Washington DC and transfer to Smithsonian Air and Space, Chantilly

[RooFlyer]

I'm transiting Washington DC in a few months and am making a stopover to re-visit the Smithsonian Air and Space museum, mainly the second location at Chantilly, Virginia. I visited about 12-13 years ago, just after the Stephen Udvar-Hazy centre as opened, so I'm keen to see it in maturity.

I'll be staying near Ronald Regan airport. The Smithsonian site gives a two step public transport connection out to site ... a metro and a bus, if I read it correctly, taking 90 mins. Anyone done this by taxi? Time/approx. cost?

Any suggestions for a hotel near DCA? I see the usual chains are there, I could stay at most of them. Any one with a extra glowing report? A non chain is fine.

 

[I love to travel]

A hotel recommendation would be great they all seem very noisy and overpriced from the reviews

 

[Hvr]

I stayed at Holiday Inn Rosslyn and had a good stay. Home

Walking distance to Arlington and a quick train trip to the main attractions in DC.

The travelling time to Chantilly seems correct from what I was told. I never made it but there's always next time.

 

[I love to travel]

I stayed at Holiday Inn Rosslyn and had a good stay. Home

Walking distance to Arlington and a quick train trip to the main attractions in DC.

The travelling time to Chantilly seems correct from what I was told. I never made it but there's always next time.

Thanks hvr

 

[RooFlyer]

I stayed at Holiday Inn Rosslyn and had a good stay. Home

<snip>.

Thanks - good position. I can't see from the web site that they have a DCA shuttle. Do you recall if they had one?

 

[Hvr]

Thanks - good position. I can't see from the web site that they have a DCA shuttle. Do you recall if they had one?

It's only a few stations away on a direct (blue) train line. With HLO I was able to train it.

 

[Austff]

Mrs A & I were there last year, had a great stay at W Washington, you could see the White House from their rooftop bar, we walked to most attractions but also caught cheap tourist bus that does laps around the National Mall.

 

[Himeno]

Last year I stayed at the Holiday Inn National Airport. Close to DCA, a short walk from the Crystal City metro station.

 

[Kolo]

A cab from the Mall cost me about USD90 from memory - before I started using Uber! I got the bus and metro home, which was fine. DCA is so close to central DC that all the central hotels are options. I had a great stay at the Sofitel where my status was recognized and I had a brilliant meal in the restaurant.

 

[Kolo]

The cab took close to an hour from memory. 90mins on public transport sounds right.

 

[clazman]

Would recommend the 5 Star Hotels In Washington DC | The Jefferson, Washington DC | Downtown Hotels Washington DC

 

[albatross710]

The year I went to Chantilly complex I arranged to arrive at Dulles, then depart DCA.

 

[RooFlyer]

Would recommend the 5 Star Hotels In Washington DC | The Jefferson, Washington DC | Downtown Hotels Washington DC

Thanks, but I won't even look at the prices. I'm on a budget ... and even the most ordinary places are asking US$300/night!

The year I went to Chantilly complex I arranged to arrive at Dulles, then depart DCA.

That's what I'm doing, but I don't arrive until about 4pm. How did you handle luggage - I see Chantilly doesn't have lockers for anything more than a carry-on.

 

[mel-world]

We visited in 2013 and 90 mins each way by Metro and Bus sounds about right. If you have time, allow a day for the visit as the guides are excellent and worth the time. There is also an outside tower overlooking DCA for more plane spotting if the weather is fine. Here are a few random shots to give you an idea of the range of aircraft on display.

 

[mel-world]

And a few more from an enjoyable visit....