I'll be travelling to DC for a few days in early August and wanted to ask if, just in case, there is any way to purchase discount/promotional metro passes for non-Seniors (I am a student, but not a local DC student...)? I will be in town for 6 days.

Also, what's the best way to get to Gettysburg besides the $100 tour bus that goes there from metro DC? Rental car? Any bus options or metro lines?

No student fare for you.

"Student Fares
Metro student fares are for elementary and secondary school students who live and go to school in the District of Columbia."
http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm#students

Other pass options: http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm

"what's the best way to get to Gettysburg besides the $100 tour bus that goes there from metro DC? Rental car?"

Yes, probably rental car. Metro is a local "subway" (and above ground rail) system not a commuter rail that goes farther out of the area like MARC or VRE. You might be able to google to find if any busses go to Gettysburg, but I have not heard of any.

Thanks. Yes I've been on the Metro before and just wanted to see if anyone has had luck with some kind of promotion, craigslist, etc.

Also, should we just rent a car from DCA and drive to Gettysburg for the day? That sounds easiest and most importantly, cheapest.

I would rent a car and drive so you can tour the battlefield at your leisure.

Lee Ann

Agree, renting a car from DCA to Gettysburg would be the best option.

Instead of renting at DCA, you might look at renting from a suburban location in the general direction of Gettysburg. I know there are some places in downtown Silver Spring but probably looking for any places around the Shady Grove metro station would make it easier to hop on 270 up to 15.

Not only will a rental from a suburban rental car office near the Shady Grove Metro station make it easier to get on the road to Gettysburg, but rentals from offices away from an airport are usually cheaper too.

renting from Gaithersburg would likely save u money. You will have to take the metro from DCA and change to the Red Line to Shady Grove which is the end of the Red Line. Then you'll need to get to the car rental and get to Rte 270N to get to Gettysburg. Not sure how much time u would really save doing this, but u might get a cheaper car rental.

I would get a car from DCA unless it is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to rent one in Shady Grove. How do you get from Shady Grove Metro to a rental agency? Taxi?

Unless you are leaving DC in the afternoon after 3pm (unlikely), you will be on highway the entire time AGAINST traffic. DCA is right on the G-W: Take the G-W Parkway to the Beltway to I-270 north. Very simple and quick - a lot quicker than the Metro. Just over 30 minutes from DCA to Shady Grove by car - almost an hour by Metro.

At any rate, do compare prices on the two locations.

I assumed that the OP was going to be in DC for a few days and taking a day trip to Gettysburg. Hence, my recommendation of renting from a suburban location.

"you might look at renting from a suburban location in the general direction of Gettysburg" - this could be a good option. I just wonder, if I take the metro to a suburban rental place, would it be within walking distance of a stop?

I am staying in Friendship Heights with a friend. Someone staying in Crystal City (VA right near DCA) is coming too. Thus we could start from either of those places, or meet somewhere (i.e., the rental company)...

I'll Kayak rental prices and see how location plays into price, and if the savings are worth 30 saved minutes.

Renting a Nissan Versa for a day is only $35 from almost any Enterprise location in the central area of DC (near Union Station). Looks like the best choice.

MellowFellow - Sounds like a good plan. There are car rentals in Friendship Heights, Crystal City, as well as in downtown DC (between the two). Any of those three options will work. Get an early start (i.e. as soon as the car rental opens). As I mentioned before in the morning heading toward Gettysburg, you'll be going against traffic and returning to DC in the early evening you'll again be going against traffic.