Transportation

Metro

• Affordable and fast, especially when commuting from the suburbs to downtown
• Some neighborhoods do not have a Metro station, e.g Georgetown
• A Metro Card is needed to access the Metro
• The DC Metro and Bus app is the most reliable tool to help you plan your transportation in the city

Bus

• Buses cover areas without Metro access
• Practical for shorter distances and for getting to a Metro station
• The DC Circulator is a bus system that is particularly useful for getting around downtown
• Your Metro Card will allow you to pay for busses, too
• The WMATA website has a trip planner feature useful for choosing the best bus route for a trip. Also look for phone apps that list when buses will arrive at a given stop

Uber/Lyft

• Although often faster and more comfortable than Metro/bus, these services are generally more expensive. Be mindful of sur-charging for peak transit times such as 2-3 AM on Friday and Saturday nights.
• However, the ride sharing functions “Uber Pool” and “Lyft Lines” are often only marginally more expensive than Metro/bus for short/medium distances
• When you download Uber/Lyft, have a friend refer you for him/her to get a voucher and do the same with other friends who haven’t downloaded the app yet

Capital Bikeshare

• Cheap and fun way of getting around in the DC ($2 for <30 min)
• Since there is usually a lot of traffic in DC which can make cycling dangerous, be sure you are used to cycling in a city and ride with caution.

Regional Trains

• The MARC Train commuter rail runs from Union Station and services Maryland and West Virginia.
• Locations of interest include BWI Airport, Baltimore, Frederick, and Harpers Ferry
• Amtrak trains from Union station provide affordable service to cities throughout the country

Air Travel

• Ronald Reagan National Airport, BWI Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport can all be reached via public transportation.

Scooters

• Be on the look-out for scooters on sidewalks. Scooters are provided by a variety of companies.
• Electric scooters are widely available throughout the city.
• Convenient pay system. Relatively inexpensive, they can be used for quick, short distances.