# Help for a trip to DC **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 21, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230 "2011-04-21T14:32:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/1 "2011-04-21T14:32:42Z")
I’m thinking of going on a trip to Washington DC. Here is what I’d like: [ol] [li]Drive to hotel and no more driving until I leave[/li][li]Price of hotel at or below $90 per night[/li][li]Very close to train/subway system[/li][/ol] Any dopers have any suggestions? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/2 "2011-04-21T14:50:12Z")
You want the Hilton Arlington. [http://www1.hilton.com/en\_US/hi/hotel/DCAVAHF-Hilton-Arlington-Virginia/index.do?brand\_id=HI&brand\_directory=/en/hi/&xch=880538295,AF0FSDQZHQKTMCSGBI1MVCQ](http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/DCAVAHF-Hilton-Arlington-Virginia/index.do?brand_id=HI&brand_directory=/en/hi/&xch=880538295,AF0FSDQZHQKTMCSGBI1MVCQ) It’s literally built right above the Ballston metro station, rates start just under $90/night, and there’s a parking garage. Plus, while this part of Arlington has plenty of bars/restaurants and so on, driving in and out will be much less hairy than with a downtown DC hotel. And you’re fifteen minutes from downtown via metro. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/3 "2011-04-21T14:59:18Z")
I should note: I’ve stayed in this hotel, and I lived for six months in the condo building adjacent. So I know the area pretty well, and recommend it highly. It’s also very, very safe. Only caveat is that it’s too far from downtown DC to walk comfortably for most people - about four miles. Most of the time, that doesn’t matter - metro is fine. But if you’re coming in for July 4, metro will be packed to the point it’s almost unuseable. You should consider a closer hotel in that case. Or renting a room in a group house for the weekend - craigslist will have many listings. ---
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/4 "2011-04-21T15:00:49Z")
Yikes! I went to their site and the cheapest rate I can find is 268.20! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/5 "2011-04-21T15:25:29Z")
It all depends on the dates you’re traveling. There are plenty of hotels near Metro stations, but their rates can very wildly. For example the aforementioned Hilton Arlington _can_ be as low as $87 or as high as $300+. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/6 "2011-04-21T15:27:42Z")
You probably want to check travel sites like [priceline.com](http://priceline.com) or [travelocity.com](http://travelocity.com) for decent hotel prices, though it’s going to be more expensive over a holiday weekend. Sometimes, though, hotels that are built to cater to business travelers actually offer _better_ deals (via such websites) on holidays and weekends, as the business travelers tend not to book rooms on those days. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/7 "2011-04-21T15:30:47Z")
If you’re just looking for a cheap place to sleep, have you considered a [hostel](http://www.hostels.com/washington-dc/usa)? You may have to put your car in a garage but the cost should easily be covered by what you’d save by not staying in a hotel. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/8 "2011-04-21T15:33:22Z")
Hotel prices in DC have jumped since I was last there. I usually recommend the Hotel Harrington, but that’s jumped to $150 a night plus parking (if you’re traveling alone, they have rooms form $125). The hotel is old, but kept up nicely, and is only two blocks from the National Mall, one block from Ford’s Theater, and three blocks from the White House. ---
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/9 "2011-04-21T16:37:24Z")
I’m looking at Mid-May for 2 people. What about near Dulles? I found a Hampton Inn out that way around $65 per night, but where can I find a map of the metro stops to see if any are close by? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/10 "2011-04-21T16:50:04Z")
There’s no Metro out to Dulles. Not yet, at least. It’s just under 30 miles to the city. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/11 "2011-04-21T18:04:45Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > There’s no Metro out to Dulles. Not yet, at least. It’s just under 30 miles to the city. Right. There is one or two bus lines that stop at Dulles Airport, but it may be quite inconvenent. Loudoun County transit may also offer something - anyone know? I live in the DC area. Also consider Old Town Alexandria, near King Street. That’s a nice urban area with two Metro stations (King Street and Braddock Road), and iself is convenient to the Masonic building/monument/temple. Unfortunately, I live nearby and thus don’t really know what there is in terms of hotels. Go here [http://www.wmata.com/](http://www.wmata.com/) for Metrobus and Metrorail transit information, including a Metro (subway) map. There are also other bus systems that operate locally ; many local jurisdictions in Virginia or Maryland have their own bus system that you can transfer on/off of. A “SmarTrip” card is usable across rail and many or most of the bus systems. ---
