Staying in Arlington, Crystal City or Alexandria ??

Question

Hi,

Planning a last minute trip to DC, for the weekend after next when the TX Rangers are in town - plan on watching the entire series, so tbh we won't have much time to do much else as two are day games. Will be flying in and out of DCA, staying 2 nights, Fri to Sun. Have been to DC before, couple, 30s.

Planning this trip on a budget. Looking for hotel recs. Ideally would love to spend $175 a night including taxes etc... I know the Navy Yard is right by the stadium, but hotel prices are too high. We recently came back from Chicago, and it took 30 mins on the El to get from The Loop area to Rate Field everyday, so happy with a 30min commute time daily to the stadium.

What are the towns/neighborhoods of Arlington, Crystal City - this one seems convenient as it one stop from DCA, however most hotels I am looking at are a 15-20min walk to metro station. Alexandria seems like a nice town to stay in, just too far out?

I imagine would probably just be best to buy the 3 pass for the metro as well?

Many thanks

Answer

For a short, baseball-focused weekend in DC with budget considerations, Arlington, Crystal City, and Alexandria all have their pros and cons. Since your main goal is getting to the stadium (Nationals Park at Navy Yard) quickly, proximity to Metro stations and travel time will be the most important factors.

Arlington: This is a great middle-ground option. Depending on where you stay, neighborhoods like Courthouse, Rosslyn, and Clarendon are generally within a 5–15 minute walk to Metro stations. The commute to Navy Yard is about 25–30 minutes via the Orange/Silver line to the Stadium-Armory stop, with a transfer to the Blue/Yellow line if needed. Arlington also has a variety of hotels in your price range, especially outside peak areas like Rosslyn.

Crystal City: This neighborhood is extremely convenient for your situation. It’s only one Metro stop from DCA, and a direct ride to L’Enfant Plaza and then a short transfer to get to the stadium. If you’re willing to walk 15–20 minutes to a Metro station, you can still easily manage the commute. Crystal City is more compact than Arlington, so hotels may be denser, but the walking distance to dining options can be a bit longer depending on where you stay.

Alexandria: While Old Town Alexandria is charming and has restaurants and shops, it is further out from the stadium. The commute will likely be 35–45 minutes each way unless you stay near the King Street Metro station. If budget is your priority, this could offer slightly cheaper hotels, but the extra travel time each day might make the baseball-focused weekend feel more rushed.

Arlington: Good mix of hotel options, walkable to Metro, ~25–30 minutes to stadium.
Crystal City: Very convenient for Metro, direct line from DCA, slightly longer walks to hotels in some cases.
Alexandria: Nice historic town, potentially cheaper hotels, but longer commute (~35–45 min) and slightly less convenient for a baseball-focused weekend.

Other tips:

Buying a 3-day Metro pass is highly recommended. It will cover unlimited rides on the Metrorail and Metrobus, which is convenient for a short trip with multiple daily trips.
Check for hotels within 5–10 minutes of a Metro station. Even a slightly longer walk may be worth the savings if the Metro commute is simple.
Since your schedule is primarily baseball games, prioritize convenience to the stadium and Metro over amenities or scenery. Arlington or Crystal City are both strong options for that.

In summary, for your goals and budget, Arlington is a balanced choice, Crystal City is slightly more convenient if you don’t mind walking to some hotels, and Alexandria is the least convenient for daily commutes. With a 3-day Metro pass, either Arlington or Crystal City will make for an easy and stress-free baseball weekend.

Staying in Arlington, Crystal City or Alexandria ??

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