1st Timer-which airport? How long?
Feb 1st, 2001, 08:56 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
1st Timer-which airport? How long?
We're planning a trip to Washington DC for March 1st. Which airport is the most convenient to fly into to see the sites? Is 3 nights enough time? It sounds like it's best NOT to rent a car. We want to do all the tourist things. Is a tour bus the best means of seeing things? Is it best to plan to be there mid week or on a weekend? Thanks for any suggestions for us "virgins". Marcie
Feb 1st, 2001, 09:58 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Marcie, Reagan (nee National) airport is very close to the city; Dulles International is way out in the country. Is 3 nights enough? Most folks would probably say no way, but it's your call, depends on your specific interests. I'd probably not rent a car and use cabs instead; parking is hard and hotel parking expensive. And I'd choose mid-week.
Feb 1st, 2001, 10:08 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Washington National (DCA) is the most convenient. There is a metro stop at the airport.
It is best to not have a car.
Might get a better hotel rate for a weekend than during the week. However, since DC is technically in the south (south of the Mason-Dixon line but hard to get sweetened tea) many things are not open Sunday morning (except churches and the zoo)
It is best to not have a car.
Might get a better hotel rate for a weekend than during the week. However, since DC is technically in the south (south of the Mason-Dixon line but hard to get sweetened tea) many things are not open Sunday morning (except churches and the zoo)
Feb 1st, 2001, 10:50 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
By all means fly into National. Into the city of DC, it's about 10 minutes and $12-$15.
Dulles is 40 minutes away, with travel through heavy traffic in Va. The current fare runs $50 each way.
Your best strategy in DC: look on a map and locate everything you wish to see. Prioritize. You'll end up with there sets of places to visit: near the Mall, further away in DC (e.g., the pandas at the zoo), and outside DC in Va. and possibly Md.
Use the Metro (subway) as much as necessary. Cheap and conveneient, reular times or rsuh hour.
Personally, tour mobiles may end up being an expensive waste of your precious time in DC - you can end up killing a lot of time waiting for them.
Plan to walk as much as possible. And use the subway. You can easily cover everything adjacent to the Mall on foot, and think about the most convenient subway stations, such as Smithsonian.
Use taxi cabs for out of the way places in DC, such as the zoo. Taxis in DC are very cheap, and easy to get - no lines usually.
As far as renting a car: that will depend on the out of town trips, such as down to Mount Vernon. If you rent a car, do your driving between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and avoid major roads during rush hour.
Now, how you cover DC will depend on whether you stay downtown (near a subway, hopefully), or out in Va. (near a subway station such as King Street in Alexandria). If you plan to stay in Va., and plan to spend most of your time in downtown DC, by all means stay within walking distance of the subway. Use it to get downtown each day.
If you have only three days, definitely set priorities. And if you want to see the White House, contact your member of Congress now and get the tickets.
Good luck.
Dulles is 40 minutes away, with travel through heavy traffic in Va. The current fare runs $50 each way.
Your best strategy in DC: look on a map and locate everything you wish to see. Prioritize. You'll end up with there sets of places to visit: near the Mall, further away in DC (e.g., the pandas at the zoo), and outside DC in Va. and possibly Md.
Use the Metro (subway) as much as necessary. Cheap and conveneient, reular times or rsuh hour.
Personally, tour mobiles may end up being an expensive waste of your precious time in DC - you can end up killing a lot of time waiting for them.
Plan to walk as much as possible. And use the subway. You can easily cover everything adjacent to the Mall on foot, and think about the most convenient subway stations, such as Smithsonian.
Use taxi cabs for out of the way places in DC, such as the zoo. Taxis in DC are very cheap, and easy to get - no lines usually.
As far as renting a car: that will depend on the out of town trips, such as down to Mount Vernon. If you rent a car, do your driving between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and avoid major roads during rush hour.
Now, how you cover DC will depend on whether you stay downtown (near a subway, hopefully), or out in Va. (near a subway station such as King Street in Alexandria). If you plan to stay in Va., and plan to spend most of your time in downtown DC, by all means stay within walking distance of the subway. Use it to get downtown each day.
If you have only three days, definitely set priorities. And if you want to see the White House, contact your member of Congress now and get the tickets.
Good luck.
Feb 1st, 2001, 05:52 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
National (always will be to me but does go by another name as well) has the Metro outside the terminal. I have taken it and rented a car--both are fine. The only problem with a car is finding a parking place near the major sites--use the Metro when siteseeing. Taking a tour will acclimate you and then you can return to the places you want to see again. Smithsonian can take days if you let it. If you want to see Congress in action, mid week; of course, staying over Saturday night usually has cheaper air fare.
Feb 2nd, 2001, 05:20 PM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
And when you fly to Houston do you avoid Bush International Airport as well (Hobby is a weak alternative).
Lots of people didn't like the Kennedys, but I don't recall what the airport was named before it was Kennedy Int'l.
Waaaay too much whining/bickering/pettiness in this country!
Lots of people didn't like the Kennedys, but I don't recall what the airport was named before it was Kennedy Int'l.
Waaaay too much whining/bickering/pettiness in this country!
