Washington DC Info
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 Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:20 am Post subject: GETTING THERE/AROUND IN WASHINGTON DC |
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GETTING THERE/AROUND IN WASHINGTON DC
GETTING THERE
By Air
Three airports compete for air traffic into the Washington DC area:
Ronald Reagan National Airport ( +1 703 417 8000/ http://www.mwaa.com/national )
1 Aviation Circle
Washington, DC 20001
By far the closest and most convenient airport in the Washington area, Reagan is a mere stone throw from downtown, and is the only airport directly connected to the Metro system. Although in theory it is the airports for quick jaunts up and down the east coast, more and more cross country flights are showing up at the gates due to the location. Shopping ranges from upscale to newsstands selling magazines and Dramamine. Restaurant selections include almost-fine-dining, grub pubs, fast food fry pits and smoothie joints. ATMS abound, and Internet access is as simple as plugging in at a sit down phone booth. Airlines serving the airport include:
Air Canada ( +1 888 247 2262/ http://www.aircanada.ca )
Alaska Airlines ( +1 800 252 7522/ http://www.alaskaair.com )
American Airlines ( +1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com )
America West ( +1 800 235 9292/ http://www.americawest.com )
American Trans Air ( +1 800 435 9282/ http://www.ata.com )
Continental Airlines ( +1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com )
Delta Airlines ( +1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com )
Frontier Airlines ( +1 800 432 1359/ http://www.frontierairlines.com )
Northwest Airlines ( +1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com )
United Airlines ( +1 800 241 6522/ http://www.ual.com )
US Airways ( +1 800 428 4322/ http://www.usair.com )
Ground transportation:
Onsite rental companies:
Avis ( +1 800 331 1212/ http://www.avis.com )
Budget ( +1 800 527 0700/ http://www.budgetdc.com )
Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131/ http://www.hertz.com )
National ( +1 800 328 4567/ http://www.nationalcar.com )
Dollar ( +1 800 800 4000/ http://www.dollarcar.com )
Flexcar ( +1 202 296 1359/ http://www.flexcar.com/undergrad )
Leaving the airport and heading north on George Washington Parkway you have numerous options ( or bridges ) depending on your destination to cross the Potomac and enter the city centre. Taxi ranks are situated outside each terminal filled with cabs from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Fares into the heart of downtown are about USD9. SuperShuttle ( +1 800 258 3826/ http://www.supershuttle.com ) has door-to-door service to numerous destinations in D.C.
A pedestrian walkway stretches from both Terminal B and C to the airport metro station ( +1 202 637 7000/ http://www.wmata.com ). A free shuttle bus will get you there from Terminal A. Both the Yellow and Blue metro lines make frequent stops at the airport station and both will cart you into downtown. Metrobuses 13G and 13F also leave from the station and slog through the central neighbourhoods.
Dulles International
( +1 703 572 2700/ http://www.mwaa.com/dulles/index.htm )
45020 Aviation Drive
Sterling, VA 20166
Most international air traffic and a substantial chunk of the long haul domestic flights touch down and take off from the runways of this sprawling complex, which seems to be in a perpetual state of construction. Four satellite concourses connect with the main terminal via "mobile loungers" ( i.e. crowded gizmos with entrances and exits at both ends that resemble wide buses ). The concourses house a virtual mega mall of news stands and Starbucks, along with an array of retail outlets, pubs, restaurants and fast food chains. Major airlines at Dulles:
Air Canada ( +1 888 247 2262/ http://www.aircanada.ca )
Air France ( +1 800 321 4538/ http://www.airfrance.com )
Air Tran ( +1 800 247 8726/ http://www.airtran.com )
Alaska Airlines ( +1 800 252 7522/ http://www.alaskaair.com )
American Airlines ( +1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com )
America West ( +1 800 235 9292/ http://www.americawest.com )
ANA ( +1 800 235 9262/ http://www.ana.co.jp )
BMI ( +1 800 788 0555/ http://www.flybmi.com )
British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297/ http://www.britishairways.com )
Continental Airlines ( +1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com )
Delta Airlines ( +1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com )
JetBlue ( +1 800 538 2583/ http://www.jetblue.com )
KLM ( +1 800 225 2525/ http://www.klm.com )
Korean ( +1 800 438 5000/ http://www.koreanair.com )
Lufthansa ( +1 800 645 3880/ http://cms.lufthansa.com )
Northwest Airlines ( +1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com )
United Airlines ( +1 800 241 6522/ http://www.ual.com )
US Airways ( +1 800 428 4322/ http://www.usair.com )
Virgin Atlantic ( +1 800 862 8621/ http://www.virgin-atlantic.com )
Ground transportation:
Rental car desks are located on the lower level of the main terminal and free courtesy shuttles zip you off to the lots. Onsite rental companies:
Alamo ( +1 800 327 9633/ http://www.alamo.com )
Avis ( +1 800 331 1212/ http://www.avis.com )
Budget ( +1 800 527 0700/ http://www.budgetdc.com )
Enterprise ( +1 800 736 8222/ http://www.enterprise.com
Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131/ http://www.hertz.com )
National ( +1 800 328 4567/ http://www.nationalcar.com )
Dollar ( +1 800 800 4000/ http://www.dollarcar.com )
If you are up for a scenic drive through some of the country's worst suburban sprawl, then follow the signs to Highway 267 and head due east. The road eventually merges with I-65 after about 16 miles, and if it is not crawling with rush hour traffic, will get you into the city centre in no time.
