You’ve arrived at Georgetown, and there’s a lot to see! Here are all the ways to get around Washington, D.C. — whether you’re going monumenting or heading to a concert downtown, there are plenty of ways to get you anywhere you want to go.
GUTS Bus
Less like the Olivia Rodrigo album and more like the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle, first up is the GUTS bus! The GUTS bus departs from two bus turnaround spots on the Hilltop campus — one next to McDonough Arena and the other near the Georgetown University Medical Center entrance. It’s free for students and goes to Rosslyn, Va., Dupont Circle, the Capitol Campus and more. Each route has its own schedule, so be sure to check here.
Metrorail
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) oversees the region’s public transportation system, including the subway known as Metrorail (or simply Metro). Sadly, Georgetown does not have a Metro stop of its own. But if you take the GUTS Bus to Rosslyn or Dupont Circle, you can get right on the Metro. With stops at the Capitol, Nationals Park, both D.C. regional airports and Union Station, the world here is really your oyster. Unlike her sister in New York City, the D.C. Metro is kept spick and span. To pay, you can either get a Metrocard or tap to pay with a credit card or Apple Pay.
Metrobus
If the train isn’t getting you where you need to go, there’s almost certainly a Metrobus that will. Plus, you’ll get to romanticize your life in the big city as you look out the window. Same as the rail system, WMATA operates Metrobus and payments can be made with either a Metrocard or credit card.
WMATA just revamped the Metrobus routes in June, so here are the ones to know:
This is the bus line that stops right outside the front gates. It runs between the front gates and Howard University in LeDroit Park and has stops at Dupont Circle, Logan Circle and Shaw.
The D82 runs between Friendship Heights by the D.C.-Maryland border and Potomac Park, while the D80 has stops between Friendship Heights and extends east to Union Station. Walk about 10 minutes from campus to Wisconsin Avenue, and hop on to either for easy access to Foggy Bottom and West End.
The C85 runs throughout Northwest D.C. and can take you up to Tenleytown, where American University is. It has a few stops on Reservoir Road, near St. Mary’s Hall and the Georgetown University School of Medicine campus.
E-Scooters and Bikes
If you’re in a pinch, D.C. is smattered with e-scooters and e-bikes. You can usually find them parked outside the front gates or on any street corner. The main brands are Spin, Lime and Veo, and you’ll need to download their apps to use the scooters. They’re about the same price as an Uber would be, charging by the minute. Scooters are perfect for trips to Safeway or Trader Joe’s, and they are also just really fun to zoom around on.
The city-run Capital Bikeshare is another option, and there’s a bike rack full of them right outside the front gates. D.C. has a ton of bike lanes, so this is a great option too if you like to cycle. You can choose between silver electric bikes or red manual bikes. It costs $1 to unlock the bike, and five cents per minute to ride. Just be sure to ride to another bike rack where you can park it, and you’re done!
Walking
If you’re heading somewhere in the Georgetown neighborhood, walking is always a great option — so long as the weather abides. Wisconsin Avenue and M Street are about a 10 minute walk from campus, and both are chock-full of great restaurants, stores, ice cream shops, the movie theatre and a CVS. The Kennedy Center and the Glover Park Trader Joe’s are within walking distance too. Taking a walk is also a great way to clear your head and, literally, step away from campus for a moment.
Uber
If worst comes to worst, Uber and Lyft are usually a good fallback. An Uber to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) can cost anywhere from $20 to $40 depending on the time of day, while Ubers within the city are usually closer to $10 to $25. If only they took Flex dollars.
The destination will be great, and the journey will be too. Get out and explore, Hoyas!
