Washington Day Trips from New York

The illustrious city of Washington represents the spirit of the United States with its streets and museums presided over by the Capitol. On a tour to Washington you can see, among other points of interest, the White House or the Pentagon.

The excursion to Washington from New York is one of the best tours you can do from the Big Apple and, in fact, there are several types to suit all budgets and trip lengths. Here are the ones that, for me, are the best:

The best option

Washington D.C. Day Trip From NYC

The best of Washington, in one day and at the best price

Perfect if you want to leave New York for a day to get to know Washington DC and its most popular attractions, such as the White House, the Capitol or the Lincoln Memorial.

Duration: 15 hours

From $111 at Hellotickets

The best way to visit Washington from New York in one day and learn about the history of each monument of the city with a professional guide, is with an organized tour. The Washington tour is a full day tour with round trip bus transportation and takes about 4 hours.

During the city tour you will see the highlights of Washington such as The White House, the U.S. Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, The Pentagon and the Lincoln Memorial, among others. You will have free time to explore at your leisure and have lunch where you choose.

Why I like this tour: in addition to its good value for money, I recommend this activity because it includes a very complete tour of Washington and you will get the most out of the tour.

Recommended if... you want to visit Washington DC and see its main attractions, but do not want to spend too much time or budget.

Two days

Philadelphia and Washington DC 2-Day Trip from New York

The most complete getaway to Washington

If you are looking forward to seeing Washington DC but are afraid that one day will be too short, join this tour that also stops in Philadelphia. Lodging included.

Duration: 2 days

From $394 at Hellotickets

If you prefer to make the most of your time and combine two tours in one, I recommend booking the two-day tour of Washington with a visit to Philadelphia. In Washington you will discover all the essential attractions, such as the White House, the Capitol, the Pentagon and the Vietnam and Korea Veterans Memorials.

On tours to Philadelphia from New York you will also visit an important part of the history of the United States, going to see the Liberty Bell. You will also get to see the mythical Statue of Rocky and its famous staircase and visit a traditional Amish Community.

Why I like this tour: this is a more complete tour and takes you to the main points of interest, not only in Washington, but also in Philadelphia. It's a great way to make the most of your trip and get to know the major cities on the East Coast.

Recommended if... you're looking to get away for a couple of days during your trip to New York and don't want to worry about organization, transportation or accommodations.

The premium option

America 4-Day Tour from New York City (Niagara Falls, Washington and Philadelphia)

The best of the East Coast, in four days

The United States is much more than New York and with this tour to Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls you will see the highlights of the East Coast. Lodging included.

Duration: 4 days

From $820 at Hellotickets

If you have time to spare for a tour of the East Coast of the United States, this trip is for you. In four days, you can tour Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls from New York, seeing the highlights of each place.

In Washington you will tour the city with a guide who will take you to the White House, the Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon and the Lincoln Memorial, among other points of interest. And on your way to Philadelphia, you will visit the Liberty Bell and the Rocky Statue, as well as a traditional Amish community to see how members of these colonies still live.

Finally, in Niagara, the wildest and most natural jewel of the East Coast, you will enter the National Park, Watkins Glen State Park and She-Qua-Ga Falls.

Recommended if... you have extra days on your trip to New York, because this tour will offer you four days of contrast to what you will have seen in the Big Apple. The nature of the Falls, the history of Philadelphia and the stately spirit of Washington will seem like another world.

Why I like this tour: If you were to do this tour on your own, it would be impossible to fit it into such a short time, so this seems to me to be the most efficient way to squeeze the most out of your time.

Washington D.C. Day Trip From NYC

The best of Washington, in one day and at the best price

Perfect if you want to leave New York for a day to get to know Washington DC and its most popular attractions, such as the White House, the Capitol or the Lincoln Memorial. Free time included.

Duration: 15 hours

From $111 at Hellotickets

Philadelphia and Washington DC 2-Day Trip from New York

The most complete getaway to Washington

If you are eager to see Washington DC but are afraid that one day will be too short, join this tour that also stops in Philadelphia. Lodging included.

Duration: 2 days

From $394 at Hellotickets

America 4-Day Tour from New York City (Niagara Falls, Washington and Philadelphia)

The best of the East Coast in four days

With this tour to Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls you will see the highlights of the East Coast. Lodging included.

Duration: 4 days

From $820 at Hellotickets

Seeing Washington's major monuments is easy, as most of them are located inside the National Mall. As you might imagine, the main interest of these monuments is related to the political history of the United States and its presidents. Most Washington day trips and two-day tours follow an itinerary similar to this:

• National Mall: National Mall (also known as the National Mall) is the expanse that contains the Capitol, the famous Obelisk, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution building, and other points of interest.
• The Capitol and the Library of Congress: Start the day by visiting the iconic Capitol, home of the U.S. Congress, and the Library of Congress, which you are free to enter at your leisure and marvel at its spectacular interior.
• U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial: You'll know this memorial statue when you see it. It depicts U.S. soldiers raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and hopefully you'll see a military parade passing in front of it.
• Lincoln Memorial: Located at the west end of the National Mall, the memorial dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln has been the site of numerous historically significant speeches, including Martin Luther King's famous 1963 speech.
• Korean War Veterans Memorial: Southeast of the Lincoln Memorial you will find a series of steel statues depicting a group of soldiers, arranged in a triangle shape in front of a wall with images of the Korean War.
• The White House: A must-see if you take a trip to Washington. Even if you don't take a tour of the interior, you can see the distinctive building from the outside fence (except on some occasions, such as official events).
• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial: Unveiled in 2011, the memorial consists of a granite statue of the leader of the Civil Rights Movement quarried from a rock behind him, where a series of inscriptions related to Martin Luther King Jr. are located.
• Arlington National Cemetery: This military cemetery holds the remains of more than 14,000 veterans of wars as old as the American Civil War. Arlington National Cemetery is quite unique, with headstones rising above ground along a grove of trees.

