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Arlington, Virginia

Arlington, Virginia.
Photo: Theodore Christopher, CC0

Base here 2 nights instead of DC: hotels cost less, and the Metro puts the Mall 15–25 min away. Skip it only if you want to walk out your door into DC.

Arlington is a county that works like a city, directly across the Potomac from Washington, DC, and stitched to it by the Metrorail. Most visitors come for Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon, then discover that hotels along the Orange, Silver, Blue and Yellow lines are cheaper than downtown DC and just as quick to the Smithsonian. It is dense, walkable in patches, and best treated as a base with two or three sights of its own.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity); early April cherry-blossom weekends for hotel prices
Airports
Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) · Washington Dulles International (IAD)
Nights
2

About Arlington, Virginia

Arlington sits directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, within the beltway and beside Falls Church to the west and Alexandria to the south. It is legally a county but works like a city, with 26 sq mi (67 km2) and 230,000 residents, making it one of the most densely populated parts of the country. The federal government's growth has driven much of its development. North Arlington and South Arlington are split by Arlington Boulevard (US-50), and addresses often carry an N or S before the street name. Metrorail's Orange, Silver, Blue and Yellow lines tie the county to the capital, and most travelers pair a visit here with Washington, DC.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Arlington, Virginia: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Arlington National Cemetery — A federal installation that draws most visitors to the county.
  • The Pentagon — One of the national monuments and federal installations that proximity to the capital brought to Arlington.
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — Located in South Arlington on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, with its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines.
  • Potomac Heritage Trail — A walking route along parkland that lines nearly all of Arlington's riverfront.
  • Mount Vernon Trail — Another trail through the riverside parks, which have few visitor facilities.

Do

  • Walk the wide sidewalks and well-labeled intersections of the urban districts.

Customs

  • Arlington is legally a county, though maps and guides treat it as a city.
  • North and South Arlington addresses often begin with N or S before the street name.

Events

  • National Cherry Blossom Festival — One of the busiest times in the Washington area; hotel rooms fill quickly.early April
Emergency numbers for Arlington, Virginia911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Arlington, Virginia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, before tax and tip$18–35
  • Street or quick mealSandwich or lunch counter meal$10–18
  • BeerDraught beer in a Clarendon bar$7–10
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi flag fall plus per mile$3 plus about $2.16/mile
  • Metro or bus rideMetrorail ride$2–6
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
  • High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$260

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown SoldierThe Pentagon and the US Marine Corps War MemorialThe Rosslyn–Ballston corridor of restaurants and barsCrystal City and Pentagon City shoppingMetro access to Washington, DC
Airports
DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (In South Arlington on the Blue and Yellow lines; Metro to Rosslyn about 15 min. Most flights are under 2,400 km (1,491 mi) by law.) · IAD Washington Dulles International (About 40 km (25 mi) west; Silver Line Metro to Rosslyn roughly 45–55 min, or 40–60 min by car in traffic.)

Map of Arlington, Virginia

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

Falls ChurchWashington, D.C.McLeanAlexandria, VirginiaAnnandaleTysonsBethesdaSpringfield

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Arlington, Virginia
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    6°C (43°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    13°C (55°F)

  4. Apr

    Care*

    19°C (66°F)

  5. May

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    29°C (84°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    14°C (57°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

Best: Mar, May, Sep–Nov. Mixed: Apr. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Arlington, Virginia: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

6°C (43°F)

−3°C (27°F)

10 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

−2°C (28°F)

9 rd

Mar

13°C (55°F)

2°C (36°F)

10 rd

Apr

19°C (66°F)

8°C (46°F)

10 rd

May

24°C (75°F)

13°C (55°F)

11 rd

Jun

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

10 rd

Jul

32°C (90°F)

21°C (70°F)

11 rd

Aug

31°C (88°F)

21°C (70°F)

9 rd

Sep

27°C (81°F)

16°C (61°F)

8 rd

Oct

20°C (68°F)

10°C (50°F)

8 rd

Nov

14°C (57°F)

4°C (39°F)

9 rd

Dec

8°C (46°F)

−1°C (30°F)

10 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Use the Metrorail: Orange and Silver lines run Rosslyn–Court House–Clarendon–Virginia Square–Ballston; Blue and Yellow lines run Rosslyn–Arlington Cemetery–Pentagon–Pentagon City–Crystal City–DCA. Fares start at $2 and rise by distance and time of day (2026 estimate). Metrobus and the green Arlington Transit (ART) buses fill the gaps and accept the SmarTrip card. Capital Bikeshare docks sit near most Metro stations, and the Mount Vernon Trail runs along the river. Driving is a liability: parking is scarce and tickets are enforced hard.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Washington, DCgo

Door to door: 15–30 min

Metrorail Orange, Silver, Blue or Yellow line from any Arlington station

The reason most people stay here; Smithsonian museums are free.

