How to Find Cheap Hotels in Washington, D.C.. Travel to the nation's capital, one of the most visited places in the United States. Historical landmarks, government offices, national centers and iconic monuments dot the landscape along the Potomac River.
Plan your trip by calling the Washington, D.C. Convention and Tourism Corporation at 800-422-8644 or by visiting its website (see Resources below).
Live like the locals in a guesthouse or brownstone. These smaller, more intimate accommodations are located throughout the capital and often include breakfast. Many are in historic buildings.
Book cheap accommodations in advance, particularly for off-season travel. Some hotels and inns will offer discounted rates for early reservations. Early spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, is a great time to travel to Washington, D.C.
Consider an apartment swap. If you live in a popular city such as Los Angeles or New York, you may find it especially easy.
Book a room outside the downtown area to avoid the 14.5 percent hotel tax.
Ride into the heart of the capital from anywhere in the United States on Amtrak. Its D.C. stop, Union Station, is just minutes away from the Capitol Building.
Fly into Reagan International, Dulles International or Baltimore-Washington International airports. Reagan is the closest to D.C. proper. Commuter flights from New York and Boston are often very inexpensive.
Use the Metro subway system to get around town. Everybody from law clerks to newspaper vendors does. Day passes are reasonably cheap at just over $6, and they serve the entire city.
Mingle amongst the power-brokers in Washington. The city became the nation's capital after Congress voted to move its operations down from New York City in 1791.
Learn about the United States in Washington. No other city in the U.S. houses so many of the nation's great documents and works of art or offers so much education to its guests. Many young visitors have chosen a life in public service following a first trip to the capital.
