More DC Questions

[100%Disney]

Still planning my family trip to DC over Christmas break. You guys were such help with my other questions, I thought I'd ask a few more.

I have decided that we aren't going to stay in DC, but VA. I'm thinking Fairfax or Falls Church. Does anyone have hotel suggestions for VA? I want clean, free parking and near a Metro. I'm looking at Courtyard by Marriott Dunn Loring in Fairfax. Does anyone know if that would be good?

Also, I'm a bit confused on the SmarTrip card, do I only need one for the four of us? And is that the best way to pay?

 

[DopeyDame]

I can't answer the hotel question, but each person needs their own Smart Trip or metro card.

Assuming you're not parking a car in a metro lot, than I wouldn't bother with a smarttrip card, I'd just get the regular paper metro cards. When you get to a metro station, they'll be a bunch of machines where you can buy the metro cards with cash or credit card. You can put enough on there for your entire trip (but then don't loose the card!) so you don't need to stop at the machines each time, but each person needs their own card to go through the gates.

Have fun!

 

[DopeyDame]

In case you haven't seen it yet, check out: http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/visitor_info/ for all you'd ever want to know about metro.

 

[100%Disney]

Thanks for the Metro answer. We plan to use the Metro to get to DC from VA. I'm not sure what transportation we would use from there to get around. Would the Metro still be the best option?

 

[PlutoPony]

Would the Metro still be the best option?

It's really going to depend on where you want to go but walking, metro, or cab are probably the easiest options for getting around. If most of what you want to see is around the Mall, you'll probably want to take metro in to one of the stops around there (like Smithsonian or L'Enfant) and walk from there. Plan on walking more than you would at WDW is our rule of thumb , plus it's by far the least expensive option.

There will likely be another metro fare increase before you go, so check their website closer to your trip to see ticket options and prices. Depending on what you want to see and do, you might find a daily or weekly pass for unlimited trips at a set price to be a good deal. The downside to those passes is that they're not good during rush hour so it does limit when you can travel. But they can be a good deal in the right situation.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

Just note that cabs add an extra $1 or $1.50 per person tot he fare for each additional rider after the first one, so for a family of 4, you'll see an extra $3 (or $4.50?) tacked on for the additional people.

With Metro, you need to really plan out your days and see what is the best price, if you are looking to ge tthe best deal price-wise. An all-day pass may be good if you are planning on hitting a few different places that are all Metro-rides apart, but if you are only going to the National Mall (Smithsonian museums, e.g.), then you only need the fare to and from your one stop. Also, rates vary during the week accoridng to rush hours (higher during morning and afternoon rush).

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Falls Church and Fairfax seem like a long metro commute for touring. I would probably stay in Alexandria or Arlington (Crystal City).

The metro was super easy to use. The only things I can think of that may be hard to get to without a car is Mt. Vernon and Udvar Hazy. I wonder if any of the hotels offer shuttles.

 

[kellyg403]

I grew up in the DC area, stayed til my 30's. The hardest part of navigating DC is traffic. Using the metro is the best option as driving in the city and finding parking that doesn't cost an arm and a leg is almost impossible! I would also recommend staying in Crystal City or somewhere like Silver Spring in MD. This will put you within easy walking distance of the metro. No buses and not having to look for parking are invaluable to your sanity in DC. You can get all day pass for the metro, with certain hours blocked out during the day. I believe last time I was home the kids and I took the metro from Springfield VA on the all day pass for about 8 bucks each, but was blacked out from 4-6 or something along those lines. We chose that as the dinner hour!

I am biased about my city, but transportation is always a hassle. Your sanity is worth the extra couple bucks. And you will save in lower fares since you are closer to the city.


Kelly

 

[scubamouse]

Falls Church and Fairfax seem like a long metro commute for touring. I would probably stay in Alexandria or Arlington (Crystal City).

The metro was super easy to use. The only things I can think of that may be hard to get to without a car is Mt. Vernon and Udvar Hazy. I wonder if any of the hotels offer shuttles.

