TheCapitol.Net > Teaching how Washington and Congress work. TM > We help you understand Washington and Congress. TM TheCapitol.Net, Inc., GSA Contract Number GS02F0192X
Items in Basket: 0
Total: $0.00

Account     Basket   Checkout
 
  • Home
      • About Us
      • - Contact Us
      • - Capability Statement
      • - Opportunities
      • - DUNS, Tax ID, CAGE
      • Clients
      • Client Testimonials
      • Faculty and Authors
      • FAQs
      • Forms
      • Policies
      • Privacy Notice
      • Congressional Glossary
      • Links
      • Maps and Directions
      • Quick DC Links
      • Research Links
      • U.S. Constitution
      • Visiting Washington, DC
      • You Have Two Cows
      • ___________________
      • Hobnob Blog
      • ___________________
      • Current Catalog
      • Contact Us
  • Courses
      • Schedule
      • Register for a Course
      • Registration Form (PDF)
      • ___________________
      • Congressional Operations Briefing - Capitol Hill Workshop
      • Drafting Federal Legislation and Amendments
      • Writing for Government and Business: Critical Thinking and Writing
      • ___________________
      • Congressional Fellows and Presidential Management Fellows Training
      • Topical Areas
      • Advocacy and Communication
      • Congressional Operations
      • Federal Budgeting
      • Hill Workshops and Special Programs
      • Legislative Drafting Workshop
      • Media Training
      • National Security and Intelligence
      • Professional Development Workshops
      • Research Workshops
      • Testifying Workshop
      • The Executive Branch
      • Working with Congress and Congressional Staff
      • Writing Workshops
      • Certificate of Training
      • CEUs from George Mason University
      • CLE Credit
      • Course Locations
      • Faculty and Authors
      • FAQs About Open Enrollment Courses
      • FAQs About Sponsored Courses
      • Maps and Directions
      • Payment, Cancellation and Substitution
      • Policies
      • Rave Reviews of Our Courses
      • Registration Information
      • Weather/Snow Policy
      • Where to Stay
      • ___________________
      • Current Catalog
      • Suggestion Form
  • Publications
      • Government Series
      • Order and Registration Form (PDF)
      • ___________________
      • Pocket Editions
      • - Pocket Constitution and Declaration of Independence
      • - Pocket Guide to Advocacy on Capitol Hill
      • - Thos. Paine's Common Sense
      • ___________________
      • A Better Congress: Change the Rules, Change the Results
      • Citizen's Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials
      • Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers
      • Congressional Deskbook
      • Congressional Procedure
      • Congressional Operations Poster
      • Federal Budget Process, The
      • Federal Regulatory Process Poster
      • Forbidden Citizens: Chinese Exclusion and the U.S. Congress
      • Legal Spectator & More
      • Legislative Drafter's Deskbook
      • Lobbying and Advocacy
      • Media Relations Handbook for Government, Associations, Nonprofits, and Elected Officials
      • Persuading Congress
      • Real World Research Skills
      • Testifying Before Congress
      • Bookstores
      • Copyright Permissions
      • Faculty and Authors
      • FAQs
      • Potential Authors
      • Rave Reviews
      • Review and Examination Copies
      • ___________________
      • Current Catalog
      • Suggestion Form
  • Convenience Learning
      • Capitol Learning Audio Courses
      • -  Alphabetical List
      • Test Download for Audio Courses
      • ___________________
      • Congress, the Legislative Process, and the Fundamentals of Lawmaking
      • How America Governs
      • How to Organize a Capitol Hill Day
      • Media Relations: Merging Policy and Media Strategies
      • The Federal Budget Process
      • What Your Member of Congress Can Do for You
      • Topical Areas
      • Advocacy and Communication
      • Congressional Operations
      • Federal Budgeting
      • Informed Citizen Series
      • Media Training
      • Special Programs
      • The Executive Branch
      • Working with Congress and Congressional Staff
      • Limited License
      • Customization
      • FAQs
      • ___________________
      • Current Catalog
      • Suggestion Form
  • Custom Training
      • Government Agencies
      • Prime Contractors
      • Capability Statement
      • ___________________
      • Capitol Hill Day / National Advocacy Day
      • Congressional Operations Briefing - Capitol Hill Workshop
      • Critical Thinking and Writing
      • How Washington Works
      • Testifying Before Congress
      • ___________________
      • Client Quotes
      • Sample Agendas
      • FAQs
      • Contact Us
      • Information Request Form
      • Topical Areas
      • Advocacy and Communication
      • Congressional Operations
      • Federal Budgeting
      • Hill Workshops and Special Programs
      • Lunch and Learn
      • Media Training
      • Research Skills
      • The Executive Branch
      • Working with Congress and Congressional Staff
      • Writing Workshops
      • ___________________
      • GSA Contract GS02F0192X
  • Faculty and Authors
      • Faculty Affiliations
      • A-F
      • G-L
      • M-Q
      • R-S
      • T-Z
      • Faculty Favorites on Hobnob Blog
      • ___________________
      • Current Catalog
      • Contact Us
  • Clients
      • Short Client List
      • Long Client List
      • Client Reviews
      •     Courses
      •     Custom Training
      •     Publications
      • ___________________
      • Current Catalog
      • Contact Us
      • Congressional Offices
      • Federal Agencies
      • State and Local Government
      • Labor Unions
      • Think Tanks
      • Libraries
      • Military
      • News Media
      • Associations
      • Universities and Schools
      • NGOs and Nonprofits
      • Diplomatic Corps
      • Bookstores
      • Business
      • Coalitions
      • Institutes
      • Lobbying Firms
      • PR Firms
      • Law Firms
      • Law Schools
  • Store
      • Courses
      • James Madison Bobble Head
      • Publications
      • Return Policy
      • ___________________
      • Current Catalog
      • Contact Us
  • Client Care
      • Where to Stay
      • Capitol Hill Hotels and Restaurants
      • Maps and Directions
      • FAQs
      • About Us
      • Return Policy
      • Courses
      • Client Quotes > Rave Reviews
      • Quick DC Links
      • Visiting Washington, DC
      • Research and Reference Tools
      • Privacy Notice
      • ___________________
      • Current Catalog
      • Contact Us

