Getting Around

Washington is one of the easiest U.S. cities to navigate, thanks to its comprehensive public transportation system of trains and buses. Ours is the second-largest rail transit network and the fifth-largest bus network in the country. But because Washington is of manageable size and marvelous beauty, you may find yourself shunning transportation and choosing to walk. A very good source for considering your transportation options is the website www.godcgo.com, an initiative of the D.C. government's Department of Transportation, which continually updates the information.

Transit Tip -- If you plan to use D.C.'s Metrorail and bus service a lot while you're here, you might want to do what most Washington commuters do: purchase a SmarTrip card, which is a permanent, rechargeable farecard that's way faster to use than a regular farecard -- you just touch it to the target on a faregate inside a Metro station or farebox inside a Metrobus. The SmarTrip card also replaces the now obsolete paper transfers; when you transfer from Metrobus to Metrorail, you simply flash your SmarTrip card, which discounts your fare by 50¢; when you transfer from Metrorail to Metrobus using your SmarTrip card, you're discounted 20¢. SmarTrip cards are also usable on other area transit systems, including D.C. Circulator buses and DASH buses in Old Town Alexandria. You can purchase SmarTrip cards online at www.wmata.com; at vending machines in certain Metro stations; and at WMATA headquarters (weekdays only), 600 5th St. NW, its sales office at Metro Center (weekdays only), 12th and F streets NW, or at one of many retail stores, like Giant or Safeway grocery stores. You can add value as needed at the passes/farecard vending machines in every Metro station, or even on a Metrobus, using the farebox. For more information, contact Metro (tel. 888/762-7874; www.wmata.com).

Metrorail

The Metrorail system continues to be the best way to get around the city, in spite of the fact that on June 22, 2009, a horrific train crash on the Red Line track killed nine people and injured 80. The crash pointed out, in the starkest of ways, the fact that the 36-year-old system requires repairs. In fact, a $177-million rehabilitation project had already been planned for 2010 when the crash occurred. That work is underway now and will continue for many years on the Metro system's oldest line, the Red Line.

You should expect delays on the Red Line throughout the long period of repair and maintenance, as trains travel at reduced speeds and schedules are disrupted to allow for service. As a tourist, you may not notice or be as affected as regular commuters are by these changes. For more information, contact Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA; tel. 202/637-7000; www.wmata.com). If you have concerns, you can always ride the buses, which will always be slower than the train system, but will get you wherever you want to go.

If you do ride Metrorail, try to avoid traveling during rush hour (Mon-Fri 5-9:30am and 3-7pm), since delays can be frequent, lines at farecard machines long, trains overcrowded, and Washingtonians at their rudest. You can expect to get a seat during off-peak hours (basically weekdays 10am-3pm, weeknights after 7pm, and all day weekends). All cars are air-conditioned and fitted with comfortable upholstered seats.

Metrorail's system of 86 stations and 106 miles of track includes locations at or near almost every sightseeing attraction; it also extends to suburban Maryland and northern Virginia. There are five lines in operation -- Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow, and Green. The lines connect at several points, making transfers easy. All but Yellow and Green Line trains stop at Metro Center; all except Red Line trains stop at L'Enfant Plaza; all but Blue and Orange Line trains stop at Gallery Place-Chinatown. 

Metro stations are indicated by discreet brown columns bearing the station's name and topped by the letter M. Below the M is a colored stripe or stripes indicating the line or lines that stop there. When entering a Metro station for the first time, go to the kiosk and ask the station manager for free, helpful brochures, including the Metro System Pocket Guide. It contains a map of the system, explains how it works, and lists the closest Metro stops to points of interest. The station manager can answer questions about routing or purchase of farecards. You can download a copy of the pocket guide and loads of information, including schedules, from Metro's website (www.wmata.com). The pocket guide is available in 10 languages besides English: Arabic, Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, Vietnamese, and German.

To enter or exit a Metro station, you need a computerized farecard, available at vending machines near the entrance. The machines take nickels, dimes, quarters, and bills from $1 to $20; they can return up to $4.95 in change (coins only). The vending machines labeled PASSES/FARECARDS accept both cash and credit cards. Depending on how far you're traveling, Metrorail fares range between a minimum of $1.60 and a maximum of $2.75 during nonpeak hours (Mon-Fri 9:30am-3pm and 7pm-midnight; all day Saturday until midnight; and all day Sunday) and between $1.95 and $5 during peak hours (Mon-Fri 5-9:30am and 3-7pm; Fri and Sat midnight-3am).

