BigDan

Hi folks!

I'm travelling with a rental car and four poor friends (plus me) to Washington D.C. on July 15 to 17. We are looking for a cheap hotel outside of downtown where we can park our car for free (or cheap) and take the Metro into downtown. I am familiar with Hotwire and Priceline and other discount websites. Just need good areas for bidding and names of hotels if possible. Thanks boss,
IamDan

KathrynT

I believe you can get better prices (and parking) if you stay out of DC in places such as Arlington and Rosslyn. Some dirt cheap hotels in DC are in very rough neighborhoods so you have to be careful.

bardo1

..and some dirt cheap hotels in DC are in wonderful neighborhoods and are quite charming. Here are three:

http://www.adamsinn.com

http://www.tabardinn.com/

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...dc/H26847.html

bardo1

I should also mention that it is very late to be getting a hotel for mid-July in DC.

Kristi

I stayed in Crystal City, a section of Arlington, which was very close to the metro line, took about 15 minutes to get to most of the attractions. I got the Hyatt on Priceline for about $50, it was the furthest away from the metro and was still walkable (15-20 minutes) or they had shuttles. I'm not sure though if they tack on parking charges, you could check the websites for the hotels that come up on Priceline for that information.

justme22

kristi has the right idea. my friend and her two kids stayed in crystal city and saved a bundle, the kids loved the ride into the city. definately find a place with the metro close at hand. i would NOT stay in a more remote part of dc to get free parking as others have posted there are some really rough neighborhoods.

repete

Rather than Crystal City, I'd say check out Rosslyn, which has moderate hotels plus the added benefit of being able to walk into Georgetown from many hotels.

Plus, it's just a much nicer area than Crystal City, which is totally devoid of charm.

Stephanie

You might want to try a motel in Old Town Alexandria on North Washington Street. I believe its an econolodge, red carpet inn, or scottish inn. Looks like it would be a reasonable place.

You may want to check into Catholic University summer housing, dorm rooms can be either rented out daily or weekly and ask if there is free parking. I stayed a whole summer there back in 1987.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Dirt Cheap but safe? Americana in Crystal City (might have a new name now) or Inn at Rosslyn (formerly Motel 50). Stayed at Rosslyn - clean, safe, older, quiet, but a further walk from Metro than I'd like, altho they do have shuttle service (owners' car).

I like the Rosslyn area that's been suggested. There's a Days Inn in Camp Springs MD walking distance from Branch Ave Metro (Green) station. Red Roof Inn in Alexandria that's a long walk or easy drive to Huntington Ave Metro (Yellow)

Further out, there's a Comfort Inn Alexandria-VanDorn with free shuttle to VanDorn (Blue) and Comfort Inn Franconia-Springfield with free shuttle to same-named Metro (Blue).

Really dirt cheap - Red Roof Inn Laurel MD - under 15 mintue drive to Greenbelt Metro stop (Green) and about 25 minute subway ride to central DC.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

If you park at a Metro station, you must now have a "Smart-Pass" with enough credit on it to pay for the day's parking. You could wait at a "Kiss & Ride" area while someone goes in & gets the pass ($5 + minimum of $5 value on it). Have had better luck with Greenbelt, Franconia, Huntington --- less luck with New Carrollton & Branch Ave for finding parking at Metro Lots.

birder

I have to respectfully disagree with repete - Crystal City is not devoid of charm. Yes, lots of office buildings. But they have some parks, such as the waterfall park where they have concerts during lunch, the underground mall is fun if you've never been in one and they have some good tourist shops for military memorabilia. The south end of Crystal City has some good restaurants. You are also very close to the Pentagon City mall and Pentagon Row, which is fun.

Granted, we lived in the Pentagon City/Crystal City area for several years.

Americana Hotel/Motel in Crystal City is very cheap and has free parking and free contintenal breakfast.

BigDan

Thanks folks, I'll be looking into all of these suggestions and will post our trip details later on. Thanks!