When it comes to visiting the nation's capitol, there are all sorts of different ways to get around the city. These different ways are going to allow you to see the sights, get to your meeting or take in an event that you are looking forward to. With all of the different ways to get around, you are sure to find one that fits your needs and your price point.
Subway System
This is probably the easiest way to get around the city. The subway system is going to save you time as you don't deal with traffic, not to mention it is capable of taking you just about anywhere. You are even able to purchase a fare card online before you reach D.C., although it only takes a few minutes to obtain such a card when you arrive at one of the stations. The subway system is not 24 hours a day, but it does run from pre-dawn to past midnight, so it should be running when you need it.
Busses and Shuttles
Outside of the subway, there are busses and other shuttles that are able to help take you throughout the town as well. These are less expensive than the subway, but it also takes you more time to arrive at a desired location. You might also find it difficult to track the routes of the busses, but this is a common issue when visiting most cities. There are three basic bus and shuttle services you need to know about. There is the Metrobus, which is the main bus line in the city. During rush hour traffic, you really are not going to make it to any location quickly, but it is less expensive. After this, there is the D.C. Circulator, which runs about every 10 minutes and is going to drive a circle through the more touristy sites of down and some of the metro stations. Lastly, there is the Georgetown Metro Connection, which is a shuttle service that runs to different stations throughout the Georgetown area.
Taxis
A taxi is an excellent option when you just don't want to wait around for one of the available transportation options. It is going to be a bit more expensive though, as you do pay $3 per 1/6 of a mile, so this is going to quickly eat up your pocket book (consider whether or not dropping $18 for a mile ride is worth it or not, as that is something you can probably easily walk). However, when time is of the essence, and it is not rush hour traffic, this is an option that you might need to opt into.
Rent a Car
Of course, you can always rent a car, and if you are going to drive throughout the city and outside of it to the neighboring suburbs, it might be a desirable option. However, if you are staying inside of the city and you don't plan on going anywhere else, avoid renting a car and go with the other options.
