Information for Travellers

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Accessibility

The Visitors Bureaus provide information on tourism and culture for people with restricted physical ability. Information may be found here:
www.washington.org
www.stayarlington.com

Area Airports

The Washington, DC area is served by three (3) major airports.

1. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – DCA »

Distance from the Key Bridge Marriott:
4 miles/6.4 kilometers (approximately 15 minutes).

Driving directions:

Follow signs to Route 50 West.

Take Route 50 to Rosslyn/Key Bridge exit.

At the top of ramp, turn right onto North Lynn Street.

At the 5th light, turn left onto Lee Highway.
The hotel is located on the right.

The Key Bridge Marriott hotel does not provide shuttle service.

Alternate transportation:

Airport Shuttle »; reservation required

Subway service, fee: 1.6 USD (one way)

Estimated taxi fare: 21 USD (one way)

2. Washington Dulles International Airport - IAD »

Distance from the Key Bridge Marriott: 24 miles/38.6 kilometers (approximately 30-45 minutes)

Driving directions:

Take Dulles access road to I-66 Eastbound toward DC

Exit 73, Rosslyn/Key Bridge.

Turn left at first light, Nash Street.
The hotel will be in front of you.

The Key Bridge Marriott hotel does not provide shuttle service.

Alternate transportation:

Airport Shuttle »; reservation required

Bus service, fee: 3.1 USD (one way)

Estimated taxi fare: 67 USD (one way)

3. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport - BWI »

Distance from the Key Bridge Marriott: 47 miles/75.6 kilometers (approximately 45-60 minutes)

Driving directions:

Exit airport to I-195 West.

Exit I-95 South towards DC.

Follow signs for I-495 West towards Silver Spring/Northern Virginia.

Take George Washington Parkway South (Exit 43).

Follow approximately 8 miles and take the exit that reads 66 East/Route 50 - Washington/Rosslyn (DO NOT TAKE THE KEY BRIDGE EXIT - Route 50 is the exit AFTER the Key Bridge exit).

Off the exit, take the right exit that leads to 50 West - stay right onto North Lynn Street follow down to the 5th traffic light

Turn left onto Lee Highway.
Hotel is visible on right.

The Key Bridge Marriott hotel does not provide shuttle service.

Alternate transportation:

Airport Shuttle »; reservation required

Bus service, fee: 3.1 USD (one way)

Estimated taxi fare: 93 USD (one way)

Currency, Exchange and Banking Services

U.S. currency is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. There are $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills. Coins are the penny ($.01), the nickel ($.05), the dime ($.10) and the quarter ($.25). While 50 and 100 dollar bills are available, some stores are cautious about accepting bills larger than $20 because of counterfeits.

We suggest you convert funds into U.S. dollars before leaving home as you may obtain a better rate of exchange from your own banking institution.

There are many currency exchange centers throughout the downtown area and at the airports. They either charge a fee or take a couple of percentage points off the exchange rate for their services. Banks may not be prepared to handle other currencies. Bank branches are commonly open from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. during the week, often with extended hours on Thursday or Friday.

Banking services, ATMs, and currency exchange offices are available near the Key Bridge Marriott hotel; please ask the hotel concierge for directions.

Major travellers' cheques are accepted in places that accept credit cards, but are not universally accepted as cash. Most stores and restaurants accept Visa and MasterCard and some accept American Express and Discover Card. You usually get the most favourable exchange rate by using your credit card. Most ATMs are networked to Cirrus and Interac and accept major credit cards.

Electricity

Electrical outlets in the United States are 120 volts (60 cycles). They are of two types: type A (2 pins) and type B (3 pins). If your appliances are designed for a different standard, you will need to use an adapter.

Getting Around Washington, DC

Public transportation – Metro

Washington has a subway and bus system which allows one to get around quickly and easily. The Key Bridge Marriott is located just a few blocks from the Rosslyn Metro Station. Find additional information, including fares and schedules for Metro Rail and Metro Bus here: www.wmata.com

Bicycle

Ride with Capital Bikeshare:
Capital Bikeshare is Washington's public bike system. It is accessible to everyone, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. With over 350 stations and 3000 bikes, it's a great option for exploring the city. The first 30 minutes of each ride are free, each additional 30 minutes incurs a fee.

