wynnwhitehead

We are visiting Washington DC in September - have been to USA before but with a tour this is our first independent trip. We are flying into N.York and considered driving to Washington. A friend advised to stay somewhere in North Carolina and travel into Washington each day by train. My problem is this - do we drive from New York to Washington - or get a train and then hire a car after we have done the sites in Washington. Whatever the case, does anyone know of any cheap and cheerful hotels or motels in North Carolina that are near enough to travel into Washington daily. Am I even right about staying in North Carolina - we have been advised to stay the Carolina side of the Potomac. Any advise would be most welcome.

aljohnson18

You absolutely do not want to come up from North Carolina every day. That would be at least a 6 hour drive so it would take even longer by train. Virginia and Maryland border D.C. and there are plenty of hotels 10-15 miles outside of the city. And then you can just take the Metro everyday into D.C. and that wouldn't take too long or cost that much. You wouldn't need a car to get around. Besides, if you're not from D.C. you do not want to drive in that city. People are crazy drivers here and you wouldn't be able to enjoy driving around the city. There are also a lot of one way streets and it's easy to get lost if you don't know your way around. I would definitely suggest taking the Metro into the city and back if you're going to be here for a few days. I live in Northern VA and the cities right outside of D.C. where you could find some decent hotel rates and Metro access would be Falls Church, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria. You might want to check out some of those cities. Good luck!

Nepenthe

Alexandria is lovely, as well as very convenient for getting into D.C.

I would stay away from North Carolina, unless that is your ultimate destination. It is also a great place to visit, but definitely not "commutable" to/from D.C.

Nepenthe

But maybe you just got confused between Northern Virginia (an area) and North Carolina (a state)?

ruthruthruth

If you take a train from New York to Washington DC, you won't need a car in DC if you stay somewhere along a Metro line. There are hotels in the Maryland suburbs also that are close to a Metro station. For example, hotels downtown Silver Spring. Some hotels in the Cleveland Park area on Connecticut Avenue in DC might be affordable, and you could jump on the Metro there. You could even consider staying in Baltimore, Maryland along the "MARC" commuter route, if you don't mind taking the commuter train into DC every day. I don't think the trains run on weekends, though, and depending upon which line you take, some don't run during the day - only during rush hour.

nytraveler

I'm sure whoever you spoke to meant northern Virginia - North Carolina is a couple of states away. Agree to take Amtrak from NYC to DC - there are trains at least every hour and they're perfectly comfortable. If you buy tickets 14 days in advance there are discounts. Then stay in one of the nearby VA suburbs that is right on a Metro line - so no need for a car - unless you are going to explore further into Virginia (Colonial Williamsburgh, Monticello etc).

Rich

We stay at the Embassy Suites in Alexandria . . it is across th3e street from the Metro station and gives easy access to anywhere in DC

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_...ia/services.do

Christina

I think the OP just got confused in the states, as he mentioned Virginia in the title. Also, he mentioned the Potomac.

You do not need a car at all. Forget the car, just take the train down to DC and that's it. You will use the metro or buses to get around DC. Take a taxi or airport car service to the airport and leave. Unless you are going down to N Carolina after DC, and maybe that's what you mean. In which case, don't rent a car until you leave.

I'm not sure where you are from, but you never rent cars ever as a tourist to drive around capital cities in any country that I can think of. To do so is madness.

christy1

If you want to visit DC, why stay outside the city and waste time commuting each day? I wouldn't. I love staying in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of DC--there is beautiful architecture, lots of shops and restaurants, and easy access to the sights.

gelatolover

We stayed at the Clarion Collection Arlington Court Suites last year for a school competition. It's about a mile from Washington DC, and a short two blocks from the Metro Station. The hotel offers a free shuttle ride within a 1 mile radius, a free hot breakfast, free wifi/internet. Each suite comes with a full kitchen too. There were five families from our school that stayed at the hotel - we all rate the hotel very highly.

http://www.clarionhotel.com/hotel-ar...?promo=gglocal