Page 218 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

216  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around Washington, DC

Washington has a very comprehensive public trans portation Metrorail
system. Visitors and locals alike find that it is easier to get A map of the Metrorail (see
around by public transportation than by car, especially as they back endpaper and City Map)
do not then have the aggravation of finding a much-coveted is one of the most important
pieces of information visitors
parking space. All the major tourist attractions in the capital will need when trying to get
are accessible on foot, by Metrorail, by Metrobus, or by taxi. around DC. The system takes
some getting used to, and the
instructions are in English only,
so allow plenty of time when
first using the Metrorail (or
“Metro,” as it is also called).
The cost of the fare depends
on the time and distance you
wish to travel, and ranges from
$1.75 to $5.90. There is an addi­
tional fee for traveling during
rush hour. Tickets, or “farecards,”
for single or multiple trips can be
bought from vending machines.
Coins and bills (but no bills over
$20) can be used to pay the
Busy night-time traffic in central Washington, DC exact fare; or add more money
if you wish to use the card again.
Green Travel Getting your Bearings Passengers need to swipe their
With such an excellent public It is important to know that fare cards through the turnstile
transportation system, it is easy the city is made up of four at the beginning and end of the
to get around Washington, DC quadrants: northeast (NE), trip. If there is any unused fare
without causing undue harm to northwest (NW), southeast left at the final destination the
the environment. Almost every (SE), and southwest (SW), ticket will be returned to you;
tourist sight is accessible via with the US Capitol at the if not, the ticket will be retained.
public transportation. Further­ central point. Every address You can top up tickets for further
more, Metrobus runs a fleet of in DC includes the quadrant trips. Metrorail passes are on
buses powered by Compressed code (NE, and so on) and, with offer for one day ($14.50) and
Natural Gas (CNG), a cleaner building numbers running into seven days’ ($36) travel. These
alternative to gasoline (petrol). the thousands on the same can be used to transfer from
Cycling has become an street in each quadrant, Metro to bus. SmarTrip cards are
increasingly popular way to its use is necessary to also available. These are plastic
travel in Washington, and distinguish the location. rechargeable farecards that
there is an excellent network A useful tip for when you cost $2 and can be used
of cycle lanes throughout are first trying to find your on other modes of public
the center. Cycling has been way around the city is to transportation in DC. Five
further encouraged with remember that most num­ Metrorail lines operate
the Capital Bikeshare self­ bered streets run North and in downtown DC, with
hire scheme. South, and most lettered frequent services: the
If it is necessary to use a streets run East and West. Orange Line; Blue Line;
taxi, visitors can encourage However, be aware that Red Line; Yellow Line;
green practices by requesting there is no “J,” “X,” “Y,” or “Z” and Green Line. Trains run
a “hybrid” taxi, powered by Street, and that “I” Street is from 5:30am to midnight
a combination of battery and often written as “Eye” Street. Monday through Thurs day,
gasoline, although these cabs from 5:30am to 3am on
are not always available. If Walking Friday and 7am to 3am on
using a taxi in the Virginia Saturday, and from 7am to
suburbs, Envirocab runs an Washington is a terrific midnight on Sunday. Trains
all­hybrid fleet. They are not city for walking, as long run frequently (less than
licensed to operate in the as you wear comfortable 10 minutes’ wait) and, on
District, however. shoes and keep your wits Metro sign board, stops are announced
All car rental companies offer about you. Many of the main at every station. The entire
hybrid cars, but with limited sights are clustered around system is access ible for wheel­
availability. Book ahead to the Mall. In Georgetown, chairs. One warning: Eating,
make sure your request walking is the best way to soak drinking, smoking or littering on
is considered. up the atmosphere. the Metro is grounds for arrest.

216-217_EW_Washington.indd 216 04/04/17 2:40 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.3)
Date 17th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm