We'll be in DC for 5 days starting 7/3. Since we will not have a car, we'll have to rely on public transportation. I checked the wmata web site and was hoping I could get a metrobus+metrorail combo pass for a day or a week. But all they have is a monthly one for students. We are staying at Marriott at Metro Center so I think we'd use the subway a lot. But sometimes it's nice to ride on the bus, more to see.

Passes are nice because we don't have to worry about change or tokens plus no penalty if we get on the wrong bus/subway. (Believe me, we're speaking from experience here!) Husband said during the hot days, subways are a nice way to cool down.

So my question is do I need a pass or should we get a farecard?

carcass:

I'd prefer the metro to any of the bus in the city. I've commuted on them and if you are playing tourist and staying at Metro Center all the lines basically connect there just get a $20 farecard to get around. D.C. is a very easy city to walk around. I'd go get tickets to the Tourmobile if you just want to jump on and off to get to and from tourist sites before I'd take a bus anywhere. Just my opinion.

While I take a Metrobus everyday, I agree that it's unlikely you will need a metro/bus pass. Most of the places you want to go will either be on Metro or you could take the new Circulator bus.

The one exception is if you want to go to the National Cathederal. There, you'd want to take a city bus. And it's actually a lovely ride from DuPont Circle, through Embassy Row, by the Naval Observatory where the VP lives, passed the Greek Orthodox Cathederal, and then to the National Catherdral.

I've used a number of the buses, but I do not buy a bus-pass. In most instances where I've used a bus, it was at the destination of my Metro-rail trip. If you pick up a transfer voucher/ticket from the dispenser (at the top of the escalator that goes down to tracks) at the station you ENTER the Metro at, you can ride most buses from near the destination station for 35 cents. That's how I got to the National Cathedral, for example. I make it a practice to always get a voucher, "just in case".

For your 5 day stay, you could get the 7 day "short trip pass" for $22. Valid for seven consecutive days for Metrorail trips costing up to $2.20 between 5:30-9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on weekdays. Pass is valid for any rail trip at other times. If trip costs more than $2.20, you must use the Exitfare machine to pay additional fare.

I've never taken a trip on the short-trip pass that required extra funds.

Hi,

I think it would depend on how much you like to walk. An "anytime" pass for a week is $32.50. If you take one round trip on metro a day, it will cost less than that. If you are going to use it several times a day, and for longer distances, it might be worth it to get a pass.

From your hotel, I would walk to all the monuments, museums, White House, Ford's Theatre etc. But those are not necessarily short walks.

You'd want to metro to Dupont Circle (if you want to go there for dinner one night), the zoo, the National Cathedral (as discussed by others), to get close to Georgetown etc.

Note that on 7/4, the city will be MOBBED. Metros will be packed. The mall will be a zoo and monuments will be overrun with siteseers and people there for the the fireworks. It's a fun time, but it's a little nutty here that day.

Karen
P.S. I live in DC and am LEAVING on 7/3 to go out to AZ/UT.

"kaudrey" is absolutely correct in that you should try to figure out just how much you will be taking the Metro. Sometimes it's cheaper to pay "per ride" than to use a pass. Or pay per ride some days and use the $6.50 visitor pass on others.

Should you decide to do "per ride", then try to figure the total price of those rides will be: for example $18.70 ... well just purchase a farecard for $18 the first time you use the Metro. Add to it if you must, but avoid paying for tickets for each trip you make; you'll spend all your time in front of the tix vending machine!

The 7-day $22 pass will almost certainly pay for itself. As an alternative to the Metro buses, take the $1 Circulator bus, which goes to Georgetown and a few places that don't have subway stops as well as providing an econcomical tour of the city.