My son will be taking a course at Walter Reed from mid-April until the end of May. He is required to find his own accomodations. He may have an opportunity to stay with a family friend who lives in Bethesda. My question is: how far is it between Bethesda and Silver Spring and how bad is the drive or is there convenient municipal transportation?

Also, when my husband and I go visit him in May we are flying into Dulles (had United vouchers) and need help with best way to get from airport to hotel (still looking, lots are already sold out but hopefully will be able to get something under $200/night close to the metro) Thanks in advance for Fodorite help.

I don't think driving will be that bad. I assume his classes are in the daytime. Driving from Bethesday to Silver Spring in the morning and Silver Spring to Bethesda late afternoons will be going against ruch hour traffic both ways. The beltway should be moving well (almost to speed limits) in his directions. Another driving option if he wants to avoid the beltway altogether is Rt. 410. Hw should try both routes and see which he likes better.

Bethesda is a big area. Look at this website and enter the exact address he will be living at and "Walter Reed Hospital" for the other destination in the METRO TRIP PLANNER area on the homepage. The website will give you various public transit options.

http://www.wmata.com

For you and husband getting from Dulles to Bethesday, I think you should suck it up and just pay for a taxi or shutttle. Try to avoid both morning and afternoon rush hour M-F between these two areas.

Look at www.capitolreservations.com for hotels. Select "Bethesda" for area.

As a side note, the purpose of this board is to gather advice from the widest range of experts as possible. It is best not to solicit advice from particular posters. It's always better to ask for "DC experts" in general or some other inclusive subject title.

Best of luck.

East-West Highway is a good connector between Bethesda and Silver Spring. Your son is most fortunate in his situation.

Thank you both for your prompt response. Sounds like if his housing arrangement works out he'd be better off driving up to DC and paying the fee US Airways charges to change reservations and use the RT ticket we gave him for Xmas for another trip. Without knowing the vacinity in Bethesda, can someone approximate driving time between there and Silver Spring? Thanks again for all the help.

Very roughly speaking, about 20-30 minutes. If he's staying close to the Beltway or E-W highway (Rt. 410), then closer to 20 minutes.