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/12 "2011-04-21T18:12:16Z")
Thanks! I’ll check it out! ---
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/13 "2011-04-21T18:24:06Z")
Found a good site for everyone’s info: [http://www.dcbymetro.com/](http://www.dcbymetro.com/) Thanks for all your help! ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/14 "2011-04-21T19:06:12Z")
Try Google Maps. There are little M boxes that show you where the metro goes. There’s an Econo Lodge at 6800 Lee Hwy., Arlington, VA. I’ve walked to the East Falls Church metro from there. I think they’re about $110. But really, if you want free parking and walking metro access, you’ve got to pay more than $90. That’s just the way it is around here. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/15 "2011-04-21T19:40:34Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > But really, if you want free parking and walking metro access, you’ve got to pay more than $90. That’s just the way it is around here. Quoted for truth. I can’t imagine _any_ hotel near a Metro station that would typically charge less than $100/night – even out at the ends of the Metro lines. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/16 "2011-04-21T19:51:19Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > Quoted for truth. I can’t imagine _any_ hotel near a Metro station that would typically charge less than $100/night – even out at the ends of the Metro lines. Well, Expedia seems to be saying that the Travelodge Silver Spring can be had in mid-May for about $70, and it’s less than a mile walk to the metro. So it’s doable if the OP absolutely, positively insists upon the sub-$100 price point. But judging from the Google reviews, I would be reluctant to stay there: [Google Maps](http://maps.google.com/maps/place?rls=com.microsoft:*&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=travelodge+silver+spring&fb=1&gl=us&hq=travelodge&hnear=Silver+Spring,+MD&cid=11018521343011957778%5C) ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/17 "2011-04-21T20:01:57Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > Quoted for truth. I can’t imagine _any_ hotel near a Metro station that would typically charge less than $100/night – even out at the ends of the Metro lines. Not true at all. I guarantee you that if you bid $90 on [Priceline.com](http://Priceline.com) for a three star hotel you’ll get something really good in Dupont Circle, most likely the Omni Shoreham (two blocks to Metro, about five blocks to the National Zoo) or the Hinkley Hilton (where Reagan was shot, and the site of Top Chef D.C.) I’ve done this personally a couple of dozen times. [Biddingfortravel.com](http://Biddingfortravel.com) shows recent sucessful bids of $100 for the four star Westin on Embassy Row (awesome hotel) and the above mentioned Hilton for $41 a night. I don’t understand why anyone doesn’t use the Biddingfortravel and Priceline sites everytime they need a hotel. You’re just throwing hundreds of dollars away if you don’t. P.S. They only execptions to this is when D.C. is hosting a big rally like Inauguration Day or the Fourth of July. Then you’re screwed. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/18 "2011-04-21T20:13:15Z")
**Mr. Excellent** and **Lamar Mundane** , you both missed where I said “typically.” For sure, deals can be found/had, but any hotel near a Metro station is typically – usually – going to run at least $100/night. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/19 "2011-04-21T20:22:10Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > **Mr. Excellent** and **Lamar Mundane** , you both missed where I said “typically.” For sure, deals can be found/had, but any hotel near a Metro station is typically – usually – going to run at least $100/night. No. It only is if you book it directly through the hotel website. If you use Priceline, it typically, hell it is 99% of the time, available for about 75% of that. And I’m not talking about a Days Inn in Vienna, I’m talking about the Omni Shoreham in Dupont Circle. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230/20 "2011-04-21T20:24:52Z")
When are you coming? I’m a student who knows lots of people who are abroad this summer, and I have some info on some short-term sublets (some even a week long) that could be substantially cheaper than a hotel. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-for-a-trip-to-dc/579230.md?page=2)