I am from CA but am traveling to NJ to visit my husband at Fort Dix. We would like to go site seeing in DC but i am not sure what the best way would be to get there? I do not want to spend a fortune i am doing that already as it is. Plane, Car, Train, Bus?? Any suggestions?
2007-07-30 06:54:39 · 10 answers · asked by CaliGirl 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
Car, car, car! I live in Northern NJ - right near Newark - and had family just outside DC for many years. I've done this trip a zillion times!
For a reasonble car (30mpg) you can get to DC on one tank of gas or less - - that shouldn't cost you more than $40 each way, total $80. Tolls are about $30 round trip. Give yourself some gas money for riding around - another $40. And its not even the price of one Amtrak or Plane ticket.
I-95 south is all you need.
Try priceline.com for a hotel. If you are decent with directions you can try Arlington or Alexandria for hotels if you need it - - i usually get $50 to $75/night thru priceline in one of those towns and end up at a decent enough hotel. Many hotels offer shuttle service to/from the Metro so you don't even have to drive!!
2007-07-31 09:23:14 · answer #1 · answered by nova_queen_28 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are buses that go - that's probably the cheapest way to go, but not necessarily the most pleasant (and the bus terminal in DC is fairly sketchy). You could drive but that might not be the cheapest way to go, especially if you have to rent a car, and it's not the cheapest either as far as gas, tolls, and parking. It's not the most pleasant drive, and parking and driving in DC is not cheap or pleasant at all. The only good thing about driving is if you're both going, you pay the same expenses as you would for one person, but with the other options, you'd need 2 tickets. Flying is probably not worth it either - again probably not the cheapest option, and even though the flight is an hour at most, by the time you deal with getting to/from the airport, security, etc... it might not save you much time. Then the last option is the train - it's more expensive than the bus but most likely the next cheapest option, and it's extremely pleasant (best way to do that trip by far, in my opinion). Amtrak has regular trains (called "regional") and the high speed (Acela) trains, which don't save you THAT much time and are considerably more expensive, so not worth it. The "regional" trains are still pleasant - big comfortable seats, cafe car, etc... so it's the most pleasant way to go, and in the long run is what I would recommend. Also it goes to Union Station which is very close to downtown DC, and connects directly to the Metro (subway) in Washington.
2007-07-31 04:58:25 · answer #2 · answered by Mike R 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely take the train. The Amtrak stops at both Central Station in Newark and Newark Airport. Depending on when you go round trip would be about $160 each (but there is a generous military discount)
Likewise, if your husband is in the military, if he inquires on base there is usually some sort of arrangements that can be made to DC. Might not be the best accommodations, but you will get here.
Another option is to go into New York via commuter rail and take either the Greyhound ($50 round trip each approximately) or the Chinatown Bus ($30 each round trip). The Greyhound leaves NY Port Authority and goes to the Greyhound Station behind Union Station. The Chinatown bus leaves Chinatown New York and arrives in Chinatown DC.
If you decide to drive from New Jersey to DC, it's close to 3.5 hours depending on when you leave. It's a straight shot down I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike) to I495 (the Beltway). However, while gas prices in NJ are about 2.69 at the moment, Delaware is still about 2.80, Maryland/DC it's still around 2.90. Add in tolls (about $30 round trip) and parking in DC (which is usually ridiculous) and it will all work out to about the same price.
All the best!
2007-07-30 09:19:18 · answer #3 · answered by christabella611 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
By auto Newark to DC is about a 2.5 hour drive down New Jersey Turnpike to 95 South through Baltimore Tunnel stay on 95 and you will come to 495 Washington DC beltway. From there you can figure out where you want to go. If you get a GPS guide with the rental, you can tell it where you want to go, say the Capital or the White House or what have you or hotel or gas etc and just follow the directions.
2007-07-30 09:17:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Plane is a no go. And Fort Dix isn't really close to any major metro hub. I'd train from DC to Philly and the drive from there is under an hour.
2007-07-30 14:53:06 · answer #5 · answered by Susann M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you just land in the Newark airport? Just so you know, traffic around D.C. and New Jersey is murder. I live in NJ and I travel to D.C. at least once a year. It's really bad. It's supposed to snow pretty heavily this week.
2016-04-01 00:12:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the Amtrack from Newark all the way to DC. Or take the PATH train from Newark to Penn Station and then take Amtrack to DC.
It is probably cheaper to fly these days, though. There are tons of flights between EWR and DCA. Be sure to fly to DCA and not IAD-- you can take the metro from DCA right into town.
2007-07-30 16:11:06 · answer #7 · answered by Epac 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
take Amtrak. there is a stop in Newark (or right outside the city limits, i'm not sure exactly where it is located but it is right near there) and it will stop at union station right in the middle of D.C. and from there you can take the metro to where ever you wish to go or you can walk to there. have fun in D.C.
2007-07-30 07:29:15 · answer #8 · answered by meet me down under 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The drive is best...I-95 to Washington. Beware of traffic jams and the killer tolls for a round trip drive (can be up to $40 round trip). Amtrak is not bad with frequent service.
2007-07-30 07:01:46 · answer #9 · answered by onefunden 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
plane
2007-07-30 10:16:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