Washington Flyer ( +1 703 661 6655 ) operates a 24-hour taxi service from the east and west ends just outside the lower level of the terminal. They can have you standing on the White House lawn in 45 minutes for about USD45. A coach service is also available from Washington Flyer ( +1 888 927 4959/ http://www.washfly.com ) that picks passengers up from the airport and delivers them to the West Falls Church Metro Station, which is on the orange metro line. Metrobuses ( public transport ) also depart from the station. A one way ticket costs USD8; round trip USD14. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 5:45am until 10:15pm. The Metrobus 5A ( +1 202 637 2000/ http://www.wmata.com ) links Dulles with the L'Enfant Plaza station. The fare is USD2.50 and the bus service is hourly from 6:28am until 11:40pm. Greyhound Buses ( +1 888 927 4359/ http://www.greyhound.com ) network Dulles with the surrounding region, including buses simply going from the airport to the D.C. Bus station. SuperShuttle ( +1 800 258 3826/ http://www.supershuttle.com ) has door-to-door service to most places in the region.
Baltimore-Washington International ( BWI )
( +1 800 435 9294/ http://www.bwiairport.com )
7062 Friendship Road
Baltimore, MD 21240
Seasoned travelers looking for deals always check bargain flights in out of this airport situated 30 miles north of D.C. The airport more than makes up for the distance issue with excellent transit options, along with the usual convenience factors like ATMs, data ports in all telephones, a business centre, currency exchange centers, restaurants and bars and plenty of shopping outlets. An aviation museum and children's play area provide family delay diversions. Airlines include:
Air Canada ( +1 888 247 2262/ http://www.aircanada.ca )
Air Jamaica ( +1 800 523 5585/ http://www.airjamaica.com )
Air Tran ( +1 800 247 8726/ http://www.airtran.com )
American Airlines ( +1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com )
America West ( +1 800 235 9292/ http://www.americawest.com )
British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297/ http://www.britishairways.com )
Continental Airlines ( +1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com )
Delta Airlines ( +1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com )
Frontier Airlines ( +1 800 432 1359/ http://www.frontierairlines.com )
Northwest Airlines ( +1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com )
Southwest Airlines ( +1 800 435 9792/ http://www.iflyswa.com )
United Airlines ( +1 800 241 6522/ http://www.ual.com )
US Air ( +1 800 428 4322/ http://www.usair.com )
Ground transportation:
Rental car desks are located in the baggage claim area on the lower level of the terminal. Onsite companies include: Avis ( +1 800 230 4898/ http://www.avis.com ), Budget ( +1 800 527 0700/ http://www.budget.com ), Dollar ( +1 800 800 3665 ), Enterprise ( +1 800 736 8222/ http://www.enterprise.com ), Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131/ http://www.hertz.com ), National ( +1 800 227 7368/ http://www.nationalcar.com ) and Thrifty ( +1 800 847 4389/ http://www.thrifty.com ). The drive into D.C. takes about 45 minutes via the Baltimore-Washington Expressway ( I-295 ) depending on the time of day. A taxi rank is located outside the baggage area on the lower level. A taxi ride into D.C. costs about USD55. Rates are only slightly higher ( USD70 and up ) if you pre-reserve a limousine or private car through Cincola ( +1 202 737 2600/ http://www.cinicola.com ). SuperShuttle ( +1 800 258 3826/ http://www.supershuttle.com ) provides door-to-door connections for around USD25-USD32 per person. The BWI Express Bus ( B30 ) ( +1 202 637 7000/ http://www.wmata.com ), which can be caught outside the lower level every 40 minutes, links the airport with the Greenbelt Station on the D.C. metro Green line.
Free shuttles dart back and forth every 10 minutes between the airport and the BWI Train Station ( +1 410 672 6169 ), where you can hop an Amtrak ( +1 800 878 7845/ http://www.amtrak.com ) or Maryland Rural Commuter ( MARC ) ( +1 800 325 7245/ http://www.mtamaryland.com ) train bound for Washington's Union Station. Trains leave every 30 minutes at peak hours; every 50-60 minutes during off peak hours. MARC is the cheaper option at around USD5-USD10, but it only runs on weekdays. Amtrak fares start at USD19.
By Bus
Greyhound Buslines ( +1 800 231 2222/+1 202 2895154/ http://www.greyhound.com ) serves 48 states, parts of Canada and Mexico from its hub at 1005 1st Street NE, which is perched behind Union Station.
