GETTING TO DC ... BY AIR
Three airports serve the Washington DC metro area:
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (code DCA, often referred to simply as "National") (http://www.metwashairports.com/national/) is approximately 14 miles from the hotel. It is the only one of the three airports with access to the Metro (subway).
From the airport you can reach the hotel in the following ways:- Metro: The DC Metro is clean and convenient and generally quite accessible, with (relatively) good elevator service. There is a Metro station at the airport, easily accessible from the main terminal. The Yellow and Blue lines stop at this station. To get to the hotel, you will have to change to the Red line. The fare during normal hours is $3.10, and the trip should take about 35-40 minutes (a little longer for the Blue line).
For the Yellow line: take a train toward Mount Vernon Square/Convention Center. At the Gallery Place/Chinatown station (approximately 6 stops), get off and change to the Red line toward Glenmont. Get off at the Silver Spring station (approximately 8 stops).
For the Blue line: take a train toward Largo. At the Metro Center station (approximately 8 stops), get off and change to the Red line toward Glenmont. Get off at the Silver Spring station (approximately 9 stops).
The hotel is approximately 1/4 mile from the station; you can walk to the hotel, call the hotel shuttle to pick you up, or take a cab (about $8.00).
- Shuttle: The SuperShuttle (http://www.supershuttle.com) offers door-to-door service to and from the airport. Shuttles operate on a shared ride-on-demand basis. Service between the airport and the hotel costs $25 for the first passenger and $8 for each additional passenger.
For service from the airport to the hotel, reservations are not required. Claim your luggage, then go to the outside curb of the airport and look for the SuperShuttle representative. After hours, call 1-800-258-3826 and press 1 for dispatch or 2 for reservations, which will transfer you to dispatch.
For service from the hotel to the airport, you must make a reservation, preferably at least 24 hours in advance, on the SuperShuttle website or by calling 1-800-BLUE VAN (1-800-258-3826) or (202)296-6662.
- Cab: A cab from the airport will cost about $40 and take from 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic and time of day.
- Rental car: You can rent a car and drive. This should take about the same amount of time as a cab. See the driving section for directions, parking information, etc.
You can get more information about ground transportation options from National Airport at http://www.metwashairports.com/national/ground.htm.
- Metro: The DC Metro is clean and convenient and generally quite accessible, with (relatively) good elevator service. There is a Metro station at the airport, easily accessible from the main terminal. The Yellow and Blue lines stop at this station. To get to the hotel, you will have to change to the Red line. The fare during normal hours is $3.10, and the trip should take about 35-40 minutes (a little longer for the Blue line).
- Dulles International Airport (code IAD) (http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles/) is approximately 25 miles from the hotel. From Dulles you can reach the hotel in the following ways:
- Shuttle: The SuperShuttle (http://www.supershuttle.com) offers door-to-door service to and from the airport. Shuttles operate on a shared ride-on-demand basis. Service between Dulles and the hotel costs $30 for the first passenger and $8 for each additional passenger.
For service from the airport to the hotel, reservations are not required. Claim your luggage and go down the ramps located near either of the escalators, towards Ground Transportation/Shared Ride Vans. SuperShuttle ticket counters are located on the lower level, just before exiting the building. Go to the outside curb of the airport and contact the SuperShuttle representative. After hours, call 1-800-258-3826 and press 1 for dispatch or 2 for reservations, which will transfer you to dispatch.
For service from the hotel to the airport, you must make a reservation, preferably at least 24 hours in advance, on the SuperShuttle website or by calling 1-800-BLUE VAN (1-800-258-3826) or (202)296-6662.
- Bus:
- The Washington Flyer Coach Service (http://www.washfly.com) runs between Dulles Airport and the West Falls Church Metro station every half hour. Travel time is 20 minutes, and the fare is $8 each way. Tickets to get from the airport to the Metro can be purchased at the airport; tickets to get from the Metro to the airport can be purchased on the coach.
The West Falls Church Metro station is on the Orange line. To get to the hotel, you will have to change to the Red line. Take the Orange Line toward New Carrollton. At the Metro Center station (approximately 10 stops), get off and switch to the Red Line toward Glenmont. Get off at the Silver Spring station (approximately 9 stops). The fare during normal hours is $3.70, and the trip should take about 45 minutes.
