National Airport Transportation - Your Easiest Bet...But There Are 2 Other Airports You Can Consider...
National Airport Transportation is the easy way to get to Alexandria VA. The airport is only a few miles from Old Town, Alexandria.
I ALWAYS fly into National Airport for domestic flights because it is so convenient. National Airport's terminals are new, they hook right up to the metro train, and once you're through security, you can relax, go to a news stand, or have a bite to eat at one of the numerous "fast food" restaurants. Where is National Airport, exactly? National Airport is in Arlington Virginia, which is next to Alexandria VA. (To out-of-towners, the whole area is one BIG metropolis, which includes the District of Columbia, otherwise known as Washington DC, Arlington Virginia and, of course, Alexandria, Virginia). National Airport is just across the Potomac River from Washington DC. The Airport is located on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. (This road, going South, takes you to Old Town Alexandria and to Mt Vernon --- George Washington's Estate)...more about that later! Whether you're planning on renting a car, hiring a cab, being picked up by a friend or limo, or you'll be taking METRO to Alexandria --- National Airport is the airport for you. OK - I'm going to pretend that you've already decided to fly into "National". I hope you got a good price for tickets...Here are some more insider's tips. "National" is what we locals call it. (A little while back the airport's name was changed to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport - but to us, that long name is just a formality.) We still say "National". The airline industry, for booking purposes, refers to National as DCA. Anyway, you get off your plane, and you'll arrive at this new, clean airport terminal. People are friendly and helpful. You pick up your luggage, and you're on your way! Now - where to? How you decide to travel from the airport may depend upon where you're staying. If you're a VIP --- you may have a limo driver waiting at Arrivals holding a card with your name on it. (In which case, I know you know what to do next)... If you'll be renting a car, you'll have all the mejor brands to chose from. Just look for the sign "Car Rentals". The car rental kiosks are easy to find. Just look for the signs...
How-To Rent A Car At "National Airport"The Airport rental car counters are located on the first floor in Parking Garage A. (There will be signs). "Club members" of each rental car company may proceed directly to the 2nd or 3rd floor of Garage A. To go to the rental car concessions from the terminals, either-- Ride: board the “Parking / Rental Car” shuttle which stops at each terminal outside baggage claim.OR Walk: 10 minutes from terminals A & B. Signage and staff are available to guide you.
Driving out of the airport is EASY. It's on the George Washington Parkway. (So is Alexandria)...Look for the signs that say "Parkway" and take the Parkway SOUTH.How about taking a cab?Taking a cab ride from the airport to your hotel is also easy. The cabs line up outside the airport in an orderly fashion. Look for the signs that say "taxis". Expect a cab ride to cost about $10 plus tip. (This includes a fee paid to the airport).Your cab driver will know exactly where you hotel is. Relax and enjoy the ride. Door to door it should take about 10 minutes.
How about taking "Metro"?Our public transportation system is called "Metro" - Usually when we say "Metro", we mean "Metro Rail"...a train. Our metro system is fast and convenient. There are self-serve kiosks for purchasing tickets. You'll have to look at a map to see your fare costs, and then purpose the appropriate fare card from the machine. Sometimes, there are employees available to help, but you can't count of that assistance.By the way, you are NOT allowed to bring food or drinks onto metro trains, and metro police, if they see you with food or beverage, can get pretty aggressive about enforcement. Be cooperative if approached by Metro Police. They have the authority to fine and confine you if you mis-behave. Other metro rules, no smoking and no littering, thank you. Here's a Video showing the Metro to Washington National Airport:
If you're going to use "Metro", here's a link giving you all the details...don't worry, it's EASY! Both the Yellow Line and Blue Lines connect National Airport to Old Town Alexandria VA. Good news! You're only 2 stops away. You'll be on the train for around 10 minutes. You'll get off at KING STREET METRO. Several good hotels are within easy walking distance. There's a FREE shuttle bus that goes up and down King Street, that you can use to get to King Street Hotels that are further down towards the river. Other Airport Options: Option #1 - Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)Some people like to fly into Dulles because they get a cheaper ticket. I think that unless the ticket is MUCH cheaper --- it's a bad way to go, because the airport is far away, and there is no public transportation.From the airport, you can take a shuttle bus or taxi (around $50 - or more - each way). You can rent a car, and unless you're from New York or LA, where the traffic is fast and furious, you may find the drive from Dulles to Old Town Alexandria VA to be hair raising. (I won't do it)... Other Airport Options: Option #2 - Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)Just like Dulles, above, I do not recommend you fly into BWI unless the ticket was a real bargain. (Southwest - flying in from the South East and East Coast offers some awesome deals, I know), but still, you'll have to factor-in costs for ground transportation.BWI Airport is far away. Not so much in miles, but in traffic-miles. You'll travel on Washington DC's dreaded "Beltway", and it is terribly conjested at Rush Hours. If you take a shuttle from BWI, make sure you're going to Alexandria VA, not Washington DC. (It would still cost you a lot of $$$ to get into Alexandria VA from DC if you made that mistake. A cab ride would be an extra $25.00, for example). If you take a cab from BWI Airport to Old Town Alexandria, it will cost around $75.00. There is Metro Rail - but it is not convenient. You'll have to go via MARC Trains and AMRAK and transfer in Washington at Union Station. (Our big, main station). From there, you'll have to get on Metro Rail, and make a transfer to get on a Yellow Line Train. I assure you it will make for a long, winding, adventure. Maybe good for College Students, but not so good for weary adult travellers that want things to go smoothly and without lots of stress.
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