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Public Transportation Notes
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Useful Links:
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The Metro rail system is very nice, safe, reliable, modern, etc., but not very convenient to the Naval Observatory. The closest two stations are on the Red Line, at Dupont Circle and Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan. (Yes, "Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan" is the name of one station.) Both stations are within walking distance of the Observatory, if you like to walk - about 1.5 miles (2-3 km). |
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You can also transfer from the Red Line to busses that go past the Naval Observatory - see specific directions below. The Red Line stations to use are Dupont Circle (to N bus line, for South Gate access) or Friendship Heights (to 30s bus line, for Wisconsin Avenue Gate access). |
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Metro rail uses a "farecard" system for fares. Farecards are small paper debit cards with a magnetic strip. You buy them at farecard vending machines at the entrance to each station. The farecards are passed through the faregate (turnstile) when you enter a Metro rail platform and again when you exit at your destination. The fare - which depends on the distance between stations - is subtracted from the card when you exit. (If your card doesn't have enough money on it, you can add to it at special "Exitfare" machines near the exit faregate.) Generally, it is a good idea to buy a farecard with enough value on it to cover the entire week of the colloquium (if you know what your travel routine will be) rather than to buy a new farecard each time you enter the system. |
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Metro rail fares are based on the following:
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If you are going to transfer from rail to bus, pick up a transfer card, which is free, from the dispenser at the rail station where you enter the system. Usually these dispensers are right inside the faregates. (Do not attempt to use a transfer card obtained from the station where you exit - the bus driver will not honor it.) With the transfer card, the bus fare is only $0.25. |
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Busses don't use farecards - simply put the cash fare in the box by the driver. Bus fare is $1.10, or $0.25 with a rail-to-bus transfer card. Exact change is required on busses. |
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When you want to get off the bus, pull the cord to signal the driver to stop at the next bus stop. Leave by the rear door. |
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Eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited on Metro trains and busses, and in the stations. This law is strictly enforced. There are no restrooms at Metro stations. |
Take any Red Line train in the direction of the Dupont Circle station. Get off the train at Dupont Circle.
After exiting the train at Dupont Circle, use the Q Street exit (northwest end of station). At the top of the escalator, take a hard left turn and walk a half-block to Massachusetts Avenue. From there, you can either walk west (right) on Massachusetts Avenue 1.5 miles (3 km) to the British Embassy, or take the bus. If you decide on the bus, wait at the bus stop just to your right, on the north (odd numbered) side of Massachusetts Aveune at 20th Street. Take any N2, N4, or N6 bus westbound on Massachusetts Avenue. The N buses run every 10-15 minutes during rush hour. With a rail-to-bus transfer, the bus fare will be only $0.25. (Without a transfer, and on the reverse trip, the bus fare is $1.10.) The bus passes the Islamic Center (mosque) on the right, goes across a bridge over Rock Creek Park, and up a hill. Look for the statue of Winston Churchill on the left - this is part of the large British Embassy complex. Get off at the next stop, just beyond the British Embassy. The entire bus ride is only a few minutes. (See USNO neighborhood map.)
The South Gate of the Naval Observatory is on Observatory Circle, the small road beside the British Embassy. Building 56 is immediately inside the gate on the right. (See USNO site map.)
Take any Red Line train in the direction of the Friendship Heights station. Get off the train at Friendship Heights.
After exiting the train at Friendship Heights, find the bus stop for the 30s busses, and catch any 30, 32, 34, or 36 bus. From Friendship Heights, all the 30s busses go southbound on Wisconsin Avenue, which is the desired direction. The 30s busses run about every 5 minutes during rush hours. With a rail-to-bus transfer, the bus fare will be only $0.25. (Without a transfer, and on the reverse trip, the bus fare is $1.10.) The bus passes the National Cathedral on the left, and goes down a hill just beyond the intersection with Massachusetts Avenue. Look for a "Fresh Fields" grocery store on the left, then get off at the next stop, at Hall Place, in the 2300 block of Wisconsin Avenue. The entire bus ride is about 20 minutes. Cross Wisconsin Avenue to the odd-numbered side. (See USNO neighborhood map.)
The Wisconsin Avenue Gate of the Naval Observatory is on Observatory Lane, a small, steep alley beside 2251 Wisconsin Avenue. Once inside the gate, walk straight to the first stop sign. (See USNO site map.) Take a right turn. Walk past the tennis and basketball courts, the south parking lot, and a large white building (bldg. 52) on the left. Eventually you will approach the South Gate. Building 56 is immediately beside the South Gate.
Take any Red Line in the direction of the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station. Get off the train at Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan.
The Savoy Suites Hotel runs a free shuttle van to and from the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro station on a regular schedule. If the van doesn't show up for some reason, call the Savoy Suites at 202-337-9700.
Take any Red Line train in the direction of the White Flint station. Get off at White Flint.
The Park Inn is about two blocks away, at 11410 Rockville Pike. Rockville Pike (route 355) is the major road that parallels the Metro rail tracks, and the Park Inn is on the opposite side.
Follow the directions above to the Naval Observatory Wisconsin Avenue Gate, except that you stay on the bus one more stop - to the stop at Wisconsin Avenue and 35th Street. When you get off the bus, the Holiday Inn is right across the street, at 2101 Wisconsin Avenue. (See USNO neighborhood map.)
