Getting to Old Town Alexandria from DC is one of the easiest day trips in the region, and you have more options than most visitors realize. Whether you're coming from a hotel near the National Mall, arriving at Reagan National Airport, or rolling in on two wheels along the Potomac, Old Town is genuinely close — and the journey itself can be part of the experience. Here's every practical way to make the trip, so you can pick the one that fits your day.
Metro: The King Street–Old Town Station
The Metro is the most popular choice for getting to Old Town Alexandria from DC. Take the Blue or Yellow Line from anywhere in Washington and ride directly to the King Street–Old Town station — the primary Metrorail stop for Old Town. According to Visit Alexandria, the trip from the National Mall area runs roughly 20 minutes on the Yellow Line, though your actual travel time will depend on your origin station. Check wmata.com for current schedules and fares, which vary by distance and time of day.
Once you step off the train, it helps to know the geography. King Street–Old Town station is at the western end of Old Town's King Street corridor, about 12 blocks (roughly a mile) from the intersection of King and Washington Streets and about 17 blocks from the waterfront. City Hall, the Farmers' Market site on the 100 block of North Royal Street, and the main shopping and dining corridor sit between Washington Street and the water. That's a pleasant walk on a nice day, but it's farther than many visitors expect, so plan accordingly.
Does the Free King Street Trolley Go to the Waterfront?
The free King Street Trolley is a genuine asset — and a common source of confusion. It runs between the King Street–Old Town Metro station and City Hall/Market Square, making it a great option for reaching the shops, restaurants, and the Farmers' Market area without the full walk from the Metro. Hop on, ride east, and you're at the core of Old Town in minutes, at no cost.
The trolley's eastern end is City Hall/Market Square, a few blocks short of the Potomac. If the river is your destination, it's a short walk east from there to the waterfront, or take a rideshare the full distance from the Metro. Check DASH's King Street Trolley page for current hours and frequency before you go.
Arriving from Reagan National Airport
Reagan National Airport (DCA) is Old Town's nearest airport, a short drive or rideshare away. That makes it one of the most convenient airport-to-neighborhood connections in the entire DC metro area.
By Metro, Reagan National has its own station on the Blue and Yellow Lines. Board a southbound Blue or Yellow Line train and ride past Potomac Yard and Braddock Road to King Street–Old Town. It's one of the shortest airport-to-destination Metro rides anywhere in the region. Rideshare from the airport to a King Street hotel or the waterfront is equally quick and straightforward.
The Water Taxi: The Scenic Route
If you want the trip itself to be memorable, the Potomac Riverboat Company water taxi delivers an arrival unlike any other. Boats run between the Alexandria waterfront and the DC Wharf (and National Harbor, seasonally), letting you cross the Potomac with a view of the river and the Old Town skyline. It's a genuinely different way to arrive — step off the boat and you're already at the waterfront, no long walk required.
The water taxi is a paid service; schedules and fares are seasonal, so check the Potomac Riverboat Company's website before planning your trip around it. In warmer months it runs frequently enough to anchor a full day's itinerary: take Metro or rideshare in one direction and the water taxi in the other. Once you've explored the perfect Old Town day trip itinerary, the water taxi home to the Wharf makes for a satisfying finale.
Getting to Old Town Alexandria from DC: Driving and Rideshare
Old Town Alexandria sits just across the Potomac from DC, accessible via the 14th Street Bridge (I-395) or the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The drive from downtown DC is short in miles, but traffic — particularly on weekday evenings and weekend afternoons — can stretch travel time considerably. Rideshare apps work well and drop you precisely where you want to be, making them a practical choice when you'd rather not think about parking.
If you do drive, parking in Old Town is very manageable once you know the options. There are several garages and street meters throughout the neighborhood. Our complete Old Town Alexandria parking guide covers every garage, the best blocks for street meters, and how to avoid the most congested spots near the waterfront on busy weekends. For a full overview of logistics including Metro details and hotels, the Plan Your Visit page is the best single resource on the site.
Cycling the Mount Vernon Trail
For those arriving on two wheels, the Mount Vernon Trail is one of the best urban bike routes on the East Coast. The paved, mostly flat trail runs along the Virginia side of the Potomac from Roosevelt Island all the way south through Old Town and onward toward Mount Vernon. From the Key Bridge or Theodore Roosevelt Bridge on the DC side, cyclists can cross into Virginia and pick up the trail heading south into Alexandria.
The ride delivers waterfront views, passes Gravelly Point (famous for close-up views of planes landing at Reagan National), and deposits you directly at the Old Town waterfront — a genuinely rewarding approach to the neighborhood. Bike share options, including Capital Bikeshare docking stations in Old Town, make it possible to ride one way and return by Metro or water taxi.
Comparing Your Options at a Glance
- Metro (Blue/Yellow Line): Most reliable, no traffic, paid fare. Station is ~12 blocks from King and Washington Streets, ~17 blocks from the waterfront. Use the free trolley for the first stretch east.
- Free King Street Trolley: Runs from the Metro station to City Hall/Market Square, a few blocks from the waterfront. Completely free.
- Water Taxi: Paid, seasonal service from DC Wharf or National Harbor. Deposits you at the Alexandria waterfront — no walk needed. Check schedules carefully.
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Door-to-door convenience, especially useful from Reagan National or late at night. Fares are short-trip low from DCA.
- Driving: Quick in miles, but traffic varies. Garage and street parking available throughout Old Town — see our parking guide before you go.
- Mount Vernon Trail (cycling): Scenic, traffic-free route along the Potomac. Connects to Capital Bikeshare. Best in good weather.
- DASH Bus: Alexandria's local DASH bus network connects neighborhoods across the city; visit dashbus.com for routes serving Old Town.
Once You're Here
Old Town rewards arrival however you get here. King Street's mile of boutiques, restaurants, and historic rowhouses stretches from the Metro all the way to the Potomac, and everything is walkable once you're in the neighborhood. If you're planning a full day and want to know what to do after you arrive, the guide to what to see and do in Old Town is a good starting point. Between the cobblestone streets, the waterfront parks, the Torpedo Factory, and some of the best dining in Northern Virginia, the only hard part is deciding where to begin.