JC98

Hi, we'll be flying in to BWI and sightsee Baltimore for 1 day, and then head out to D.C. the next day. Could you please let us know which of the two options below is better or if there's a third option to consider?:

1) Rent car in BWI and drop it off next day by 10:30 a.m. in D.C. central, near Foggy Bottom metro, where it's close to our hotel in D.C. Cost $75. (How bad is the traffic going to D.C. on a weekday at that time?)

1) Rent and return to BWI. $45. Take public transportation to D.C. (Foggy Bottom metro station) with 2 carry-on luggage for 2 people. Is it a big hassle? How to go about this?

Thanks!

tmagyari

My vote- option #2. Public transport is easy from BWI and cheaper. Since you are staying near BWI (saw your post on the other thread), that makes most sense. Take free airport shuttle to MARC/Amtrak station, take MARC train to Union Station, then Metro to Foggy Bottom.

Here's the MARC train schedule:

http://mta.maryland.gov/services/mar...N_HTML_New.cfm

One way fares are 6.00 regular/5.00 student/3.00 senior

Hope you enjoy your trip!!

coxst98

Lived in Baltimore and worked in DC for years. Drove many days and took the MARC too. Always preferred the MARC. Easy if you each handle only one bag each. Take a backpack if you can. Enjoy Union Station it is beautiful!

longhorn55

I've done the trip between BWI to D.C. more times that I'd like. The traffic is not likely to be bad on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway at that time of day, but you just never know. Once you get to D.C., I think it could be pretty confusing for you (as someone unfamiliar with this area) to get over to the Foggy Bottom area.
I'd save the money and the aggravation and go with public transportation.

JC98

Thanks, all, for the good info! It looks like most people prefer to take public transportation, although one person on another thread thinks it's less hassle to drive so to avoid 3 transfers.

Thanks, cox, for pointing out the Union Station. I wasn't aware of it, and just looked it up last night. So taking public transportation would give us the opportunity to check out Union Station too. Heard there are good food there? Any thing not to miss in Union Station?

Thanks!

JC98

sorry, left out some words in the previous response: "Union Station is beautiful"

yestravel

Union Station is a beautiful building. However, the shops and restaurants there are pretty much run of the mill...the same things u might find in any mall. If you're looking for a snack or quick lunch the food court has lots of offerings-sandwich sushi, delly, cakes and parties etc..

JC98

Given the new alert for D.C. metro, would it better to drive now from BWI to D.C. to avoid any delays and hassles on the metro?

Any D.C. locals out there who could let me know how bad the metro is getting now? We'll be heading out to D.C. in 2 days. Thanks!

MikeT

No worries. Just more security. You won't notice any difference.

yestravel

No worse then usual. We're pretty good at handling these types of things in stride. Sounds like you'll be arriving just in time for some beautiful weather--enjoy!

JC98

Thanks, Mike and yestravel, for your quick response! So, we'll stick with the metro plan.

PeaceOut

Another idea is to take a private van. We had to use that option once, from D.C. airport to Baltimore residence. It was $100 for one passenger with tons of luggage. It was really the only way our daughter could get home in Baltimore, after flying from her semester in Italy. I think I just Googled it, found a vendor, and made the deal. Don't know, though, if they would want to charge you per person. Can't imagine they'd charge that much, though, per person.