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I will be in Williamsburg Virginia and would like to visit D.C. for the weekend. Which mode of transportation would be best? I think the drive is about 2.5 hours but I will not have a car. Would the train be faster than flying from Norflok?
If there's a train or a bus, it's probably faster than flying from Norfolk. With all the security hoo haa these days, you need to get there about 2 hours in advance of your flight, and it's about 30-45 min drive from Williamsburg. I know there's an Amtrak station in Newport News, and I think they even have a small airport. The security there is probably less tight, and it's closer to you, I think. I guess renting a car is not an option?
There's an amtrak station right in Williamsburg too. I would probably rent a car or take the train over flying from Norfolk.
You're correct about the drive from Williamsburg; but it can be 3 or more hours if you're coming up on a Sunday afternoon though (or a Monday holiday like Labor Day). Traffic gets really heavy just south of Fredericksburg and continues to the beltway on Sundays.
Yeah, to make it worth your while you'd want to fly from Newport News-Williamsburg (PHF) to National (DCA). Only AirTran, Delta, and U.S. Airways flies into and out of PHF. A quick scan did not find any non-stop flights between PHF and DCA or Dulles (IAD) for that matter.
As for Amtrak, it looks like the train would take just under 4 hours and cost $43-$54 one-way depending on which train you chose to take. www.amtrak.com
Renting a car and driving might be a bit quicker and perhaps comparable in price than the train. However you'd be dealing with the aggravation of traffic on I-95 and in DC proper. You could pick up a car at PHF or if there is an Enterprise office near where you're staying in W'burg, they'll drive the car to you or pick you up and give you a lift to their offices to do the paperwork and pick up the car.