Metro has eight transfer hubs, and probably the busiest hub is at Metro Center, where tracks crisscross on upper and lower levels and passengers can switch to a Red, Blue, or Orange Line train; read and follow the signs carefully, or ask someone for help, to make sure you get to the right track.

If you plan to take several Metrorail trips during your stay, put more value on the farecard to avoid having to purchase a new card each time you ride. For stays of more than a few days, your best value would be the 7-Day Fast Pass, for $45 per person, which allows you unlimited travel; 1-Day Rail Passes are available for $9 per person, allowing you unlimited passage for the day after 9:30am weekdays, or all day on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. You can buy these passes online or at the Passes/Farecards machines in the stations. You can also purchase them at WMATA headquarters (weekdays only), 600 5th St. NW (tel. 202/637-7000; www.wmata.com), its sales office at Metro Center (weekdays only), 12th and F streets NW, or one of the retail stores, like Giant or Safeway grocery stores, where farecards are sold.

Up to two children ages 4 and under can ride free with a paying passenger. Seniors (65 and older) and people with disabilities (with valid proof) ride Metrorail and Metrobus for a reduced fare.

When you insert your card in the entrance gate, the time and location are recorded on its magnetic tape, and your card is returned. Don't forget to snatch it up and keep it handy; you have to reinsert your farecard in the exit gate at your destination, where the fare will automatically be deducted. The card will be returned if there's any value left on it. If you arrive at a destination and your farecard doesn't have enough value, add what's necessary at the Exitfare machines near the exit gate.

Most Metro stations have more than one exit. To save yourself time and confusion, try to figure out ahead of time which exit gets you closer to where you're going. In this guide, I include the specific exit you should use for every venue mentioned, including hotels, restaurants, and attractions. For instance, if you ride the Blue and Orange Lines to the Smithsonian stop, you'll want to exit at the Mall to visit the museums, but exit at 12th Street and Independence Avenue SW if you're headed to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Metrorail opens at 5am weekdays and 7am Saturday and Sunday, operating until midnight Sunday through Thursday, and until 3am Friday and Saturday. Note: Call tel. 202/637-7000, or visit www.wmata.com, for holiday hours and for information on Metro routes.

Know Before You Go -- Metro information for both bus and subway travel is available Monday through Friday 6am to 8:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 7am to 8:30pm. It's usually faster and easier to obtain information and purchase farecards online, at www.wmata.com, but if you don't have access to a computer, call tel. 202/637-7000 to request a free map and time schedule and find out any other details you need.

Metro Etiquette 101 -- To avoid risking the ire of commuters, be sure to follow these guidelines: Stand to the right on the escalator so that people in a hurry can get past you on the left. And when you reach the train level, don't puddle at the bottom of the escalator, blocking the path of those coming behind you; move down the platform. Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited on the Metro and in stations.

Metrobus

The Transit Authority is in the process of improving its bus system, a comprehensive operation that encompasses 1,500 buses traveling 319 routes, making 12,227 stops, operating within a 1,500-square-mile area that includes major arteries in D.C. and the Virginia and Maryland suburbs. The system is gradually phasing in the new, sleekly designed, red and silver buses that run on a combination of diesel and electric hybrid fuel, as the older, red, white, and blue buses succumb to maintenance problems and are put out to pasture. Both the old and the new buses post the bus's destination above the windshield and on the boarding side of the vehicle.

The Transit Authority is also working to improve design elements and placement of bus stop signs. For now, look for red, white, and blue signs that tell you which buses stop at that location. Eventually, signage should tell you the routes and schedules for the buses that stop there. In the meantime, the Transit Authority has inaugurated a cool new alert system that allows riders to use cellphones or PDAs to find out when the next bus is due to arrive. You simply use a cellphone to call Metro's main number, tel. 202/637-7000, then type in the seven-digit bus stop identifier that's posted on the bus stop sign to find out when the next bus is expected to arrive.

Base fare in the District is $1.70, or $3.85 for the faster express buses, which make fewer stops. There may be additional charges for travel into the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Bus drivers are not equipped to make change, so if you have not purchased a SmarTrip card or a pass , be sure to carry exact change.

If you'll be in Washington for a while and plan to use the buses a lot, consider buying a 1-week pass ($15), available online and also at the Metro Center station and other outlets.

Most buses operate daily around-the-clock. Service is quite frequent on weekdays, especially during peak hours and less frequent on weekends and late at night.