For more information: www.capitalbikeshare.com

Taxi

The DC taxi cab system operates on a meter system. Rates do not differ on evenings and weekends. Receipts are available upon request. Tipping is customary but not mandatory.

Fares begin at $3, plus 27 cents per each additional 1/8 mile.

The client may request a taxi on the street. When the sign on the top of the cab is lit, the taxi is available for a client.

For more information: www.dctaxi.dc.gov/page/taxicab-fares

Automobile

Road signs and speed limit:
The United States uses the English system of measurement, so speeds are indicated in miles and gas is sold in gallons. Road signs are in English. Please observe and obey all road signs and traffic signals throughout the metro area.

Cell phone and driving:
The use of a hand-held cell phone that does not have a "hands-free" function is prohibited by law while driving.

Parking

Downtown you can find many parking lots as well as parking meters, which are not free of charge after business hours (Mind your meter: they're checked often!). Most parking meters have been replaced by automatic pay stations. Numbered blue and white signs indicate where parking spaces are available.

Simply park your automobile and take note of the number of the parking spot. Next, go to the nearest automated pay station to pay the desired parking duration and place your ticket in the front window of the automobile, facing the street side.

Parking will also be available at the hotel at a rate of $10/day.

Getting To Washington, DC

An international destination, Washington is easily accessed by land and air.

Driving distances...

New York City: 225 miles / 362 kilometers
Baltimore, MD: 44 miles / 71 kilometers
Philadelphia, PA: 139 miles / 224 kilometers
Richmond, VA: 109 miles / 175 kilometers
Boston, MA: 438 miles / 705 kilometers

For complete tourist information, please visit: www.washington.org

Language

English is the official language of the United States.

Postage

You can send packages and buy stamps at any United States Post Office. To find post offices near the Key Bridge Marriott, visit the USPS website: www.usps.com or ask the hotel concierge for directions.

Restaurants

Metropolitan Washington, DC features several popular restaurant areas: Arlington, VA, Georgetown, The West End, Penn Quarter, Dupont Circle and Chinatown to name a few. The Concierge at the Key Bridge Marriott will be able to make recommendations, or you could check out the following websites:
www.opentable.com
www.washington.org
www.stayarlington.com

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in most all public establishments, including bars and restaurants. Please make sure that you inquire at your location regarding their policy before smoking.

Taxes

Sales tax rates differ slightly in Washington, DC and in Arlington, VA.
In Washington, DC, the sales tax rate is 5.75% and the restaurant tax is 10%.
In Arlington, VA, the sales tax rate is 6% and the restaurant tax is 7%.

Telephone

You may purchase prepaid phone cards in different denominations at most convenience stores or pharmacies. If you are traveling to the U.S. from abroad, check with your cellular provider to see if your phone can be used in the U.S. and what the charges would be. You can also purchase prepaid cellular phones from cellular providers (Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint) in the Washington, DC area.

Useful numbers:

Directory assistance: 411
Operator: 0
Emergency: 911
Police Non-Emergency number: 311

Tips

Service is generally not included in restaurants. It is customary to give restaurant waiters and waitresses a tip representing 15 to 20% of the total before taxes. In bars, the tip tends to be offered as you pay for each drink or round. Taxi drivers also normally get a tip of 15% as do those who render personal services such as haircuts. Hotel porters generally receive $2 per bag. Many counter service establishments have a tip jar: whether you drop in a bit of change is entirely up to you.

Weather

Average temperature in Washington, DC for the end of September can range from 60°F (16°C) as a low to 80°F (27°C) as a high. Be sure pack a variety of clothing for various temperatures. To check weather conditions for Washington, DC, visit: www.weather.com

The Washington area can be very humid. Be sure to keep water bottles with you, especially important for older travelers and children.