A day trip to Washington from New York

Why not take advantage of your stay in New York to discover Washington, the capital of the United States? Book this one-day excursion!

Booking A day in Washington (in a group)

Official Partner

The Washington day trip departs from 42nd Street, near Times Square, at 6:30 am. We recommend booking this excursion early in your New York stay. If you’re coming from Europe, jet lag actually works in your favor—waking up early won’t be a problem.
You’ll travel in an air-conditioned van or minibus with a professional guide. You can ask questions and learn throughout the journey. You’ll arrive in Washington around 10:30 or 11 am, depending on traffic on the highway through Philadelphia and Baltimore.
The tour begins at Arlington National Cemetery, where your guide will show you the Kennedy family grave. Next is Capitol Hill, the heart of American government. Your guide will present the monumental Congress building and the White House, the residence of the US President. You’ll also see the Washington Monument, an imposing 169 m (554 ft) obelisk erected in 1884 to honor the first US president, George Washington.
Next comes the National Air and Space Museum. You’ll see the Wright brothers’ first airplane from 1903, the Apollo 11 command module, and Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit—he was the first person to walk on the moon.
Your guide will then take you through the various memorials along the Mall. You’ll visit the Lincoln Memorial and the memorials dedicated to the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Late in the afternoon, the bus takes a scenic tour of the city before heading back to New York. You’ll return around 8 pm.

Book your Washington day trip as early as possible—spots are limited and there’s only one departure per day. To reserve, go to the Washington day trip booking page. Select your date, enter the number of participants, and complete secure payment.
The price includes round-trip bus transportation between New York and Washington plus a guide. Meals are not included. A tip for the guide is customary.
You’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code to show before boarding. You can print it or display it on your phone. Your confirmation includes all practical details.
The bus departs from 324 West 42nd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, at the SIDE entrance of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The bus leaves at 6:30 am sharp—no refunds if you’re late and miss it.
Important: you must bring your passport to enter Arlington National Cemetery. If you forget it, you’ll have to wait outside.

The US capital is definitely worth the trip. It’s only 362 km (225 mi) from New York by highway.
Washington’s main attraction is the White House, the residence of the US President. It’s the building you see on television almost daily, with the famous lawn where the President’s helicopter lands.
Other landmarks to see: the Congress building, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. You’ll also see the Pentagon, headquarters of the US Department of Defense. You can’t tour the Pentagon itself, but you’ll see the building from the highway connecting Arlington Cemetery to downtown.
Washington also has world-class museums: the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the outstanding National Air and Space Museum. The air and space museum is particularly impressive, with a unique collection. It houses the Apollo 11 capsule used for the 1969 moon voyage and other priceless artifacts from aviation and space history.

You have many options to reach Washington DC: rent a car, take a bus, train, or fly. I’d advise against flying—you’ll waste too much time getting to the airports, going through security lines, and dealing with boarding delays for a flight covering only 350 km (217 mi).
The guided day trip from New York described above is a great option. You travel by bus with a guide, departing at 6:30 am and returning in the evening for a full day exploring the US capital. Note that this tour is not operated by CNEWYORK staff, unlike our guided tours of New York.