landing at DCA around 5 pm on 12/10. That's almost the winter solstice, so the sun will almost certainly be down by the time his plane touches the runway, let alone by the time he can get into the city.

The Old Ebbitt recommendation is solid! ^

I just went through the Old Ebbitt website and I am hungry now (I just finish to dine. My diet thanks you all :D)
I will check to subway if it's under reconstruction but it seems to be easier to go by car plus I saw pictures of DC by night, looks really nice.
Again thank you all for the tips

Old Ebbitt looks very interesting! I'll be in DC next weekend.

I would still book a hotel in downtown DC. Early on a Sunday AM, it's a 10-minute Uber out to DCA vs. a 5-minute ride from a DCA hotel, due to the traffic pattern. The tradeoff is the difference between a sterile airport/office park vs. downtown DC with great restaurants and a good time.

I would Uber to a DC hotel near whatever site you pick, drop your bags and head out to whatever it is you want to see and dinner. Depending on what that is, you might be walking. In the AM, hop at Uber back to DCA and you've had a great time and no hassle.

Car rental at DCA is as convenient as it could be under the circumstances, but that does not make it convenient. There are no HOV lanes at any time between DCA and DC, especially on weekends, but traffic on Saturday PM can back up. Parking at nice downtown hotels is rarely included and can run $40-60/night easily. So, why settle for some place based on cheap parking?

Downside to certain hotels that time of year is (as someone else mentioned) holiday parties. Room rates get jacked up - as do parking rates (especially ones near Metro Center).

Perhaps I am missing something here, but given that everyone was advising against renting a car and do drive by visits and to do Uber instead, I am wondering how an Uber driver would avoid the same traffic from the airport as OP would experience?

Are Uber in Washington allowed some special driving lanes of some sort that would shorten the ride, thus reducing the transport fee?

Given that the OP comes in late on Saturday night in December, which some have stated to be lighter traffic and will more than likely have parking options available, this may not sound so bad.

I am not from DC, so I can't make any strong recommendation in anyway, although I did visit and used the metro there.

If I were to go (and this is based on my preference), I would stay by the airport. Rent a car for the $40. Drive by various monuments, etc., as you most likely won't have much time and the weather may be colder for extended walking around. Then have dinner somewhere in DC. Drive back to airport and return rental car early. Have a good night sleep, and wake up early enough for airport shuttle to take you to airport in timely fashion.

Again, this is my personal logic and from someone who has been to DC only once, so it may not sound all that logical.

You are missing several parts of the equation, hoangb. First is the time required to rent the car, gas up the car, and return the car; second is the very considerable hassle factor of having to park the car at the various places where the OP wants to stop. For someone unfamiliar with DC driving, it's not all that simple to find one's way around, so that would factor in. Then there is the considerable cost of parking at any hotel in DC, if the OP is staying there. Uber presents a much better alternative.

I wouldn't really do the metro. Not only is it prone to disruptions, both planned and unplanned, it's also not on par with a private car in terms of comfort or privacy. It being Saturday evening, there's bound to be a good number of people on the Metro, people going out etc. and especially if there's a Caps or Wizards home game and you're on the wrong line at the wrong time it could even be packed. I guess it depends on whether an 'urban experience' is what the OP wants between two flights or if he wants something a bit more pacific.

Given he suggested a rental just to see monuments and landmarks, it sounded like it was more about picturesque impressions of the nation's capital. The metro is many things but it's not picturesque and it's unlikely to show the capital's best side.

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.

Hi everyone,

My initial thought was indeed to rent a car and leave it at the airport before going to the hotel. Then the Uber solution was suggested :D
I think I won't know the solution I'll pick until the very last moment. I have a connection at JFK of 1.5h (from Europe) and fear about missing the flight to DCA in case of long TSA lane or if the boarder agents take me for few more questions (I have both euro and middle east eastern nationality).
Anyway I'll pick a flex option for the car in case of late arrival (or bad weather conditions). As some people said here the metro seems to be a coin flip and even it's a cheap option public transportation is always a risk (I leave in Paris :D).
My main concern on Uber was beeing able to quickly find one near remote places but given your comments that is not an issue here so it is still open for me.
Thanks again

You should be able to get an Uber in under five minutes 24 hours a day pretty much anywhere that you, as a tourist, would want to be. Places remote enough not to have instant Uber availability are places you should avoid, particularly at night.

Uber might be a bit more of a challenge in the next couple of weeks....

I think this trip is set to be in December based on OP's information.

Going south on Rt. 1 there is exactly 1 fueling station before the entrance to Reagan National. And they know it. Gotta be the most expensive gas in the metro D.C. area. Coming north, there are a few more options, but don't wait until you're approaching the airport grounds, because the last gas station is probably a mile or more away.

My point is that, unlike most airports, gas station options are really limited at DCA.

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.

Thanks for the advice, where I live it's €1.6 per L, I would have thought $3.25+ cheap without knowing it's far cheaper elswhere

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.

Metro....easier said than done these days.

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.

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

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.

The above is good advice.

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. :)

Thank you both for your precious advice.

We really look forward to visit DC but indeed a bit stressed as it is really short stay. But with all of comments, I think it should be smooth :D