Virginia and Washington DC help

[sbfrench]

We're planning on exchanging for Williamsburg, Virginia either April or May, my husband and I would also want to visit Washington DC since we've never been there. We would like to drive from Williamsburg and rent a hotel room room for 2 nights in Washington, just wondering if that's easily done, how's the drive from Williamsbrug to Washington. Also, since we would be driving and I'm sure you shouldn't drive in Washington DC where do we stay where we can easily park the car.

Or, is there a train that runs from Williamsburg to Washington.

Would appreciated any help on this subject.

[Jeni]

You have a few options. Yes, there is a train that runs from Williamsburg, but it can be fairly expensive. The drive up 95 to DC is about 2.5-3.0 hours, if you do not hit major traffic. Because traffic can be very bad, you'll want to time your drive right by avoiding rush hour.

My husband and I like to drive up to Alexandria, park where we stay, and take the Metro in and out of the city. We find the Metro to be clean and safe, so we do not hesitate to use it. We prefer this to driving in the city, but I don't think driving in DC is as bad as NYC or Boston...just my opinion. If we are only going for the day, we usually will park at Pentagon City Mall and take the Metro from there. Sometimes we stay out at Reston Town Center, especially during the winter (they have ice skating), but that is a bit out of the way and Alexandria has more historic charm.

Some hotels in the city offer some good travel packages to draw you in. If we find one of those, we drive straight to the hotel, leave the car parked, and take the Metro or a cab. Hope that helps.

Jeni

[Kathleen]

Hello SBFrench,

Try doing an advanced search using Washington DC. I think that you'll find some good info.

Kathleen

[Nancy]

The train from Williamsburg is doable and sort of fun. I probably won't save you time, just stress. Metro is normally safe, but I would be careful after 9:00 pm in certain areas. There are many hotels on or near the metro. In Alexandria there also is the Fairfield and often owners have units there for rent. It is just across the street from the metro as is the connection Hilton Hotel. There also is a Hampton Inn that isn't too far and many hotels in Crystal City area.

I live in DC area and if I wanted to tour DC, I'd take the metro.

Nancy

[sdwrdt]

Daughter and I spent a week at Shenandoah Crossings, then headed to DC for 2 nights. Got our hotel through Priceline was at the Sheraton National. They have a shuttle that runs every 1/2 hour to the nearest Metro stop. On the weekends, you can buy an all-day pass. Very reasonable cost. We were traveling after 10 pm, with no worries about our safety.

[elaine]

If I was not familiar with DC, I would probably stay outside and metro in. There are tons of hotels--it is really just a choice of price. Easiest from wllsbg is to stay on I-95, since that's the way you drive. So, you can stay around Springfield, VA at a place wth free shuttle to metro (marriotts, holiday inns, and hiltons--and ones in their chains aer all here). The benefit is that parking should be free.

Or you could stay by national (DCA) airport in crystal city, which is right outside of DC and metro in--takes about 7 minutes--again all major hotels are represented here. But you willl pay up to $20+ a night for parking. There is a great Embassy Suites right at the King street metro (Old Town ALexandria). If $$ was no object, I might pick that one.

It takes about 3 hrs from wllmsbg to DC---it's an easy drive. DC metro is easy and very safe. Dc is a very walkable city--I would pick May over April--better weather and less crowds.

[Big Matt]

If you really only want to see downtown DC and not the surrounding areas like Mount Vernon, here are my opinions and recommendations:

1) You never want to drive your car into the city to sight see because it is confusing, parking is limited, and parking is expensive.

2) You will pay up to $25 per night for parking if staying in a hotel in the district.

3) The metro is very safe and efficient if you want to go in and out of the district and from point to point in the district.

4) The metro isn't cheap if you are going to use it exclusively. You can walk to a lot in DC once you are around the Smithsonian or near the zoo.

5) Staying anywhere outside of the district will add significant time to your ability to get into the city (up to an hour commute in from say Springfield when you add shuttle to metro, wait for train, change trains, etc.).

6) Rush hours on the metro are a mess during weekdays and can be very crowded and confusing.

7) Many hotels are more expensive during the week due to business travelers.

I vote for either a) drive into the district during a weekend day and stay at a nice hotel in the middle of the action (JW Marriott, Marriott Metro Center, Hyatt, etc.) or b) take the train to Alexandria and stay in Crystal City (Gateway Marriott is nice and train station is on property).

Do the math. Any savings in time will be eroded by staying outside the city and any savings in dollars will be eroded with parking and metro costs.

[Spence]

Originally Posted by sdwrdt

On the weekends, you can buy an all-day pass. Very reasonable cost.

On weekdays too, for all travel after ~9:30am.

[SBK]

I would strongly recommend that you stay at an Old Town Alexandria hotel. They are all either a short walk or shuttle ride from Metro, the prices will be better -- and you can park your car and leave it. We have a host of excellent restaurants to walk to and a ton of colonial history to explore.

You can find out much more about Alexandria at http://www.funside.com/

You will love your stay here!

[EAM]

Some of the Williamburg timeshare resorts offer bus tours of Washington, D.C. You can see a lot of the major sights and never have the hassle of driving in DC or finding a place to park.

[sbfrench]

Thank you, now I know to definitely not drive in DC. Someone mentioned that Tysons Corner in Fairfax, Virginia would be a good place to rent a hotel for 2 nights and metro into DC, is Alexandria a better location to rent a place or is Tysons Corner?

I did a map quest and Alexandria is closer, is it a safe neighborhood to stay at?

[lisa1001]

I vote for Alexandria. It's quaint, and there are lots of hotels within walking distance to metro. There are also a lot of great restaurants. We live in Alexandria and walk around the Old Town area at night and have never felt unsafe. My first choices would be either the Embassey Suites or the Hilton. There is also a a Hampton Inn that is within about two blocks of the metro station.

[SBK]

Alexandria is very safe. Tysons is fine if you have business there, but for a tourist, you might as well be in Timbuktu.

[Big Matt]

If you don't want to stay in the district, Old Town Alexandria or Crystal City or Rossyln would be my picks. All are near the metro and each have their own distinct things to offer. Old Town is by far the most interesting especially if you have another day or two to spend there in addition to your sight seeing down town.

[Holly]

forget the burbs if you are only staying two days...stay in either central DC, Crystal City, or Alexandria. Otherwise, you will spend all of your time commuting in. You should be able to get a decent hotel on Hotels.com or Priceline in the District. Once you are in DC, so many attractions are free...I would splurge and stay in a convenient place.

Think about it..."shuttle to the metro"...sounds like a drag to me!

[MusicMan (Formerly JP)]

If you decide to stay outside of DC and commute in, I can say from experience that on Friday and Saturday nights you can get 3*+ hotel rooms (Hyatt, Marriott,etc) for somewhere between $45 and $60 per night from priceline out near Dulles airport. Business travelers keep the rates high during the week, but go home on weekends leaving MANY empty rooms. You then drive to one of the Metro parking lots to park your car and take the train into DC.

[CMF]

Train into Metro Center - a must see site - and take a cab to a downtown hotel. You can walk to all of the major museums and monuments from the downtown hotels. There are also plenty of good restaurants you can walk to, and you can always take a train if you want to check out the National Zoo (not one of my favorite places) or go to one of the hip neighborhoods like the Dupont Circle area. Leave the car behind or the horrible traffic may be the most memorable part of your vacation.

Charles

[Jeni]

Based on your last post, stay in Old Town Alexandria and take the Metro.