Airport Arrival & Departure
There are (3) airports in the Washington, DC area. Baltimore-Washington Int’l (BWI), Dulles Int’l (IAD), and the most convenient airport to the hotel, Reagan National (DCA).
If it’s possible & economical, we strongly recommend you arrive at Reagan National, as it has a direct line and stop for the hotel on WMATA’s Metrorail.
If your travel arrangements require you to arrive at BWI, you can pre-purchase a train ticket to Union Station in DC (and from there take the WMATA Metrorail to Alexandria), or you can take Amtrak directly from BWI to Alexandria, VA. Once you arrive at BWI, you’ll take the Amtrak shuttle at the airport that will transport you to the train station and board Amtrak.
If your travel arrangements require you to arrive at Dulles, you can take the WMATA Metrorail directly to the hotel in Alexandria (you’ll need to change trains at one of the subway stations to complete the trip).
Ground Transportation in the DC Area
We recommend you purchase a (2, 3 or 4) day pass using the WMATA SmartTrip Card (it covers both transit bus and Metrorail). This is the best way to shuttle between the airport, hotel and downtown DC. You can purchase your SmartTrip Card in advance and upload the app on your phone for easy access.
Hop On – Hop Off Tour Bus in DC
The Hop on – Hop off tour bus is ideal for general touring in the District. It affords you the opportunity to visit multiple sights at your convenience, as they run their routes all day.
Taxi service within the District is relatively economical with each fare around $12 anywhere in the District. If you travel outside of the District, the fares are at normal taxi rates. This is why you should travel via WMATA Metrorail in and out of the District.
Water Taxi Service
You can access water taxi services on the Potomac about a mile from the hotel if you’re going to the National Harbor or on a dinner cruise on the Potomac. The drop-off point is the Wharf in the District (the same place you’ll board the dinner cruise).
Of course, there’s always Uber and Lyft if you prefer.