ITA with all of this. We lived in Arlington for 5 years and whenever we go back we stay in Arlington. You have tons of good hotel options in the Rosslyn and Courthouse sections of Arlington. Metro is an easy walk there and you can walk to lots of great restaurants.

We like the Residence Inn in Courthouse and the courtyard by Marriott in Rossyln.

 

[100%Disney]

The reason I had chosen Fairfax or Fall Church is because all the hotels I looked at in Arlington had really high parking fees per night and no free internet access. Do any of you know of hotels in Arlington, near the Metro, that doesn't charge a lot for daily parking? I don't mind a small fee as long as we are really close to a Metro stop, but the fees I've been seeing are $30-$45 a day.

My mom said that when they went to DC, they drove in and did park and ride, but I really don't want to have to drive DC at all. I'm not used to driving really big cities, except Charlotte NC, and I hate driving there. I am not an aggressive driver.

I read about the trolleys and the buses that are $1 a ride. Does anyone have any thoughts on those?

 

[Mickey Fliers]

According to Trip Advisor, there are 27 hotels in Alexandria and 14 in Arlington with free parking.

Falls Church to the Mall is about 10-11 miles. Taking the metro will easily take you 45 minutes. Or...you could drive to Pentagon Row (shopping mall) and take the metro from there, but you will have to pay for parking for the day.

 

[100%Disney]

According to Trip Advisor, there are 27 hotels in Alexandria and 14 in Arlington with free parking.

Falls Church to the Mall is about 10-11 miles. Taking the metro will easily take you 45 minutes. Or...you could drive to Pentagon Row (shopping mall) and take the metro from there, but you will have to pay for parking for the day.

Thanks, I'll check Trip Advisor.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Thanks, I'll check Trip Advisor.

There is an option on the left to select "free Parking". Most of the Old Town Alexandria places look pretty good. That would be a great spot.

 

[100%Disney]

There is an option on the left to select "free Parking". Most of the Old Town Alexandria places look pretty good. That would be a great spot.

It's nice to get advice from those who know. I would be lost.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

We moved 2 years ago. Would love, love to go back. Hope you have a great time on your trip!

 

[DEA]

The reason I had chosen Fairfax or Fall Church is because all the hotels I looked at in Arlington had really high parking fees per night and no free internet access. Do any of you know of hotels in Arlington, near the Metro, that doesn't charge a lot for daily parking? I don't mind a small fee as long as we are really close to a Metro stop, but the fees I've been seeing are $30-$45 a day.

My mom said that when they went to DC, they drove in and did park and ride, but I really don't want to have to drive DC at all. I'm not used to driving really big cities, except Charlotte NC, and I hate driving there. I am not an aggressive driver.

I read about the trolleys and the buses that are $1 a ride. Does anyone have any thoughts on those?

When your mom mentioned park and ride, I would guess she meant that they drove to an outlying Metro station (like the Vienna-GMU stop on the Orange line), parked in the lot there, and then took the Metro in. You wouldn't actually need to drive IN DC to make that plan happen, but it isn't all sunshine and happiness driving in the suburbs, either, especially during rush hour(s).

Metro is probably the best way to get around, so choosing a hotel within easy walking distance to a Metro stop is an efficient strategy. The Metro line doesn't matter too much; they all coverage in the middle of the city at some point, so you can transfer lines without too much trouble.

A hint for Metro use: There is a norm on the escalators of "stand on the right, walk on the left." It lets the more... motivated users of the system walk/jog/sprint up and down the escalators on the left side, kind of like a passing lane on the highway.

For the trolleys: They seem pretty popular, but I've never used them. A lot of stuff is pretty close together, so walking will get you where you need to go. Just map out the geographic areas you want to visit. If you want to hit very distant points in one day, the hop-on/hop-off nature of the trolleys might make sense.

 

[live4christp1]

We stayed in Springfield VA. Last metro stop.....Springfield/franconia. It was the comfort inn I think, I have a trip report on here somewhere i will see if I can find it. About 25 minutes on the metro to DC. Not bad. Hotel had shuttle to take us to the metro station. Then just call them when you are ready to be picked up and they came and got us.

 

[live4christp1]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1840078&highlight=washington