When many travelers come to Washington, DC, they’ll often include a trip to Arlington, Virginia. For instance, they might want to see Arlington National Cemetery and the US Marine Corps War Memorial. Of course, there is also the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial at the Pentagon. But Alexandria, Virginia, shouldn’t be overlooked as a side trip from the nation’s capital. What’s more, it should be considered an extended vacation destination. The following are public transportation options between the nation’s capital and Alexandria. If you need more convincing, Alexandria is consistently known as one of the best small cities in America.
Alexandria Virginia Public Transportation Tips
Metrorail
There are several ways to get to Alexandria from Washington, D.C. Indeed, the easiest way is with the Metrorail system. First, this is the same Metrorail that operates in the nation’s capital. Secondly, it’s among the most affordable ways to get around the Greater D.C. area. A segment of D.C.’s Metro, it operates six color-coded rail lines. Of those six, the Blue and Yellow lines offer Alexandria efficient public transportation service. Four local stations, including the King St.-Old Town station, are in the heart of Old Alexandria.
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Metrorail Summer Shuttle Service
A free shuttle service is available to and from the Crystal City station via the Blue Line or Yellow Line Shuttles to meet the transportation demands. According to D.C. Metro, shuttle buses run every five minutes during rush hours. It further operates every 10 minutes during the midday hours. The exception is that the Blue Shuttle runs every 10-12 minutes during the midday hours.
Update
Update: Summer shuttles are running to serve stations affected by an improvement project. However, neither station in Alexandria is affected. As a result, this current shuttle service no longer serves Alexandria. On the other hand, plenty of trains operate on the Yellow line between D.C. and Alexandria.
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Metrorail Fare
Peak SmarTrip fares on Metrorail are $2.25 minimum and $6 maximum, $2 minimum and $3.85 maximum during off-peak hours. Peak hours are from when service begins until 9:30 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Fares and SmarTrip cards may be purchased at vending machines at Metrorail stations and online, as well as at Metro sales offices, commuter stores, and retail outlets.
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Please visit the Metrorail website for more information on fares, timetables, and routes. For travel options for Metrorail and Metrobus during the Platform Improvement Project, visit the Alternative Travel Options or the Visit Alexandria website. Online information may be subject to change.
Metro Bus
Metro Bus may not be a viable option if you have little or no experience using a public bus transportation service. Moreover, Alexandria and Washington, DC, have no direct public bus service. The closest connection would be between Alexandria and Pentagon City on routes 10A or 10E and 10N for evening service and bus service to the Rosslyn Metro station via route 10E. Be that as it may, taking the bus isn’t essential. That is, unless you need to go someplace but served by Metrorail.
Fare Information
From Pentagon City, you can connect with either the Blue or Yellow Metrorail lines. Correspondingly, you can take the Blue or Orange Lines at the Rosslyn station. The basic fare for Metrobus is $2 using a SmarTrip card or cash, and the express bus fare is $4.25. For older adults and people with disabilities, the basic fare is $1 and $2.10 for express bus service. Children ages five and older must pay the regular basic fare, and two children ages four and under may ride free, with each adult paying the full fare.
Use the SmarTrip Card or the New SmarTrip App.
Because bus operators do not carry money, you should use a SmarTrip card or the app. The card allows you to load cash with a credit card. After that, you scan your card as you pass through a turnstile. Similarly, the SmarTrip app can load and scan the fare as you pass through. If you need to pay cash for some reason, you must have the exact change.
Update:
Please visit the Metrobus website for up-to-date information on fares and passes.
Virginia Railway Express
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is a commuter railway service that can transport passengers from Alexandria to L’Enfant Plaza and Union Station in Washington, DC. The Railway Express operates two rail lines, the Fredericksburg Line and the Manassas Line. Because it is a commuter service, departures are more concentrated during the morning and evening commutes, while midday service is minimal. However, point-to-point Alexandria transportation service tends to be very quick, taking about 30 minutes or less in either direction.
Virginia Railway Express Fare
Fares are determined through zones, with a single ride fare of $6,25 in Zone 2 between Alexandria and Crystal City, and Zone 2 day passes are $12.50. Transportation out of Zone 2 will require additional fare. Reduced fare is available for older adults 65 and older, youths ages 11 and 18, and people with disabilities. Children 10 and under may ride free with a fare-paying adult. VRE tickets may be purchased via an online order form, station vending machines, sales outlets, and via the VRA Mobile app for iOS and Android users. Additional fare information can be found on the VRE website.
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Water Taxi
The Potomac Riverboat Company operates a convenient water taxi service along the Potomac River. Connects the Alexandria City Marina to the District Wharf in the Southwest Waterfront section of Washington, DC, and Georgetown. Visitors can take the Wharf Water Taxi to either D.C. location, and adult fare is from $10, older adults $9, and children ages 2-11 from $7. Tickets for the date(s) of travel may be purchased online. According to the Potomac Riverboat Company, it takes 30 minutes in either direction between Alexandria and Georgetown. The company also offers sightseeing cruises, including a Monuments Tour and a Mount Vernon Cruise from Alexandria to George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Update:
The Potomac Riverboat Company is no longer in service as a water taxi. However, a new company is operating in its place. That new service is operated by City Experiences by Hornblower. Please visit the website for City Experiences by Hornblower for information on the Washington D.C. area.
Metroway
Metroway is a premium bus service operated by D.C. Metro, with express service between Pentagon City and the Braddock Street Metrorail station in Alexandria, Virginia. Metroway is used primarily by commuters traveling to and from the Pentagon. However, Metroway can be an excellent option, particularly for those desiring public transportation service from the Old Town section of Alexandria, the Pentagon, and on to Washington, DC. Another Metroway route operates between Crystal City and Potomac Yard, just north of Alexandria, Virginia.
Metroway Fare
The Braddock to Pentagon City route runs every 12 minutes during peak and off-peak hours and every 15 minutes in the evening off-peak hours. The fare is $1.75 using a SmarTrip card and $.85 for older adults and people with disabilities.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. During his peak years, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS Radio, Engadget, and Radio.com. He is a Media Fellow of Stanford University, a U.S. Army veteran, and a lifelong Santa Cruz County, California resident.