Need help with Wash DC Metro

[McKelly]

We are thinking of traveling to DC for six nights this summer. We "think" this will be a reasonable vacation since most things are free, but after looking at hotel prices I am not so sure!! Yikes! I was thinking of staying in the Arlington area (if anyone has any advice on ~$200.00 hotels let me know!) but obviously we would have to Metro into DC everyday.

What would be the best way to handle the Metro, should I just buy four week long Fast Pass Metro cards - would that be the most time and cost efficient? I think they are $40.00 a piece, would I be paying too much money if I did that? And if I buy those, are those limited to times? There was another pass that you couldn't use until after 9:30am, that seems like a late start of a day. Please share your advice. Thanks!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I think it depends on your style. If you're the type that will ride the metro downtown and then walk the rest of the day, and then ride it back to your hotel, I'd probably just put $20 on farecards or smartcards (if you're going to be parking at the metro). On the other hand if you're going to be averaging 3 or more trips today (e.g. maybe go down in the morning, and then take the metro from one end of the mall to the other, or do museums in the morning, zoo in the afternoon and then head to the Kennedy Center for a free concert) then the $39 is a great deal.

As for hotels, I really like the Embassy Suites in the Chevy Chase Pavillion at Friendship Heights (Friendship Heights is right on the line between MD and DC) -- it's in the same building as the metro -- you don't need to go outside, plus there's a bunch of options for eating around there, like Cheesecake factory, a nice Italian place, etc . . again without going outside, and they have a nice little pool. It's regular rate seems to be about $280, but maybe you can find a special?

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

My sister just moved to Alexandria and we rode the metro when I visited her a couple of weeks ago. The guy working told us the week long/day long passes are a waste of money, unless you're hopping on and off many many different times during the day. My sister does her AM and PM commute on the metro, and she doesn't even bother with the week long passes. I'm not sure about the passes being limited to certain times, but it's a possibility because the metro rates jump up during the AM and PM commutes (not sure on the AM hours, but PM is I think 5-7pm). They have maps that tell you how much it will cost to get to each different station, or you can even ask one of the attendants.

 

[lvanleer]

regular fares(or rush hour) fares are opening to 9:30 am and 3-7 pm on weekdays and 2 am to closing on the weekends......reduced fares are in effect at all other times....per the WMATA website.