Help with transporation within Washington.

Question

Hi all,

I am looking for your recommendations on transport within the Washington as per the places we need to be. I am looking for the best speed vrs cost ratio. We are there for 3 full days and will stay at the Hay-Adams.

Here is what I am thinking, would there be better alternatives?

Day 1, Thursday.

8 AM take bus 32 or 36 to Capitol, need to be there at 8:30 for 9 AM visit.

4:30 PM take bus 32 or 36 from Air and Space Museum to the Library of Congress. (we'll have walked a lot during the day already)

7:30 PM take metro silver blue or orange to Urban Roast for 8 PM reservation.

Uber back to hotel

Day 2 Friday:

taxi or uber to watergate steps

3:45 PM bus 33 from The People's House to National Archives' Museum

Day 3: Saturday

Uber/taxi to Arlington Cemetery

Uber/taxi to ElCentro in Georgetown

5 PM take bus 338 from Georgetown waterfront park to hotel.

Where would I buy bus tickets near the hotel on our arrival day? Are the bus stop easy to find?

Other suggestions?

Thank you,

Isabelle

Answer

Staying at the Hay-Adams places you in a very central location, near the White House and within walking distance of several key attractions, which gives you flexibility in transportation. Washington DC offers a mix of Metro, buses, walking, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. For your 3-day itinerary, here’s a breakdown and some tips for optimizing speed vs. cost.

General tips:

Consider using a combination of walking and Metro/bus for most days. DC is very walkable, especially around the National Mall and nearby museums.
Purchase a SmarTrip card upon arrival (at Metro stations or kiosks) which works on both Metro and DC buses. This avoids the need to buy tickets per ride and allows faster boarding.
Bus stops are clearly marked and often display route numbers and schedules. Apps like Google Maps, Transit App, or WMATA’s official app are helpful for real-time tracking.

Day 1 (Thursday):

8:00 AM: Taking bus 32 or 36 to the Capitol is fine, but since you need to be there at 8:30 AM, be sure to check the schedule the day before. Walking from Hay-Adams to a nearby Metro station and taking the Red Line to Capitol South may be slightly faster and more predictable during morning rush.
4:30 PM: Bus from Air and Space Museum to Library of Congress – again, check real-time arrivals via the WMATA app. Alternatively, a short Metro ride from Smithsonian (Blue/Orange/Silver Line) to Capitol South is faster and involves minimal walking.
7:30 PM: Metro to Urban Roast – Silver, Blue, or Orange Line from Metro Center is convenient. After dinner, Uber back to hotel is reasonable for evening convenience, especially if Metro stops are farther from your restaurant.

Day 2 (Friday):

Taxi or Uber to Watergate steps is a good choice as public transit options are indirect and may involve multiple transfers.
3:45 PM: Bus 33 from The People’s House to National Archives is workable. Ensure you allow extra time for walking and possible traffic delays. Alternatively, a short Uber could be faster if you are on a tight schedule.

Day 3 (Saturday):

Uber/taxi to Arlington Cemetery is most convenient since the Metro requires a transfer and some walking from the station to the cemetery entrance.
Uber/taxi to El Centro in Georgetown – again, convenient because Georgetown is not directly served by Metro, and buses may be slower depending on traffic.
5 PM bus 338 from Georgetown Waterfront Park to hotel – the bus is a cost-efficient choice, but ensure you check real-time arrival info, as buses can be delayed. Walking to nearby Metro stations is not an option in Georgetown, so bus or Uber is your main option.

Purchasing bus tickets:

Buy a SmarTrip card at any Metro station near your hotel (Farragut West or Farragut North are closest). Initial load can cover all rides for your stay.
Bus fare is deducted automatically when you tap your SmarTrip card upon boarding. Some buses also accept contactless credit/debit cards or mobile wallets.
Bus stops are easy to locate, marked with route numbers and signs. Real-time tracking via the WMATA app is recommended.

Other suggestions:

Walking where possible will save time and allow you to experience more of the city, especially near the Mall and monuments.
Use apps like Google Maps or Transit App for live directions and bus/Metro arrival times; these are more accurate than static schedules.
For days with multiple locations, a combination of walking, Metro, and short Uber rides often saves both time and hassle.

Overall, your plan is solid, but for the fastest travel during morning and evening periods, prioritize Metro over buses for longer legs and Uber for areas not served directly by Metro, like Georgetown or Arlington Cemetery. Having a SmarTrip card will make boarding much smoother and allow flexibility.

Help with transporation within Washington.

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