By Car
Numerous interstate highways flow into I-495 ( the Capital Beltway ), which is the major ring road around the district. I-95 stretches from Washington D.C. south all the way to Miami, Florida and north to the Canadian border in Maine, passing though New York City and Boston along the way. I-70 connects the city with the western United States, via I-270.
By Rail
Amtrak ( +1 800 878 7845/ http://www.amtrak.com ) has both traditional chug-along and limited high speed routes ( ten to be exact ) leaving and arriving from historic Union Station and reaching points around the northeastern, southern and midwestern United States. Routes include the high speed Acela Express, which darts back and forth between Boston and Washington, D.C., with stops in New York. The Federal, Regional and Vermonter also link D.C. and Boston, with stops in Philadelphia and New York City. The Metroliner is a basic line between Washington D.C. and New York City. The Capital Limited heads west to Chicago, and the Crescent wanders south to Atlanta and New Orleans.
GETTING AROUND WASHINGTON DC
Despite Washington's infamous reputation for insurmountable road bog, traffic tales tend to be exaggerated. No doubt, gridlock does exist, especially during weekday rush hours on major thoroughfares, and the Capital Beltway can easily become a parking lot anytime of the day. But despite the horror stories it is an easily navigable town, with an uncomplicated grid set up. Just be sure to pay thought to the traffic circles and the fact that certain roads ( 17th St NW, Rock Creek Parkway ) switch from two-way into one-way during rush hour commutes. Weekends ( unless something is going on at the Mall ) and nights are normally quiet when the roads turn into a ghost town after the politicos head home for the day. Parking, however, is not easy during the day even though most street parking is metered, and in the outlying neighbourhoods, Adams Morgan especially, it is literally impossible to find a spot day or night. So if you do find a space, cherish it, keep it, and utilize the excellent public transit system for the remainder of the stay.
If you're internet savy, check out http://www.hopstop.com for the quick and easy route via public transportion to get you where you want to go.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority ( WMATA ) ( http://www.wmata.com ) manages the extensive bus ( Metrobus ) and subway ( Metrorail ) system that work hand in hand to cover just about every nook of the central district and most of the neighbouring suburbs. Opened in the mid-1970s, Metrorail has long been the envy of other US cities for its upscale and efficient subway loaded with plush trains, 83 well-maintained stations ( both underground and over ground ) that look straight out of the future. But years of soaring rider traffic are creating some problems with the system's shine as it has been plagued with delays, overcrowding and outages in the last few years. Still, it is the best way to get around town, safe, and exceptionally straightforward to use. It is comprised of five lines ( Red, Orange, Blue, Green, Yellow ) that weave through the city centre before branching out into suburban Maryland and Virginia. A number of the lines overlap allowing for trouble-free transfers to Metrobus or other Metrorail lines. Major transfer hubs include: the Metro Center, L'Enfant Plaza and Gallery Place-Chinatown. System hours: 5:30am-midnight Mon-Thu; 5:30am-3am Fri; 7am-3am Sat; 7am-midnight Sun.
Although there are numerous stations on the Metrorail, they are spread out over a vast area, and although the network is quite detailed, there are still places in the city it does not serve directly ( e.g. Georgetown ) and this is where Metrobus ( or walking ) comes in handy. Most metro stations are served by multiple bus lines. For instance, if you are looking to get to Georgetown, you can catch the Orange or Blue metro line to Foggy Bottom station and then hop the D5 bus outside at Washington Circle ( or you can trek up Pennsylvania Avenue into the quarter ). You can also opt to take the Red Line to Dupont Circle station and take the G2 bus into Georgetown ( or simply hike west on P Street ). Fares for both Metrorail and Metrobus start at USD1.20. Various passes, including day and weekly, are also available.
MARC ( +1 866 543 9809/ http://www.mtamaryland.com ) suburban rail network stretches into the four counties north of Washington D.C., linking with Metrorail on the Red, Orange and Green lines, including stops at Union Station, Silver Spring, New Carrollton and Rockville. It also connects D.C. with Baltimore.
Virginia Railway Express ( VRE ) ( +1 800 743 3873/ http://www.vre.org ) has two lines ( Manassas and Fredericksburg ) that converge on Washington D.C. from the Virginia suburbs with stops at Union Station, Crystal City and L'Enfant Plaza.
D.C. has some of the cheapest cab fares in the country. This is due to the use of a zone scheme rather than meters, although meters always seem to be on the horizon. The city is divided into five main zones and eight subzones, with most fares beginning at USD4 ( minus any rush hour surcharges ) and escalating by around USD1.50 with each zone change. A map hanging in the back seat of cabs pictures the zones, but it may make little sense so it is best to get a fare quote from the driver before accepting the ride. Taxis are abundant ( some 90 companies vie for fares ) and can be hailed from the street or aquired at various ranks around town. Some cab companies include: Central Cab ( +1 202 484 7100 ), Checker ( +1 202 398 0532 ), City Cab ( +1 202 484 7100 ), DC Flyer ( +1 202 488 7611 ), Executive Cab ( +1 202 547 6351 ). |
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