First of all, if you book a tour to Washington from New York, the round trip will take you about seven hours. If you're reading this, you know that discovering new places is always worthwhile, and the truth is that Washington is an interesting enough city overall to justify the long trip from New York.

Plus, with an organized tour you won't have to worry about how to get to Washington from New York That said, one day is enough to see the sights and buildings of interest in Washington, so some tours combine a visit to Washington with a tour of Philadelphia.

Visiting Washington, D.C. from New York in a single day is possible, but it is essential to plan your trip carefully or book a Washington tour from New York to see the highlights and make the most of your time.

Ideally, start the tour early in the morning, arriving in Washington between 10-11 am. Regarding the return trip, it is best to opt for the last shuttle service, around 18-19 hours.

Before booking your trip to Washington from New York you should know that the distance between the two cities is approximately 360 kilometers. Regarding the travel time, it may vary depending on the means of transport you choose:

• By bus or car, the journey usually takes between 4 and 5 hours depending on traffic. The most common route is via Interstate 95, a highway with a lot of traffic, especially during rush hour.
• By train, the trip takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours with Amtrak.

The affordable distance allows the trip to be done in a day or weekend getaway.

If you are traveling to Washington, D.C. from New York, you are in luck because you have numerous transportation options available depending on the time and price you have available. Here are the different options:

In short, if you are looking for speed and comfort, the train is an unbeatable option. But if you are on a tight budget, the bus is the best value for money.

As you might imagine, it's best to visit Washington during the week and avoid Saturdays and Sundays.

Specifically, if you book a tour to Washington from New York, the best days are Mondays and Wednesdays, as the sights tend to be less crowded after 2 p.m. Many of the museums and monuments are closed. Many of the museums and monuments are closed on holidays, so try to avoid holidays to see everything.

If you happen to be visiting New York in the spring or fall, you will be lucky to be able to book a tour to Washington at the best time of the year. Winter in Washington is quite cold, and the problem with summer in Washington is that it tends to rain at least once a week and it is also quite hot.

Without a doubt, the best time to visit Washington is spring, when you will have the opportunity to enjoy the city full of almond blossoms.

Yes, you can explore Washington, D.C., on your own, especially if you are looking for 100% flexibility. The main advantages are:

• Flexibility: you have the possibility to plan the route as you see fit and according to your interests.
• Economy: it is a more economical experience than booking an organized tour, since Washington has many monuments and museums whose entrance is free.
• Personalized pace: you can take as many breaks as you wish, eat wherever you want and modify the itinerary as you wish.

However, if you book your Washington tour from New York, you will have the following advantages:

• Historical depth: guides often provide detailed information, curious anecdotes and historical context.
• Easy logistics: you won't have to plan the tour and can focus on relaxing and enjoying yourself.
• Thematic experience: there are tours focused on specific themes, such as political history, emblematic monuments, gastronomy or African-American culture, so you can focus the trip on your interests.

All in all, if you are someone who enjoys autonomy and is comfortable exploring and getting around on your own, exploring Washington on your own can be very rewarding. But keep in mind that a tour can enrich your visit.

If you book a tour to Washington from New York, bewareof restaurants in the more touristy areas! A meal for two can easily run up to $50 (about $46.50).

If you're on a tight budget, it's best to pack food in your backpack or look for cheaper dining options, as most tours to Washington from New York do not include food.

Some of my recommendations

If you book a tour to Washington from New York and as a general rule, I advise you to wear comfortable clothes and footwear suitable for walking for a whole day, as even if you take public transportation you will have to walk a bit to visit each monument.

Washington DC is an elegant city and its inhabitants reflect this: the style of dress tends to be more smart than casual. You won't find too many people wearing flip-flops, shorts or a T-shirt, so if you don't want to look like a tourist, it's best to avoid this type of dress.

Check the weather before traveling to Washington

With this in mind, it makes sense that if you visit the city in summer, you should wear the coolest outfit possible, as temperatures are quite high. As you know, it tends to rain, so it is a good idea to bring a raincoat or umbrella just in case.

Winters in Washington are cold and it is rare for temperatures to rise above 0º, so be prepared for some pretty extreme temperatures. And if you visit Washington during the warm season, Arlington Cemetery will be full of mosquitoes - take repellent if you don't want to get massacred!

If you book a tour to Washington from New York you will love it if you are a lover of American politics and history, if you enjoy strolling through cities full of monuments, parks and imposing squares and if you are interested in architecture and urban planning, as Washington has a somewhat unique floor plan.

If you find it's not your style, since you're in New York, try some of the hundreds of New York City tours that exist.

Washington with kids

And if you' re visiting Washington with kids, don't worry: it's very easy to get around the city using public transportation, which is also safe and quality. You won't have to walk too far and thanks to the large number of parks and esplanades you can take a break from sightseeing when necessary.

Don't forget

• Some tips we can give you before your trip is not to carry too much cash to avoid having it stolen or lost, but keep in mind that in some restaurants and local stores credit cards are not accepted (for example, in Pho 75, you can only pay in cash).
• For the same reason, avoid carrying valuable belongings and leave what is not essential at your hotel or apartment.
• Remember to carry your passport and be prepared to go through the occasional security check, especially at monuments and points of interest such as Arlington Cemetery. Washington DC takes security quite seriously, and in fact, it is not for less given the political importance of the city.

All that's left for me to say is... get on the road!