Need help, DC folk

[dare2be]

Wife and daughter are taking Amtrak from Pittsburgh to Jacksonville tomorrow, with a 6+ hour stop in DC. They want to go to the Natural History Museum while they are there. We figured out the Metro stations to use (Red line Union Station to Metro Center, transfer to Orange or Blue from Metro Center to Federal Triangle).

Question is, how do the fares work? Here is what I have from the website:

Note: Fares below are for trips paid with SmarTrip®. Fares paid with farecards cost $1 more.

Union Station to Federal Triangle:
Peak: $2.10
Off-Peak: $1.70

What is SmarTrip and farecards and how do they pay for them? Or do they need to pay cash at some point?

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Smart trip is a reloads me card but to have to pay for it. Since they are not residents and won't be using it again, just pay the dollar more and get regular farecerds. They have redone the natural History museum and it is pretty fantastic now.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

They should be able to pay cash or credit right at a fare card station at Any station.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Oh, one more thing. You have to buy separate cards for each person. You can't use one loaded for more than one fare, I don't think. So 4.20 per for each person.

 

[dare2be]

Oh, one more thing. You have to buy separate cards for each person. You can't use one loaded for more than one fare, I don't think. So 4.20 per for each person.

So, 5.20 per for each person, since farecards are $1 more, or is that $1 more per trip? Which would be $6.20 per?

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Probably 6.20. I have a smartcard so in not sure but I think I would pay the extra buck just to be safe. The museum is free so it still ends up a cheap afternoon of fun.

 

[dare2be]

Actually, the trip to the museum will be around the 1:00pm timeframe, so that would be off-peak (1.70). So if I have this right: $1.70+$1 plus $2.10+$1 return trip = $5.80 per?

 

[dare2be]

Wonder if a 6-minute cab ride would be easier/quicker/not much more total $?

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Yes! I figured it would be peak.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

The metro ride is quick as hell, maybe 15 minutes total. Those stations are uber close together.

 

[elocomotive]

Wonder if a 6-minute cab ride would be easier/quicker/not much more total $?

I'd say it's walkable, but it's been so damn hot lately. Cab ride would not be too much more expensive for that short of a hike. You are talking about roughly $20 round trip (2 cab rides) with tip. Slightly more expensive, but might be easier than trying to figure it out when your time is limited.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

I was gonna say walk too. The. I remember the candle that melted in my cup holder today.

 

[dare2be]

Yeah, walking is out due to the heat. Even with the metro, it'll be about a 2-3 block walk. I might just suggest to them a cab.

 

[elocomotive]

Hope they enjoy their visit!

If they want food, near Metro Center on 7th St has a ton of great places. If they are down on the Mall, the American Indian Musuem is tops by far. And of course, Union Station has tons of options.

 

[ritari330]

Pretty much what these numbskulls said. Maybe suggest going to the botanical garden, there's a rare flower called the corpse flower which is near blooming. Only like a handful or so have ever bloomed in North America. A warning though, it's supposed to smell really bad, like a corpse.

 

[Comeds]

What? No Baltimore stop? Dont you want them to experience the thrill of being shot at?

Twice this week for me, one minor wound. Overall a good week.

 

[ThruTheEyesOfRuby]

What? No Baltimore stop? Dont you want them to experience the thrill of being shot at?

Twice this week for me, one minor wound. Overall a good week.

You were shot at? Holy frick, man.

 

[ThruTheEyesOfRuby]

Normally I would recommend taking the Metro and walking the rest of the way... it really, really is a pleasant excursion. Considering there might be storms rolling through on Saturday, it's a 6 hour visit, and the heat might be oppressive enough, I'd say go with a cab.

 

[dare2be]

Thanks all for the suggestions. They are on the Amtrak train now which is currently almost 2 hours behind schedule, so the excursion may be out the window. Will keep you posted.

 

[Comeds]

You were shot at? Holy frick, man.

Nope, just kidding and making fun of the crime here.