GETTING AROUND DC
A SmarTrip® card is an easy-to-use, rechargeable card used to pay Metrorail and local bus system fares. SmarTrip® is accepted on the following area transit providers: DASH, Ride On, Fairfax Connector, ART, CUE, Loudoun County Transit, Omniride, TheBus, DC Circulator, Maryland Transit Administration Local Bus, Light Rail, and Metro Subway.
You can plan ahead and buy a SmarTrip® card online with any major debit or credit card. Or, you can purchase a card at any Metrorail station or select sales location for $2.
You can add value to your SmarTrip® card and check your balance at any Metrorail station. Or, you can create an account to manage your card online. Fares vary.
If riding the Metrorail, tap your card on the target at the fare gate upon entry and exiting. If riding the Metrobus, tap your card on the farebox only as you enter.
Know before you go. Our Getting There guides are tailored to make your travel experience simple and stress-free.
With more than 24 million visitors from around the world each year, the Mall is an international stage where people gather for celebrations and commemorations. A popular destination with limited parking, the best way to access the Mall is by public transit.
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The DC United franchise has a new home! Audi Field is a soccer-specific stadium at Buzzard Point just a few blocks from Nationals Park. To make sure transportation is a breeze, goDCgo has put together a guide with different options for you to travel sustainably to the field.
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A century-old DC landmark, Union Station is located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol and is considered the city’s top transportation hub. Whether traveling into or out of the District, you’ll be surprised how many transit options are available at this leisure destination.
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Located just three miles south of Washington, DC, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the nearest commercial airport to the capital city and serves the metro DC area. It is directly accessible by Metrorail and Metrobus, as well as a multitude of other shuttle and rideshare options.
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Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport may be located about 30 minutes east of DC, but don’t let the distance fool you—there are plenty of affordable transportation options available. From light rail to bikeshare, this international airport has been ranked one of the top 10 easiest airports to get to.
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The biggest and busiest airport in the metro DC area, the Washington Dulles International Airport is located 45 minutes west of DC in Virginia. Currently, the best way to access IAD is by bus, but Metrorail’s Silver Line will service the airport upon it’s completion in 2020.
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DC is said to be a city of neighborhoods, each with its own unique history, culture, architecture, demographics and geography. These neighborhoods are the heart of the city—beyond the museums and marble-clad monuments. Select a neighborhood below to explore popular destinations in that area:
Home to numerous museums and theaters, highlights of this centrally-located area include the Verizon Sports and Entertainment Center and designated Historic District.
Known for its diverse mix of independent businesses, bars and lounges, this neighborhood is a cultural hub with a burgeoning restaurant scene.
From the front yard of the White House to Dupont Circle, this neighborhood encompasses most of Washington’s central business district.
This northwest neighborhood hosts a unique mix of restaurants, shops and high-rise apartments, as well as DC’s Convention Center.
One of the oldest residential neighborhoods in DC, Capitol Hill is home to more than just politics. Street fairs, secondhand shops and michelin-starred restaurants reside in this neighborhood.
Home to the Washington Nationals, this new and upbeat neighborhood is located just south of the Capitol, between Capitol Hill and the Anacostia River.
Known for its ivy-league status, Georgetown’s cobblestone sidewalks take visitors to a wide range of retail and restaurant options along the C&O Canal.
Located just east of the Potomac River, this newly revitalized neighborhood is steeped in both history and heritage. Not to mention the views!
Since we're spending so much time working from home, it's important that your workspace is comfortable so that you can feel your best and maintain productivity. The efficiency of your work environment, or ergonomics, plays a major role in how you get work done. In other words, create a workspace that meets your needs.
There's a light at the end of the tunnel -- especially for DC's hospitality and tourism industry! On June 22, 2020, the District of Columbia entered Phase Two of Mayor Muriel Bowser's reopening plan as we continue to take precaution to mitigate the health crisis. As outlined in the plan, large events/gatherings have been expanded from a capacity of 10 to 50 people, and nonessential retail businesses have the option to open their doors. Nonessential non-retail businesses, like many office or corporate employees, will continue to telework for the time being.
In 2019, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) conducted a district-wide school transportation survey to evaluate the state of school commutes in Washington, DC. In the survey, they found that students and families are more likely to choose sustainable transportation options than teachers and staff. Results show that only 33% of elementary students are driven to school, while another 33% of parents walk their youngest child to school, and 59% of students have used Kids Ride Free cards. On the other hand, 78% of the District's school staff drive to work alone, while only 2.2% ride a bike to school. The survey also revealed that 43% of school staff commute from Maryland and Virginia.
Get a transit display at your school! Transit displays are a great way to show off all mobility options near your school, at a glance, and in real-time. These options include the bus, Capital Bikeshare, carshare, and the Metrorail. By providing a digital display with real-time transportation arrival data in lobbies, main offices, and teacher break rooms, your students and staff can plan their sustainable commutes back home more easily and efficiently.
Many schools are hesitant to use their limited budgets on transit display software, but thanks to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), schools can install a live transportation feed for at no cost to you! All you have to do is provide the television screen or monitor and use Ride DC's portal to set-up a live feed. School administrators will have the ability to create a custom dashboard specific to their school's location.
If you work nontraditional or late-night hours, you may find that you are left with fewer commute options to get to and from work. Since the public health crisis, public transit and other commonly used travel options have become even more limited in order to encourage people to stay home, practice social distancing, and ultimately protect the safety and well-being of essential workers.
In the best interest of public safety during the health crisis, transportation providers nationwide have taken effective, protective measures to support the "stay home" advisory and to encourage safe social distancing. This includes aggressive cleaning and disinfecting protocols, temporarily pausing or reducing services, closing stations, and more.
Please be advised that you should be traveling for ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY in Washington, DC which includes obtaining medical care that cannot be provided virtually; purchasing food and/or household goods; performing or accessing essential government functions; working at essential businesses; engaging in essential travel; or engaging in recreational activities, as defined by Mayor Muriel Bowser's Stay-At-Home Order.
Below is a breakdown of limited transportation services in the District of Columbia:
With certain states and municipalities beginning to lift stay-at-home orders, it’s important to create a Return to Work Plan to ensure you have commuter programs and policies in place that accommodate the interest of your organization and its employees. As we continue to adapt to the “new normal,” goDCgo employer services recommends putting in place a variety of commuter benefit options that help your employees feel safe and confident as they commute to and from the office, or when working remotely.
As the saying goes, "You never forget how to ride a bike," so it's a skill that you carry for a lifetime. Put those skills to good use by exploring the 150 miles of bike lanes and trails that Washington, DC has to offer! goDCgo encourages you to join the rising number of residents who already commute by bike, making DC a healthier, greener, and more sustainable city. Our prospering bike community continues to grow year over year, with an emphasis on the District's commitment to improving bike safety, infrastructure, and accessibility. In fact, we're nationally recognized as one of the top cycling cities by popular advocacy groups like People for Bikes and the League of American Bicyclists!
Now that Washington, DC has entered a phased reopening, it's important that you consider how to accommodate your residents by adapting your amenities to support those who will work remotely more frequently. While more people retreat to work from home, we expect a rise in demand for onsite building amenities, like a gym, pool, or telework space, as a reprieve from the confines of the apartment and daily routine. Residents may also place a higher value in amenities like strong shared WiFi connections, complimentary printing and video conferencing capabilities, as well as information on sustainable transportation options near the property that allow safe social distancing.
Explore all of your DC transportation options using our Get Around Guide.