The hotel is approximately 1/4 mile from the station; you can walk to the hotel, call the hotel shuttle to pick you up, or take a cab (about $8.00).
- The 5A bus (http://www.wmata.com/timetables/view.cfm?line=49) runs between Dulles airport and the Rosslyn Metro station every hour. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes, and the fare is $3.00 each way.
The Rosslyn Metro station is on the Orange line. To get to the hotel, you will have to change to the Red line. Take the Orange Line toward New Carrollton. At the Metro Center station (approximately 4 stops), get off and switch to the Red Line toward Glenmont. Get off at the Silver Spring station (approximately 9 stops). The fare during normal hours is $2.65, and the trip should take about 30 minutes.
The hotel is approximately 1/4 mile from the station; you can walk to the hotel, call the hotel shuttle to pick you up, or take a cab (about $8.00).
- The Washington Flyer Coach Service (http://www.washfly.com) runs between Dulles Airport and the West Falls Church Metro station every half hour. Travel time is 20 minutes, and the fare is $8 each way. Tickets to get from the airport to the Metro can be purchased at the airport; tickets to get from the Metro to the airport can be purchased on the coach.
- Shuttle: The SuperShuttle (http://www.supershuttle.com) offers door-to-door service to and from the airport. Shuttles operate on a shared ride-on-demand basis. Service between Dulles and the hotel costs $30 for the first passenger and $8 for each additional passenger.
- Cab: Washington Flyer Taxicabs (which take all major credit cards) operate out of Dulles. A cab from the airport will cost about $50-$60 and take about 45 minutes, possibly significantly longer during evening rush hour.
- Rental car: You can rent a car and drive. This should take about the same amount of time as a cab. See the driving section for directions, parking information, etc.
You can get more information about ground transportation options from Dulles at http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles/ground.htm.
- Train:
- MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ONLY, you can take a free shuttle bus service from the airport to the BWI Rail Station to catch the MARC train Penn line (http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/schedulesSystemMaps/penn.cfm), which runs between the BWI Rail Station and the Union Station Metro station every hour. Travel time is approximately one hour, and the fare is $6.00.
- Amtrak trains (http://www.amtrak.com) run regularly between BWI Airport and the Union Station Metro station. Travel time is 30 minutes, and the fare is $14-$36.
For both MARC and Amtrak trains, you will need to take a free airport shuttle between the airport and the train station.
The trains take you to the Union Station Metro station, which is on the Red line, the same line as the hotel. To get to the hotel, take the Red Line toward Glenmont. Get off at the Silver Spring station (approximately 6 stops). The fare during normal hours is $2.20, and the trip should take about 15 minutes.
The hotel is approximately 1/4 mile from the station; you can walk to the hotel, call the hotel shuttle to pick you up, or take a cab (about $8.00).
- Shuttle: The SuperShuttle (http://www.supershuttle.com) offers door-to-door service to and from the airport. Shuttles operate on a shared ride-on-demand basis. Service between the BWI and the hotel costs $30 for the first passenger and $10 for each additional passenger.
For service from the airport to the hotel, reservations are not required. Go to the lower level to claim your luggage and follow signs to the SuperShuttle desk located between bag claims 6 and 7. The ticket counter is open between the hours of 6:00 AM and 2:00 AM. During other times call 1-888-826-2700 to arrange service.
For service from the hotel to the airport, you must make a reservation, preferably at least 24 hours in advance, on the SuperShuttle website or by calling 1-800-BLUE VAN (1-800-258-3826) or (202)296-6662.
- Bus: The BWI Express/B30 bus (http://www.wmata.com/timetables/view.cfm?line=165) runs between BWI and the Greenbelt Metro station every 40 minutes. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes and the fare is $3.00 each way.
To get to the bus, claim your luggage and go to the lower level of the International Pier. Follow the signs that say "Public Transit." The B30 will pick you up outside at the bus shelter.
The Greenbelt Metro station is on the Green line. To get to the hotel, you will have to change to the Red line. Take the Green Line toward Branch Ave. At the Gallery Place/Chinatown station (approximately 11 stops), get off and switch to the Red Line toward Glenmont. Get off at the Silver Spring station (approximately 8 stops). The fare during normal hours is $2.55, and the trip should take about 20-25 minutes.
The hotel is approximately 1/4 mile from the station; you can walk to the hotel, call the hotel shuttle to pick you up, or take a cab (about $8.00).
