Getting around Washington DC

Old Jan 23rd, 2016, 06:17 PM
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Getting around Washington DC

My wife, daughter and I are going to DC in April. Which airport is best to fly into? Is there public transportation into DC? We hope to stay in an AirBnB. In what neighborhoods should we look for lodging?

Thank you

jjtravel
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Old Jan 24th, 2016, 01:21 AM
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Airport - DCA (Reagen National) only. Transportation from Dulles (IAD) or BWI (Baltimore) is annoying and long.

Early April is cherry blossom time - so accommodations may be more costly and availability less.
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Old Jan 24th, 2016, 02:06 AM
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It might help to know from WHERE you are traveling and whether or not you prefer to use a certain airline. There is more to this than the travel times from the other airports besides National IMO.
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Old Jan 24th, 2016, 04:25 AM
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You don't say where you are coming from and which of the 3 area airports you have direct access to and what the cost of tickets will be.

Agree that Reagan is the most convenient for public transit. We always stay either near Dupont Circle or the White House - but in hotels - don;t know where Air BnB has apts.
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Old Jan 24th, 2016, 07:33 AM
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I use the train to get to/from DC, and like to stay in one of the Crystal City Marriotts. You pay less tax if you stay outside DC proper, and I'm right on top of the metro. I have also stayed in the Dupont Circle area, and there are lots of restaurants plus good metro access.

There is public transport to/from all the airports, but obviously DCA is much closer and therefore quicker.
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Old Jan 24th, 2016, 08:38 AM
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Good advice above. Here's the Metro map. http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm There are many good hotels within walking distance of a Metro station. Reagan National has its own Metro station.
Depending on where you are coming from, it might make sense to come into DC on Amtrak. Union Station is on top of a large Metro station.
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Old Jan 24th, 2016, 10:00 AM
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Typically airfares into National (DCA) are higher than those into IAD or BWI. So check the fares and then factor in the to and fro costs to IAD and BWI. Taxis run close $60 from IAD to downtown. Uber and Lyft a bit less.

You can find Airbnb all over DC. Find something near a metro and then post the location for advice on it. As mentioned April is a very busy time in DC.
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Old Jan 24th, 2016, 03:18 PM
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If you fly into BWI you can take the MARC train to Union Station in DC and metro from there to your hotel/AirBnB. It's a bit arduous in that you have to take the shuttle from the airport to the train station, then the train, then the metro, but it will save money over a taxi.
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