Up to two children 4 and under ride free with a paying passenger on Metrobus, and there are reduced fares for seniors (tel. 202/637-7000) and people with disabilities (tel. 202/962-1245 or 962-1100). If you leave something on a bus, on a train, or in a station, call Lost and Found Tuesday through Friday, 11am to 5pm, at tel. 202/962-1195.

D.C. Circulator -- D.C. offers a fantastic supplemental bus system that is efficient, inexpensive, and convenient. The D.C. Circulator's fleet of air-conditioned red-and-gray buses travel five circumscribed routes in the city: the north-south route between the D.C. Convention Center and the southwest Waterfront (7am-9pm daily); the east-west route between upper Georgetown and Union Station (7am-9pm daily, with a special service added between upper Georgetown and the intersection of 14th and K sts. NW, from 9pm-midnight Sun-Thurs, 9pm-2am Fri-Sat); a second Georgetown route that travels between the Rosslyn Metro station in Virginia and the Dupont Circle Metro station in the District, via Georgetown (Sun-Thurs 7am-midnight, Fri-Sat 7am-2am); the Union Station to Washington Navy Yard track (located near the Washington Nationals Ballpark, the service operates 6am-7pm weekdays, with extended hours on Nationals game days); and the route that travels between the Woodley Park/Adams Morgan Metro station and the McPherson Square Metro station (7am-midnight Sun-Thurs, 7am-3:30am Fri-Sat). Buses stop at designated points on their routes (look for the distinctive red-and-gold sign, often topping a regular Metro bus stop sign) every 10 minutes. The fare at all times is $1 and you can order passes online at www.commuterdirect.com, or pay upon boarding with the exact fare or with the use of a SmarTrip Metro card, or a D.C. Circulator pass purchased at a street meter near the bus stop. For easy and fast transportation in the busiest parts of town, you can't beat it. Call tel. 202/962-1423 or go to www.dccirculator.com.

By Car

If you're traveling to Washington as a tourist (rather than on business), you're probably planning to drive here. Most vacationing visitors do. But when you arrive, my advice is to park your car and get around on foot, by Metro, and the D.C. Circulator.

If you must drive, be aware that traffic is always thick during the week, parking spaces are hard to find, and parking lots are ruinously expensive. You can expect to pay overnight rates of $25 to $50 at hotels, hourly rates starting at $8 at downtown parking lots and garages, and flat rates starting at $20 in the most popular parts of town, like Georgetown and in the Penn Quarter when there is an event at the Verizon Center. If you're hoping to snag a metered space, better set out with a pocketful of quarters, since 25¢ buys you only 7 1/2, sometimes 15, minutes.

Gasoline, as you're well aware, is expensive everywhere. At press time, in the Washington region, the cost of gasoline (also known as gas, but never petrol), is more than $3 a gallon. Taxes are already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons.

Fill-up locations are known as gas or service stations. In the District, I can tell you of one centrally located service station that offers some of the best rates: the Sunoco White House, at 1442 U St. NW (at 15th St. NW). You'll know you've found it when you see the number of cabbies pulling up to the pumps -- always a good sign that the gas price is probably a better deal than elsewhere. For a listing of other D.C. stations selling the cheapest gas, access the local AAA website, www.aaamidatlantic.com, and go to the Fuel Price Finder function.

Watch out for traffic circles. The law states that traffic already in the circle has the right of way. No one pays any attention to this rule, however, which can be frightening (cars zoom into the circle without a glance at the cars already there). The other thing you'll notice is that while some circles are easy to figure out (Dupont Circle), others are nerve-rackingly confusing (Thomas Circle, where 14th St. NW, Vermont Ave. NW, M St. NW, and Massachusetts Ave. NW come together, is to be avoided at all costs.) Changing lanes while in the belly of the circle is especially treacherous.

Sections of certain streets in Washington become one-way during rush hour: Rock Creek Parkway, Canal Road, and 17th Street NW are three examples. Other streets change the direction of some of their traffic lanes during rush hour: Connecticut Avenue NW is the main one. In the morning, traffic in four of its six lanes travels south to downtown, and in late afternoon/early evening, downtown traffic in four of its six lanes heads north; between the hours of 9am and 3:30pm, traffic in both directions keeps to the normally correct side of the yellow line. Lit-up traffic signs alert you to what's going on, but pay attention. Unless a sign is posted prohibiting it, a right-on-red law is in effect. The speed limit within city boundaries is usually 25 mph, up to 30 mph on some streets.