- Cab: A cab from the airport will cost about $50-$60 and take about 35-40 minutes, possibly significantly longer during morning rush hour.
- Rental car: You can rent a car and drive. This should take about the same amount of time as a cab. See the driving section for directions, parking information, etc.
You can get more information about ground transportation options from BWI at http://www.bwiairport.com/ground_transportation/.
Hello
BY TRAIN
Amtrak trains (http://www.amtrak.com) run regularly from all locations, particularly the northeast corridor (Washington to Boston), to and from Union Station, the primary train station for Washington DC.
MARC trains (http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/) run MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ONLY between various parts of Maryland (and a bit of West Virginia) and Union Station.
Union Station has its own Metro station on the Red line, the same line as the hotel. To get to the hotel, take the Red Line toward Glenmont. Get off at the Silver Spring station (approximately 6 stops). The fare during normal hours is $2.20, and the trip should take about 15 minutes.
The hotel is approximately 1/4 mile from the station; you can walk to the hotel, call the hotel shuttle to pick you up, or take a cab (about $8.00).
Hello
BY BUS
Greyhound buses (http://www.greyhound.com/) arrive in DC approximately three blocks from Union Station; some buses stop at Union Station. For those that don't, you must take a westbound D4 bus (http://www.wmata.com/timetables/view.cfm?line=80) from the bus terminal to Union Station, which runs approximately every 25 minutes.
Union Station has its own Metro station on the Red line, the same line as the hotel. To get to the hotel, take the Red Line toward Glenmont. Get off at the Silver Spring station (approximately 6 stops). The fare during normal hours is $2.20, and the trip should take about 15 minutes.
The hotel is approximately 1/4 mile from the station; you can walk to the hotel, call the hotel shuttle to pick you up, or take a cab (about $8.00).
Hello
BY CAR
Post on the Mailing List or reply to this post on the Livejournal.
The hotel is located due north of Washington, DC, just over the border into Silver Spring, Maryland. The Beltway (495) encircles DC and hooks into I-95 to the northeast and southwest.
Driving in the DC area, particularly downtown DC, can be confusing, and the traffic can be horrendous. Parking can also be difficult (see the parking section). Our recommendations: drive with a friend who can navigate for you and keep an eye out for street-signs and landmarks, and do everything possible to avoid morning and evening rush-hours, particularly if you are going to be driving on the Beltway (route 495). Rush-hour can be bad in any direction, but on the Beltway north of DC the "outer loop" (going west toward northern Virginia, counter-clockwise) is especially bad during morning rush hour, and the "inner loop" (going east toward Baltimore, clockwise) is especially bad during evening rush hour.
If you are coming east on the north section of the Beltway - ie, from northern Virginia (the "outer loop," clockwise direction), take the Georgia Avenue exit (exit 31) south. Go about one mile. The hotel will be the first highrise on the left as you enter downtown Silver Spring.
If you are coming west on the north section of the Beltway - ie, from Baltimore or eastern Maryland (the "inner loop," counter-clockwise direction), take the Colesville Road/Rte. 29 exit (exit 30B) south. Go approximately 1.75 miles. Turn right on Georgia Avenue (a major light in downtown Silver Spring). The hotel will be about 1/4 mile on your right
If you are coming from downtown DC, take 16th street north. About 5 miles from downtown, when you get to a circle-like intersection (just past Portal Street), bear diagonally right and follow the signs for 384/Colesville Road. The third light will be Georgia Avenue; however, you can't turn left on Georgia. Instead, turn right at the second light, Wayne Avenue, and then turn left on Georgia from Wayne. Follow Georgia back across Colesville Road. The hotel will be about 1/4 mile past Colesville on your right.
If you are coming from the airports:
- National (airport code: DCA): Directions and map
- Dulles (airport code: IAD): Directions and map
- BWI (airport code: BWI): Directions and map
You can also find driving directions to and from the airports on the airport websites (Reagan National, Dulles, and BWI).
You can find directions to and from the hotel on the relevant section of the hotel website (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/direction/wasss).
Other sources for directions include: Google maps (http://maps.google.com/), Yahoo maps (http://www.maps.yahoo.com), and Mapquest (http://www.mapquest.com). (Google and Yahoo are better for airport directions, because they let you use the airport codes as starting and ending points).