Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)

Car Rentals: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty have 24-hour service at both airports. There is a confusing web of roads exiting the airport by rental car, so use caution and follow the signs EXIT TO WASHINGTON to get to the George Washington Parkway (I-395).  If you are driving Downtown, watch for the fast approaching 14th Street North exit.  If you miss that exit, there is another northbound exit shortly afterwards.

Taxis: Diamond and Yellow cabs at the ground transportation level are plentiful. Super Shuttle (800-258-3826) is available for the short ride downtown.

Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Car Rentals: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty have 24-hour service at both airports.

Shuttle:  Catch the Washington Flyer (703-685-1400) motorcoach from Dulles Airport to Downtown for $16 or purchase a $26 round trip ticket.

Taxis: Follow signs to taxi stands outside the greeting terminal where a dispatcher will give you a rate sheet for estimated costs downtown, northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland. If you are going from Dulles Airport to Downtown, expect to pay $45-48. You can get a taxi outside of each terminal where a dispatcher is present at each taxi stand. From National Airport to most points downtown, expect to pay $15-17.

Union Station, an architectural marvel, teems with upscale shops, restaurants, and a cineplex making it a huge tourist destination in its own right. Union Station hosts these train routes:

Amtrak Acela: DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC-New Haven-Providence-Boston
Amtrak Crescent: NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC-Charlotte-Atlanta-New Orleans
Amtrak Palmetto/Silver: NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC-Jacksonville-Miami
Amtrak Carolinian: NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC-Richmond-Raleigh-Charlotte
Amtrak Cardinal: NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC-Cincinnati-Indy-Chicago
Amtrak Vermonter: St Albans-Burlington-NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC
Amtrak Capitol Limited: DC-Pittsburgh-Cleveland-Toledo-Chicago

The showcase high speed line, Amtrak Acela, covers the DC-NYC distance in only 2 hours 48 minutes with fantastic amenities. Metrorail trains, MARC (Maryland) commuter trains and VRE (Virginia) commuter trains also depart from 24/7 active Union Station. Tour buses and a large taxi stand are outside.

Metrorail is a state of the art system consists of 5 lines that intersect at hub stations covering 105 miles of track and transports over 500,000 people daily.  Only New York, Chicago and Boston transport more rail commuters.  Metrorail runs from 5:30a-12p Monday-Friday and 8a-12p Saturday-Sunday. Clean, modern, dependable and efficient, it takes you to the places every visitor wants to see, except Georgetown. The transit lines are:

Orange – New Carrolton to L’Enfant Plaza to Vienna/Fairfax
Blue – Addison Road to L’Enfant Plaza to Franconia/Springfield
Red - Glenmont to Union Station to Shady Grove
Yellow – Mt Vernon Square to L’Enfant Plaza to Huntington
Green – Greenbelt to Gallery Place/Chinatown to Branch Ave

Metrorail fares depend on where you go and there is a price premium during rush hour.  Visitors should purchase a, one-day, weekend or fixed dollar amount Farecard to avoid the cumbersome fare scheme. Two children up to age 4 travel free with a paying customer. Metrorail is ADA compliant, has good station and system maps and signage, though elevators are sometimes difficult to locate. If you are going to Georgetown, Metrobus may be you best non-driving option.  For convenience, ask the Metrorail station teller for a Flashpass to Metrobus, which also comes in handy for several tourist destinations.

Maryland Commuter Rail (MARC) features weekday trains to Baltimore depart from Union Station every 30-40 minutes in evening commute and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) weekday commuter trains also depart Union Station every 30-40 minutes during evening commute. These commuter rail systems have a cross train agreement making it easy to change systems at Union Station.  Both commuter train systems are easily accessible from Metrorail at Union Station.