To keep up with street closings and construction information, go online to the Washington Post's home page, www.washingtonpost.com, and click on "LOCAL," then "Traffic and Commuting" to learn about current traffic and routing problems in the District and suburban Maryland and Virginia. As mentioned earlier, another helpful source is the website www.godcgo.com, which covers daily transportation options, from parking to Metro service alerts.

Car Rentals -- If you need to rent a car while you're here, you have several options.

Residents and tourists alike seem to be turning to car-rental clubs that allow you more flexible car-use arrangements, whether you need a car for an hour or for a month, with parking and other services included. One such company in Washington is Zipcars (tel. 866/494-7227; www.zipcar.com), which has a downtown office at 403 8th St. NW, entrance on 8th Street (tel. 202/737-4900), and pickup locations all over town.

Here's how it works: You apply and pay an application fee plus either an annual or monthly membership fee ahead of time online, order the car online or by phone using a credit card, and establish exactly when and where you need a car. You receive a special card in the mail, which you use to activate the specific car you've reserved at the specific location, time, and day you've prearranged. The idea is that this special card unlocks the reserved car and you climb inside to retrieve the keys, following instructions you're given ahead of time. Zipcar's rates vary depending on the plan you sign up for; the lowest starting rate is $6.30 an hour and this fee covers gas and insurance.

Or, you can go the usual route and rent a car from one of the major car-rental companies. The major rental agencies are located throughout the city, including at Union Station, where Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Hertz operate. Also see airport car-rental locations.

Car-rental rates can vary even more than airfares. Check out BreezeNet.com, which offers domestic car-rental discounts with some of the most competitive rates around. Also worth visiting are Orbitz, Hotwire, Travelocity, and Priceline, all of which offer competitive online car-rental rates.

If you're visiting from abroad and plan to rent a car in the United States, keep in mind that foreign driver's licenses are usually recognized in the U.S., but you should get an international one if your home license is not in English. International visitors should also note that insurance and taxes are almost never included in quoted rental-car rates in the U.S. Be sure to ask your rental agency about additional fees for these. They can add a significant cost to your car rental. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons.

It helps to do your homework: Take the time to shop around and ask a few key questions and you might save hundreds of dollars:

• Are weekend rates lower than weekday rates? Ask if the rate is the same for pickup Friday morning, for instance, as it is for Thursday night.
• Is the weekly rate cheaper than the daily rate? Even if you need the car for only 4 days, it may be cheaper to keep it for 5.
• Does the agency assess a drop-off charge if you don't return the car to the same location where you picked it up? Is it cheaper to pick up the car at the airport or at a downtown location?
• Are special promotional rates available? If you see an advertised price in your local newspaper, be sure to ask for that specific rate; otherwise, you may be charged the standard cost. Terms change constantly.
• Are discounts available for members of AARP, AAA, frequent-flier programs, or trade unions?
• How much tax will be added to the rental bill? In the District, you'll pay a 10% sales tax, plus possible surcharges.
• What is the cost of adding an additional driver's name to the contract?
• How many free miles are included in the price? Free mileage is often negotiable, depending on the length of your rental.
• Are there extra charges if you're under 25? Note: All car-rental agencies require drivers be at least 21.

Some companies offer "refueling packages," in which you pay for an entire tank of gas upfront. The price is usually fairly competitive with local gas prices, but you don't get credit for any gas remaining in the tank. If a stop at a gas station on the way to the airport will make you miss your plane, then by all means take advantage of the fuel purchase option. Otherwise, skip it.

For information on insurance, review your own car insurance policy and contact the American Automobile Association (AAA; tel. 800/763-9900) for advice and helpful information.

By Taxi

The D.C. taxicab system charges passengers according to time- and distance-based meters. Fares may increase, but at press time, fares began at $3, plus 25¢ per each additional 1/6 mile, 25¢ per minute of wait time, and $1.50 per additional passenger. Other charges might apply, for instance, if you telephone for a cab, rather than hail one in the street, or for extra luggage or services. Note: Generally speaking, taxis accept only cash for payment, not credit cards.

Try Diamond Cab Company (tel. 202/387-4011) or Yellow Cab (tel. 202/546-7900).

For more information, call tel. 202/645-6018 or check out the D.C. Taxicab Commission's website, www.dctaxi.dc.gov. Also refer to www.godcgo.com for a full listing of D.C. cab companies.