National Harbor travel guide

National Harbor travel guide

National Airports

There are no airports in National Harbor itself. However, the following national airports are near National Harbor:

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – located 8 miles away from National Harbor in Arlington, Virginia.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – located 36 miles away from National Harbor in Dulles, Virginia.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) – located 42 miles away from National Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland.

Trains in National Harbor

National Harbor does not have a train station, but visitors can take the Amtrak train to nearby stations such as Union Station in Washington, D.C. or Alexandria, Virginia, and then use other forms of transportation to get to National Harbor.

Buses in National Harbor

National Harbor is a relatively small area located just south of Washington, DC, and therefore does not have its own dedicated bus system. However, there are several regional bus services that serve National Harbor, including:

Metrobus: Metrobus operates several routes that connect National Harbor to other parts of the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

TheBus: TheBus is a regional bus service operated by the Prince George’s County government, and it also serves National Harbor.

DC Circulator: The DC Circulator is a bus system that serves several neighborhoods in Washington, DC, and one of its routes runs from downtown DC to National Harbor.

Greyhound: Greyhound is a national bus service that operates a station in nearby Alexandria, Virginia, with connections to many other cities in the region.

Megabus: Megabus is another national bus service that operates a station in nearby Washington, DC, with connections to other cities in the region.

Additionally, some hotels and attractions in National Harbor may offer shuttle services for their guests.

How to get to National Harbor

National Harbor is located in Maryland, just south of Washington, D.C. Here are some ways to get to National Harbor:

By car: National Harbor is easily accessible by car via the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95) and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. There are several parking garages and lots available in National Harbor.

By plane: The nearest major airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which is about 8 miles away. Other nearby airports include Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

By train: Amtrak and MARC train service are available at the nearby Union Station in Washington, D.C. From there, you can take the NH2 Metrobus to National Harbor.

By bus: The NH1 and NH2 Metrobus lines run between National Harbor and various locations in Washington, D.C. and Virginia. Greyhound and other bus companies also offer service to the area.

What is the best time to travel to National Harbor

The best time to visit National Harbor depends on your preferences and what you plan to do. The summer months of June to August are the most popular time to visit because of the warm weather and numerous outdoor events. However, this is also peak tourist season, which means higher hotel rates and larger crowds.

If you prefer cooler weather and fewer crowds, the months of September to November and March to May are good times to visit. During these times, the weather is generally pleasant, and there are still plenty of indoor and outdoor activities available. The winter months of December to February are the least popular time to visit because of the colder weather, but there are still holiday events and indoor activities to enjoy.

How to get around National Harbor

National Harbor is a relatively small area and it is easy to get around on foot. However, there are also several transportation options available:

Water Taxi: National Harbor offers water taxi services that can take you to various destinations on the Potomac River, including Alexandria, Mount Vernon, and Georgetown.

Shuttle Services: There are several shuttle services that operate in the National Harbor area, including the NH1 Shuttle, which provides transportation to the MGM Casino and Tanger Outlets.

Bus: The Washington Metrobus system provides service to National Harbor via several routes, including the NH1 and NH2.

Car: If you have a car, there are several parking garages and lots in National Harbor where you can park. However, parking can be expensive, so you may want to consider using one of the other transportation options instead.

Bicycle: Capital Bikeshare is available in the National Harbor area, which allows you to rent a bicycle to get around the area.

Accommodations in National Harbor

There are several options for accommodations in National Harbor, including hotels and vacation rentals. Some of the popular hotels in the area include:

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

AC Hotel by Marriott National Harbor

The Westin Washington National Harbor

MGM National Harbor

Hampton Inn & Suites National Harbor/Alexandria Area

For vacation rentals, popular platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have listings for apartments and homes in National Harbor and the surrounding areas.