Washington DC Transportation help

[glynn2009]

I need help..... In 2 hrs. we are leaving to go to DC for the first time for a few days. I have a hotel in the Dulles airport area but we are wanting to do things in DC. What is the best way for a family of six to get around?? I am thinking public transportation....?? What do I need to buy? I plan on doing our site seeing for free at museums and such. Any suggestions?

[womet]

You're going to have to rent a car if you are staying near Dulles. The metro doesn't go out that far.

If you're going to drive to a closer metro station, then you will each need your own metro card to ride. I recommend the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum. Kids love those.

[LoveTrains]

Are you sure your hotel is near Dulles and not near Reagan/National airport? I don't think the metro goes go Dulles.

[jenn248]

Will you have a car? Honestly, getting metro passes for a family of six would cost about the same amount you'd spend for parking downtown, and it would take a lot less time to drive yourself. If you park near the Mall/Smithsonians, you can walk to quite a bit from there. Dulles is still pretty far from the nearest metro station, so you would need to drive to the Vienna station and then metro downtown from there (about 30 min to the Smithsonian stop on the metro, plus the trains only run every 15 min or so on the weekends, so you might be stuck waiting a while).

[karinothing]

The 6 of you are staying out at the airport the entire time? Does your hotel have a bus to the metro or anything? I am sure there are city buses you can take from the airport to DC but that seems annoying. Honestly? I would rent a car as the metro doesn't currently go to dulles and with a car you can either drive into the city and park for the day or park at one of the metro locations.

Museums are good. Monuments are Good. Not sure how old your kids are but I hear teh building museum is awesome for kids (not sure if it is free though).

This blog has a lot of great ideas: aparentinsilverspring.com/2010/02/what-to-do-with-kids-in-washington-dc-100-things.html

[frlcb]

This is a good blog too - kidfriendlydc.com/

You should rent a car if you are staying by Dulles.

[glynn2009]

Right we are nere Dulles we have rented a van to get there.
What station is closest to Dulles? Do I need to pay by the trip or a 7 day pass or something? We will only be there Saturday through Monday and I believe I read that we can park a the station on weekends for free. Would the rail or bus be better. I have looked at this stuff until my head hurts so any help would be appreciated.

[glynn2009]

The kids are from 5 to 20 with one being a exchange student.

[Wines Not Whines]

I'm not trying to be unhelpful here, but how are you just starting to think about these logistics and plans now, 2 hours before your trip??

[karinothing]

Oct 12, 2012 13:44:12 GMT -5 glynn2009 said:

Right we are nere Dulles we have rented a van to get there.
What station is closest to Dulles? Do I need to pay by the trip or a 7 day pass or something? We will only be there Saturday through Monday and I believe I read that we can park a the station on weekends for free. Would the rail or bus be better. I have looked at this stuff until my head hurts so any help would be appreciated.

I think Vienna is going to be the closest station, but I am not quite sure, I also don't know if it is free. Sorry not much help there.

I would not want to take 6 people on a bus, although it would be cheaper. The bus can just be kind of annoying and slow expecially on the weekends. You can get passes for the metro, I believe they offer 7 day ones for $35 pp and one day passes for $14 pp.

Up to 2 children 4 years and younger ride free with each paying adult. So that may work out for you.

Honestly though, I would drive into the city and park at a garage for $20 a day or whatever and then just walk around the city (assuming you guys are up for some walking, all the museums are close together so it shouldn't be an issue).

[Wines Not Whines]

More helpful advice: I think you'll be out near the end of the Orange line (Metro). You can go to www.wmata.com to see a Metro map. You can ask at your hotel for directions about how to get to the closest station. Parking should be free on the weekend. Then you can take Metro into DC. Or, as others suggested, you can drive into DC, but if you want to get a prime parking spot on the street near the monuments/museums, you need to arrive before 10 am. Or you can pay to park in a garage ($15 or so).

The Smithsonian has an Air and Space museum out near dulles airport. You should definitely check that out. The museum itself is free, but you have to pay to park. Your hotel may have a free shuttle there; you should ask them when you arrive.

Also, it's supposed to be a little chilly tomorrow, so plan accordingly if you're going to spend a lot of time walking around outside.

[Norticprincess]

The day passes are going to add up quickly for that many people. Paying for parking downtown would be cheaper. You can take a bus between Dulles and the Metro ($6 pp each way), but it would be easier to park at the station
Metro's website with station and pass info.
www.wmata.com/


Parking near SI
www.si.edu/content/pdf/visit/parkingmap.pdf

[jenn248]

If you decide to drive downtown and park, here are websites for two of the big parking garage companies. Honestly, it's hard not to find a parking garage in DC (assuming you're not just looking on Constitution or Indepence Aves), but if you're not familiar with DC, you could find a garage on here and map out directions in advance.

www.ecolonial.com/

www.pmi-parking.com/

[glynn2009]

Oct 12, 2012 13:48:21 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I'm not trying to be unhelpful here, but how are you just starting to think about these logistics and plans now, 2 hours before your trip??

I have been trying to figure this out but I am not making any progress so I thought I would ask. My BIL said to drive and they live 1 mile from the White House but everything I read says parking is awful so I thought I would ask.

[glynn2009]

Thanks for those who were helpful. We are all fine with walking so it looks like it will probably be OK to park in the city and walk around. Thanks again!

[gt7301b]

I would drive downtown and park. Parking isn't horrible on the weekend.

If you do want to take metro I would park at either Herndon Monroe Park and Ride and take the bus (5A) or just drive into West Falls Church and take the metro from there. There is also a bus that goes from the park and ride to West Falls Church, but I don't know the number

Parking is always free at the park and ride and is free at the WFC lot on Saturday and Sunday.

www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/dc/05a.pdf
www.linkinfo.org/park_ride.cfm

Since you are out near Dulles I would also go to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum. It is my favorite of all the Smithsonian museums. You need to pay to park, but I believe parking is free after 4PM.

[jenn248]

Oct 12, 2012 14:18:42 GMT -5 glynn2009 said:

I have been trying to figure this out but I am not making any progress so I thought I would ask. My BIL said to drive and they live 1 mile from the White House but everything I read says parking is awful so I thought I would ask.

Parking is crappy during the week, but most of the garages should be fairly empty on weekends since they won't be filled with commuters. If you're here Saturday-Monday, I would plan on doing the downtown activities on Saturday-Sunday, and then use Monday to visit Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum, as WinesNotWhines suggested.

[urbancowgirl]

Metro has been doing a lot of track work on the weekends, which creates delays. Be sure to check wmata.com if you do end up taking the Metro. Personally, I would drive into the city and pay for parking. Here's one visitor's POV: unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com/2012/10/metro-fares-massive-massive-failure.html.

[dragonfly08]

Fortunately, doesn't look like there's any track work scheduled on the Orange line this weekend. Of course, the one weekend I'm not looking to go in, right? Anyway...

Staying out by Dulles puts you closest (loosely speaking) to the Vienna station, which is the end of the Orange line. When I lived out there I actually preferred driving just a bit more and hitting East or West Falls Church. But I refuse to drive into DC so that was never an option. I hate city driving and tight parking. If you don't mind it, that may be the way to go especially since unless you plan to cab it to Metro, you'll need a car to get even there from the hotel.