Visiting Washington, DC

How to Get Into, Around, and Out Of Washington, DC

 Getting Into and Out Of DC

Suggestion: get a good map of the area - see our recommended links and books on our Books and Maps page.

  FLY

The Washington, DC (WDC) area has three airports for major commercial airlines: Dulles, Reagan National, and BWI.

Metro has a useful page: Using Metro to get to and from the DC area airports

Reagan National (DCA)  703-417-8000 

  • Most convenient airport to DC

  • Served by Metro Blue and Yellow lines 

  • Super Shuttle or taxi

  • Other ground transportation
     

Dulles (IAD)  703-572-2700 

  • Served by Super Shuttlee or Washington Flyer bus or taxi

  • Silver Line

  • Other ground transportation
     

Baltimore Washington International (BWI)  1-800-435-9294 

  • Served by MARC trains to/from Union Station

  • MetroBus express route B30 travels between the Greenbelt Metrorail station and BWI

  • Super Shuttle

  • Other ground transportation



 DRIVE

The major north-south highway is Interstate 95 (I-95).  Other major highways into the area are Interstate 270 (connecting to I-76/I-70 to the north) and Interstate 66 (I-66) from the west.

The Beltway, Interstate 495, surrounds the Washington DC area.  If you are unfamiliar with the Beltway, you should be familiar with the names of your entry point and your exit point.  The Beltway has on outer ring and an inner ring, and connects to Interstate 66 on the west (Port Royal), Interstate 95/395 on the south (Richmond), Interstate 95 on the north (Baltimore/New York), and Interstate 270 on the northwest (Gaithersburg). 

A map of the Beltway is here.
 

 BUS

Greyhound serves Washington, DC, with stops in the suburbs in Virginia and Maryland.

As of mid-2011, Greyhound, Bolt Bus, Megabus and Washington Deluxe buses stop at Union Station, where you can catch Amtrak or the Red Line. The bus garage is near the Bikestation on the west side of Union Station.

For inexpensive fares on a Chinatown bus  703-572-2700  from Chinatown in NYC to Chinatown in WDC. Check the latest schedule by visiting the websites or calling the numbers below, as these companies are adding buses due to increased interest.  One-way tickets are $20-$30, round trip fares range from $30 to $50 - ask about specials at the ticket offices.  The trip from the DC area to NYC, depending on traffic, takes between 4 and 5 hours.

Aggregators

Wanderu    Busbud    BusJunction

GotoBus has a semi-complete schedule here. GoToBus include schedules for some, not all, Chinatown bus lines: Eastern Travel, Vamoose, Dragon, Today's, Washington Deluxe.

Yelp also has a good list. The WaPo has a list.

 


Chinatown Bus Pioneer Fung Wah Strangled by Federal Bureaucracy

BoltBus - Online ticketing only. DC: Union Station.  NYC: 33rd Street and 7th Avenue by Sbarro's East Broadway; and 6th Avenue between Canal and Grand. [Yelp]

megabus - Online ticketing only (customer service: 877-462-6342). DC:  Union Station, near the Gray Line area.  NYC: 31st Street by Penn Station (on the north side of West 31st Street at the northeast corner of 31st Street and 8th Avenue). [Yelp]

TripperBus, 1-877-826-3874. Bus stops: Arlington, Between McDonalds at 1823 N. Moore Street and 1801 N. Moore Street, Bethesda, 4801 Edgemoor Lane. NYC, 34th St and the Northeast corner of 7th Ave (between 7th Ave and Broadway). WiFi and onboard power. Make reservations online. [Yelp]

