New York City was the original capital of the burgeoning United States of America before it was moved 225 miles south to Washington, D.C. For a comprehensive U.S. history tour, seeing both major cities is practically obligatory.
The fastest and most comfortable way to go is by taking the train. Book in advance, the price is reasonable, but if you wait too long, it will get expensive. The bus is the cheapest way to travel. If you have a car, the drive is direct but often backed up with traffic, and parking in either city is more trouble than it's worth. Flying from New York to Washington, D.C. is not a good idea; it's expensive and takes longer than the bus or train.
How to Get From New York City to Washington, DC | |||
---|---|---|---|
Time | Cost | Best For | |
Train | 3 hours | from $27 | Easy traveling |
Bus | 4 hours, 30 minutes | from $30 | Traveling on a budget |
Car | 4 hours | 227 miles (362 kilometers) | Exploring the East Coast |
What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From New York to Washington, DC?
Although it might take a little bit longer, bus service from New York City to the nation's capital is the reliably cheap option. The journey takes around four and a half hours so it's a bit slower than other methods of travel, but tickets are reliably around $35 or less on the bus; unlike with the train, you can travel at the last minute without paying a fortune.
Greyhound, FlixBus, Megabus, and Bolt Bus are popular options for bus transport around the Northeast. Only Greyhound departs from within Port Authority Bus Terminalwhile other bus services depart curbside at different venues across the city.
What Is the Fastest Way to Get From New York to Washington, DC?
Traveling to Washington, DC, from New York City by train is a quick, low-stress option that often offers comfortable seating with in-seat power outlets. Additionally, trains travel directly from Penn Station in central Manhattan to Union Station in Washington, DC, allowing visitors quick access to both city's central areas of tourism.
Times vary by the number of stops by each service, with Acela service taking less than three hours and other trains taking about three-and-a-half hours. You can purchase tickets in advance on Amtrak's website. If you plan to travel by train, booking your seats as early as possible is the best way to get the cheapest seats, which start from $27. This popular route sells out quickly and prices rapidly go up to over $100 each way.
How Long Does It Take to Drive?
You can certainly rent a car to drive from New York City to Washington, DC, as the route is fairly direct along I-95 and takes just under four hours if you don't hit traffic. You'll want to avoid rush hour times on this busy commuter route or you could easily add an extra hour or two to the total journey, which is generally from about 8–10 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. on weekdays.
Unless you're traveling with a group and want to make stops along the way, going by car doesn't make sense for most visitors. Having a car in either city isn't necessary and is more trouble than it's worth since parking is complicated and expensive. In addition to paying for parking, gas, and a rental car, there are also several tolls to be paid on the journey from New York to DC—adding up to more than $40 for a one-way trip depending on which route you take.
You can rent cars in Manhattan, though the rates at the airports outside of the city tend to be cheaper. Newark Airport is a great place to rent a car so that you can avoid the expensive tolls getting out of New York City and start the journey away from Manhattan traffic.
When Is the Best Time to Travel to Washington, DC?
The best time to visit Washington, DC, depends on what you're looking for. Holiday weekends like Memorial Day or Fourth of July are especially festive times to visit the nation's capital, although be prepared for extra big crowds. The Cherry Blossom Festival in March and April adds some vibrant pops of color to the city and it's one of the best springtime celebrations in the country, but this is also peak tourism season.
If you're looking for a balance of good weather with minimum crowds, then head to DC in the fall. By September, the oppressive mugginess of summer has finally died down and so have the summer crowds, allowing visitors to enjoy the best of Washington's monuments and the gorgeous fall foliage.
Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel From the Airport?
If you choose to fly, it's important to know how to get to/from the airport by public transportation. Of the three Washington, DC-area airports, Ronald Regan National Airport is by far the most convenient and best connected to the city center. The Washington metro system connects directly to the airport, costing just a couple of dollars and bringing passengers to the National Mall in just 15 minutes. If you want to take a taxi, the airport is just across the river and a short ride away.
Dulles Airport is the main international airport, but it's far. Travelers can take the silver metro line to or from Metro Center; this takes an hour. Baltimore Airport in Maryland is the farthest away, but it's actually better connected than Dulles. The MARC regional train stops at the airport and connects directly to Union Station, taking about 40 minutes.
What Is There to Do in Washington, DC?
The U.S. capital is home to some of the country's most iconic landmarks, museums, and monuments, and the vast majority of them are completely free to enjoy. Start at the National Mall, an expansive lawn that stretches from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building and is known as "America's Backyard." Apart from landmarks like the Washington Monument, White House, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, many of the Smithsonian Museum buildings are located on the Mall and all of them are free to enter. But there's a lot more to Washington, D.C., than just history. The Georgetown neighborhood is known for its rich foodie and bar scene, with top restaurants and lively spots for going out.
Washington, D.C. Guide: Planning Your Trip
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