Please look around on the web to find the best deals and ask about student discounts.
There are many options for getting to DC including:
Greyhound Bus
Amtrak Train – comes into Union Station
As well as flying into one of DC’s 3 local airports
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) which gets you directly into DC
Dulles International (IAD) – will need to grab an uber, cab, shuttle or train to get into DC
Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) - will need to grab an uber, cab, shuttle or train to get into DC
U-Pass is Metro's college program giving students unlimited rides on Metrorail and Metrobus throughout the semester. (Only full-time students are eligible)
Metro is a convenient way to get around the Washington, DC metropolitan area. You can explore the city without the hassles of traffic and parking or the expense of gas.
Metro's Trip Planner Trip Planner | WMATA lets you plan routes between two destinations, allowing you to optimize your trip itinerary based on your preferences. Suggested trip itineraries also include the fare, the estimated travel time, and any walking directions
Metrorail fares vary by time of day and the distance between stations.
Metro System maps, time schedules, fares, etc. can be found at: http://www.wmata.com
The system runs (system typically runs at these times but please double check with ...)
Monday-Thursday - 5:00am - 12:00am
Friday - 5:00am-1:00am
Saturday - 7:00am-1:00am
Sunday - 7:00am-12:00am
See the Metro map here: WMATA System Map Rail 2024
Frequently the bus can get you closer to your destination and is less expensive so don’t ignore the bus system! Look into the schedule: Timetables | WMATA
Use your UPass card on the bus!
If you are going to use the Metro system (bus or rail), you can check the ETA of the bus/rail you are waiting busETA
Capital Bikeshare puts over 1800+ bicycles at your fingertips.
You can choose any of the 200+ stations across Washington, D.C., Arlington and Alexandria, VA and Montgomery County, MD and return it to any station near your destination.
Check out a bike for your trip to work, Metro, run errands, go shopping, or visit friends.
You can join Capital Bikeshare for a day, 3 days, a month, a year or try their new daily key option, and have access to the fleet of bikes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The first 30 minutes of each trip are free. Each additional 30 minutes incurs an additional fee.
Capital Bikeshare bikes are easy, fun and safe to use and ride. They are step-thru frames, have 3 speeds, front and rear flashing LED lights and a handy front rack. Plus the internal hub gears, chain guard and fenders keep you riding clean, confidently and in style.
For detailed information and to sign up: Capital Bikeshare DC
Please be aware of the bike laws for DC. Here are some brief selected guidelines:
General: Bicyclists traveling on roadways have all the general rights and duties of drivers of vehicles.
Where to Ride & Lane Use: Ride with the flow of traffic on the right half of the roadway. Operate a bicycle in a safe and non-hazardous manner... so as not to endanger yourself or any other person.
Passing Cars: Allowed to pass on left or right, in the same lane or changing lanes, or pass off road.
Cars Passing Bikes: A person driving a motor vehicle shall exercise due care by leaving a safe distance, but in no case less than 3 feet, when overtaking and passing a bicycle.
Dooring: No person shall open any door of a vehicle unless it is safe to do so and can be done without interfering with moving traffic.
Bicycling Two Abreast: Allowed when it does not impede traffic. May not ride more than two abreast.
Mandatory Use of Bike Lanes: Not required.
Cycling on Sidewalks: Yield right of way to pedestrians. Prohibited in the central business district (bounded by Massachusetts Ave. NW, 2nd St NE-SE, D St SE/SW, 14th St NW, Constitution Ave and 23rd St NW).
Audible Warning Devices: Bell or other device required, sirens prohibited.
Helmets: Required for any operator under 16 years of age
Lights at Night: Front white light and rear red reflector (or rear red light) required when dark, may be attached to operator.
You’ll find specific wording and details in the PDF version of the DC-Bike-Law-Pocket-Guide-Oct2012.pdf
Parking in DC is expensive, and they ticket cars assiduously as it’s a big revenue-generator, so your best bet is to use the easily-accessible public transportation system (buses and metro).
There is NO PARKING at CSIS and street parking is reserved for residents within the District.
You can apply for a reciprocity permit for street parking if you have a housing lease in DC or are staying in our student apartments. https://dmv.dc.gov/service/parking-and-reciprocity-permits These cost about $350 and run on one-year terms.
Street parking is typically available if you are living in VA or MD.
Many people bike in DC and there are a variety of low-cost ride options and car rentals which avoid the hassle of parking.