Washington Deluxe Premier Bus Travel Service, 1-866-287-6932, 718-387-7523.  Bus stops: WDC,  Union Station, 1320 19th St NW (Dupont Circle), and then make several stops in Brooklyn and NYC, ending up at 303 West 34th Street (at 8th Avenue near Penn Station).  Reservations recommended.  [Yelp]

Eastern Travel (also Eastern Shuttle, also Today's Bus). 212-868-5724.  WDC bus stop at 715 H St NW and in Rockville at 305 N Washington Street, Rockville, MD.  NYC bus stops at 430 7th Ave at 34th St. and 28 Allen St. (Corner of Canal St), New York, NY.  Trip takes approximately 4.5 hours. [Yelp]

Vamoose Bus, 877-393-2828, has drop off and pick up locations in Lorton, VA, Rosslyn at 1801 N Lynn Street, Arlington, VA, and in Bethesda, MD, at 7490 Waverly Street.  NYC stop at West 30th St. at 7th Avenue, at Penn Station. Trip takes approximately 4 hours. Reservations are not required, but passengers with reservations have priority at boarding.  [Yelp]
 

 TRAIN

Amtrak serves Washington, DC.  The major train station is Union Station, which is worth a visit when you're in Washington.  Several commuter rail lines also serve the area: Virginia Railway Express (VRE) in Virginia, and  Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC).

The Metro Red Line has a convenient stop at Union Station.

 

 Getting Around DC

If you are not familiar with the Washington, DC area, inside WDC you are urged to use the Metro, taxi, bicycle and walk.  Parking in DC and on Capitol Hill can be scarce and difficult to find, parking tickets are quickly dispensed and expensive, and the many roundabouts and varying-angled streets can be confusing for even experienced drivers new to DC. The subway system (called Metrorail or just Metro by many) is convenient and easy to use.

Some commuters in northern Virginia commute by using "slug lines".

  • How to Use the Subway (Metrorail) in Washington, DC - from TheCapitol.Net

  • Books and Maps - from TheCapitol.Net

  • DC Tours on Yelp

  • Bike the Sites - tour DC on a bike [Yelp]

  • DC Ducks   [Yelp]

  • DC Tours

  • Getting Around DC from Destination DC

  • Pedicab: Capitol Pedicab, DC Pedicab, Discover DC Pedicab, Nonpartisan Pedicab, National Pedicab

  • Potomac River cruises:  Capitol River Cruises | DC Cruises |  Potomac Riverboat Company

  • Segway Tours: Capital Segway | City Segway Tours | Segs in the City 

  • Taxi cab information for the Metro-DC area

  • Walking Tours - DC By Foot [Yelp] | Washington Walks [Yelp]

Public transportation links for the Washington DC area can be found at 

  • CommuterPage.com

  • DASH - Alexandria, Virginia's local bus system

 

Also see our Visiting Washington, DC page

TheCapitol.Net is a non-partisan firm, and the opinions of its faculty, clients, and of the owners and operators of its vendors are their own and do not represent those of TheCapitol.Net.

 

 

Quick DC Links - Washington Essentials

 

 Bookmark and Share

 

 

URL:   www.TheCapitol.Net/VisitingDC/transportation.htm

 

Bookmark and Share
 

DC Taxi, by Matthew Peoples
Photo by Matthew Peoples

 

 

Reagan National, by Mike McCaffrey
Reagan National, by Mike McCaffrey

 

Reagan National, by inazakira
Reagan National, by inazakira

 

Dulles International
Dulles International

 

BWI
BWI

 

 

Bolt Bus, by paranoidnotandroid
Bolt Bus, by paranoidnotandroid

 

Vamoose Bus

 

DC2NY Bus

 

Eastern Bus

 

Fung Wah Bus

 

 

Amtrak, by reivax
Amtrak, by reivax

 

Acela, by Derek Yu
Acela, by Derek Yu

 

 

Tourmobile
 

 

DC Ducks

 

DC Cruises

 

Potomac River Boat Co.
 

 

 
FAQs Client Care Visiting Washington, DC General Links
Public Courses Payment, Cancellation and Substitution Custom Training, On-Site and Online Publications Capitol Learning Audio Courses TM - Limited License Congress and Washington, DC Policies Pre-filled Form W-9 (1-page PDF) Registration Information Payment, Cancellation and Substitution Policy Capitol Hill Hotels and Restaurants Maps and Directions Weather/Snow Policy What to Wear Where to Stay Return Policy Suggestion Forms General Information About DC How to Get Into, Around And Out Of Washington, DC Maps and Directions Books and Maps for Visitors Books for Children Museums, Memorials & Monuments Song, Dance & Theater Sports Beltway Map DC Weather About Us Congressional Glossary You Have Two Cows Privacy Notice Clients Faculty and Authors Links Research Links Contact Us
 
   

The Capitol.Net, Inc.

PO Box 25706, Alexandria VA 22313-5706
Phone: 202-678-1600     Email Us

Copyright © 1999-2023 by TheCapitol.Net, Inc. All Rights Reserved.