Alexandria, Virginia

go

Door to door: 30–40 min

Blue or Yellow line to King Street, then the free King Street Trolley

Old Town waterfront and historic streets; easy half day.

Mount Vernon, Virginia

go

Door to door: 1.5–2 h

Metro to Huntington, then Fairfax Connector bus 101, or drive the George Washington Memorial Parkway

George Washington's estate; allow most of a day.

Falls Churchgo

Door to door: 25–35 min

Orange or Silver line to East Falls Church, then bus or a 20-min walk

Small downtown of restaurants; combine with Arlington's Far North.

Vienna, Virginiacaution

Door to door: 50–70 min

Orange line to Vienna/Fairfax–GMU, then bus

Mostly a suburban base; go only for a specific event.

Great Falls Park

caution

Door to door: 40–60 min by car

Car via the George Washington Memorial Parkway, or Metro plus a long walk

No practical transit link; a car makes it a half day.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Rosslyn

Closest to DC across Key Bridge; offices and hotels, quiet at night, best for early flights and Georgetown walks.

Clarendon and Court House

The densest cluster of restaurants and bars; Orange and Silver lines, 10–15 min to downtown DC.

Ballston

West end of the corridor; slightly cheaper rooms, more shops, 20 min to DC by Metro.

Crystal City and Pentagon City

South Arlington; walk to DCA, big hotels, the Underground shops, Blue and Yellow lines.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–100 excl. bed
Mid
$100–180 excl. bed
High
$180+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$200US$400
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$140US$560
Metro from DCA to Rosslyn, one way2 × US$3US$6
Metro day of sightseeing, one person2 × US$8US$16
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$101
Trip total≈ US$278 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,113

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Sandwich or lunch counter meal$10–18
Sit-down dinner, before tax and tip$18–35
Draught beer in a Clarendon bar$7–10
Metrorail ride$2–6
Taxi flag fall plus per mile$3 plus about $2.16/mile
Capital Bikeshare single ride or day passcheck

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Arlington is consistently safer than neighbouring Washington, DC, and normal city precautions cover it. The real annoyances are parking tickets, aggressive drivers at crosswalks and late-night bar bills: check the total before you order.
  • Metro closes around 23:00 Sun, 23:30 Mon–Thu and 01:00 Fri–Sat; last-train times are posted in each station.
  • Parking in residential blocks is permit-only on weekday working hours and strictly ticketed.
  • Arlington Cemetery is an active burial ground: keep quiet, stay on paths, and check the official site for changing security rules.
  • Pentagon tours need advance booking through the official channel; walk-up entry is not possible.
  • Crosswalks near Rosslyn and the bridges see aggressive drivers even when you have the light.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Arlington, VirginiaArlington, Virginia

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

Most embassies are in Washington, DC, 15–30 min by Metro; check your country's listing for the exact address.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Metro DCA → Rosslyn: about $3, 15 min
  • Metro Rosslyn → Smithsonian: about $3–4, 15–20 min
  • Taxi Rosslyn → Georgetown: $12–18
  • Metro IAD → Rosslyn, Silver Line: about $6, 45–55 min

Say or show

  • Where is the Metro station? — Where is the Metro station?
  • One ticket, please — One ticket, please
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • The check, please — The check, please
  • Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
  • Thank you — Thank you

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arlington, Virginia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity); early April cherry-blossom weekends for hotel prices · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contracts for DCA and IAD: last Metro times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Rosslyn, Clarendon–Court House, Ballston, Crystal City–Pentagon City.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Arlington Cemetery, Marine Corps War Memorial, Pentagon tour rules) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Cherry-blossom and heat-wave arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Arlington, Virginia

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