Washington D.C., United States

Getting around Washington D.C.

How to travel around Washington D.C. — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Last updated 2026-08-09

1. Metro

Clean, quiet and reaching all three airports or their shuttles.

Cost: USD 2–6

2. Walking the Mall

Longer than it looks — the Capitol to Lincoln is two miles.

3. Capital Bikeshare

Docked bikes, and the most efficient way to cover the Mall.

4. Uber and Lyft

Widely used, particularly late when the Metro closes.

5. Amtrak from Union Station

New York in under three hours on Acela.

Booking apps in United States

Agreeing the fare in an app before you travel removes the argument at the end of the journey, which is where most transport scams happen. Links go to each app's official page — lookalike apps are themselves a scam.

Uber

Nationwide ride-hailing with the fare shown before booking.

Coverage: Nationwide, including airport pickup zones.
Why it helps: Avoids the unofficial drivers who tout inside airport terminals at several times the licensed rate.

Lyft

The main US alternative to Uber, often cheaper on the same route.

Coverage: Nationwide.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

Transit

Real-time transit planning across most US city networks.

Coverage: Most metropolitan areas.

Amtrak

Official booking for the national intercity rail network.

Coverage: Nationwide corridors.