HELP!!!

[jessicazi]

I am looking at traveling to DC for the protests around the 20th. I know there are three airports which serve the DC area and am willing to fly into any of them. I can buy a package deal on Hotwire and stay at 2621 Research Boulevard, Rockville, Maryland 20850, which is the Homestead Gaithersburg. Is anyone familiar with that hotel or the location? Does public transportation serve that part of Maryland, and could I catch it to DC? As you can tell I have never been to DC, but would like to possibly buy a package deal and save as much money as possible with transportation and what not. Thank you so much.

Jessica

[hholli1]

1. You'll probably want to fly into Dulles as opposed to BWI...

I believe there is a mass commuter train that can get you to downtown DC and that someone closer to that area will be able to tell you which ones. Hopes that helps (if only a bit)

[jessicazi]

2. Any little bit helps, thank you.

I have been looking at Dulles and Reagan more than BWI.

[northzax]

3. actually, you have it backwards

there is a train from BWI to DC, not Dulles (on weekdays, you can take the MARC train (commuter rail) for 7 bucks, or amtrak for as little as 13) Dulles requires either the supershuttle (ugh) or taking a bus (13 bucks) to the Metro (another 3) You can also take Metrobus from BWI or Dulles they run every hour and cost something like 2 bucks (from BWI take the train, it's worth it.

[northzax]

4. I would suggest flying to BWI

and trying to stay in the City. You can probably get into the city from that particular hotel, but it will be a pain. National is by far the most expensive of the airports, BWI is the cheapest and easier than Dulles on public transport.

you can check on the public transportation options at: www.wmata.com (metro's website)

[jessicazi]

6. BWI is coming up a little more pricier

than Dulles or Reagan. I am still looking at different options and possibly staying at one of the hostels close to town. Any other tips are appreciated. Thank you so much.

Jessica

[northzax]

8. if National is cheaper

then by all means use it. When you're looking at Dulles, remember to figure in the expense of getting into DC from there (anywhere from 20-50 each way)

[Southpaw Bookworm]

5. That location

Is about 4 miles from the nearest Metro stop. You would need to take the Ride-On bus (Montgomery County's bus system) from the Shady Grove or Rockville stations to get there. I think it's about a 20-30 minute ride.

SB, who used to work on Research Boulevard

[danostuporstar]

7. yeah, that's not a particularly metro freindly location

but metro has a great trip planner. here's one possible route to the white house: http://wmata.com/tripplanner/index.cfm?fuseaction=TripPlanner.GetItinerary&OriginText=2621%20RESEARCH%20BLVD&OriginLat=39.105447&OriginLong=-77.191602&DestinationText=THE%20WHITE%20HOUSE&DestinationLat=38.898773&DestinationLong=-77.036334&TravelMode=A&TravelDate=1/20/05&TravelTime=8:00am&TravelTimeType=D&Minimize=T&IsAccessible=N&CFID=257056&CFTOKEN=18532947

[many a good man]

9. Rockville to downtown

2621 Research Boulevard is a nine minute bus ride to the Shady Grove Metro Station (red line). Montgomery county RideOn bus 43 runs once every 15 or 20 minutes 6am-10pm. The hotel may have a free shuttle.

From Shady Grove its a 35 minute trip on the Metro to Farragut Square, a few blocks from the White House. On the way back get a bus transfer getting on at the Metro station so you can ride the bus free on the way back; transfers only work rail-to-bus, not vice versa.

Your hotel is about a 45 minute drive (non-rush hour) from any of the three airports and the airport Shuttle will charge you about $30. From National- don't call it Reagan!- (DCA) you can just hop on the Metro, switch trains at Metro Center, and be at Shady Grove in less than an hour. From BWI you could take MARC or Amtrak to Union Station and then hop on the red line. From Dulles (IAD), the shuttle is pretty much your only option.

Isn't Homestead one of those extended stay motels? Welcome to the nation's capital and the blue state of Maryland!