Washington DC is a grid of streets that are walkable, but only to an extent.
There is so much to see and do in the nation’s capital, from museums and art galleries to historical monuments and top restaurants. Why waste time wondering how you’re going to get from place to place?
As you look at Washington, DC apartments for rent you may notice that there can be a learning curve to navigating the transportation system.
We’ve got you covered and will have you on your way from Point A to Point B in no time.
The Metro
This transportation system is made up of six lines and 91 that will take you pretty much anywhere you need to go within the city and to many of its suburbs.
It opens at 5 a.m. during the week and 7 a.m. on the weekends, with the last trains running until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12 a.m. on all other days.
Rates on the Metro will vary depending on the length of the trip you take. Use the Trip Planner on the WMATA website to figure out which routes are the best to take, as well as be kept aware of any delays and real-time departure and arrival information.
Buses
The Metro has 325 bus routes while the DC Circulator has five, mostly for transportation between major tourist spots like Georgetown and Union Station.
You can utilize the NextBus service to figure out when your bus will arrive. Simply enter the ID number on your bus stop to hear how long it’ll be before your bus gets there.
Bike Rentals
If you feel like getting some exercise in opt for renting a bike, most likely through Capital Bikeshare. You’ll see this bright red bikes everywhere about town.
There are 350 docking stations for them in the city. There are two membership options for rental: a 24-hour pass or a 3-day pass.
The perk here is that rides are free for the first 30 minutes, which is ample time for the majority of trips you’ll take in the city.
Likewise, you can rent a scooter or moped to get around, another economical way to get around the city.
Paying For Your Ride
The best investment you can make is in a SmarTrip card, which is reusable and can be purchased online at wmata.com. This is for transportation aboard buses and the Metro.
It costs $10 for the card initially and comes with $8 worth of fare. It can be reloaded with funds as needed.
SmarTrip users get a dollar discount on all rides and cheaper transfers when taking a bus.
Call For Your Ride
Popular rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operate in the area.
You can also go about things the old-fashioned way and hail a bright yellow cab. The Yellow Cab Company of DC can be booked ahead of time for your driving needs.
You can call for a private car service as well.
Group Transportation
Oftentimes you may be seeking a way for a large group to get around. You can rent mini buses, charter buses, and shuttles to get your group around.