City trip to Washington DC

When is the best time to visit Washington DC?

April is the most spectacular month thanks to the world-famous cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin: averaging 14 to 22 degrees, sunny and a vibrant atmosphere. Downside: during the National Cherry Blossom Festival hotels are 30 to 50 per cent more expensive.

September and October are the smart choice for combining good weather with low prices: 22 to 27 degrees, less crowded than summer and no festival surcharges. Avoid July and August: heat and humidity make sightseeing tough (feels like above 38 degrees), and school holidays drive all prices up.

Top 5 things to do in Washington DC

• National Mall and Smithsonian museums (completely free) The 3.6 km National Mall is the heart of DC. The 19 Smithsonian museums surrounding it are all free, including the National Air and Space Museum (with real Apollo capsules and the Wright Brothers' aircraft), the National Museum of Natural History (home to the Hope Diamond) and the National Museum of American History. Plan at least 2 to 3 full days for the main museums alone.
• Capitol and Capitol Hill (free exterior, interior by appointment) The Capitol, seat of the US Congress, is free to visit via the Visitor Center at the east entrance. Reserve a free entry ticket at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance via the Capitol Visitor Center website. The view over the National Mall from the steps is spectacular.
• Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial (free, 24/7) The Lincoln Memorial at the west end of the Mall is open 24 hours and free. Even more spectacular after sunset, when lighting illuminates the marble monument. The nearby Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a moving tribute with 58,000 names inscribed in the black granite wall.
• White House exterior (free) Walk along Pennsylvania Avenue for an open view of the White House. Access to the interior is only possible via a request through your congressional representative, months in advance. Lafayette Square across from the White House is also free to visit.
• Library of Congress (free) The world's largest library, with a stunning neo-baroque interior and permanent exhibitions about the US Constitution and rare manuscripts. Free on weekdays. Tours are also free. Located right next to the Capitol.

Flights and transport from the Netherlands to Washington DC

United Airlines flies non-stop from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in approximately 8.5 hours outbound and approximately 7 hours return. There are daily flights. Return tickets start around €550 to €700 per person outside peak season periods. Book at least 2 to 3 months in advance.

There are no intercontinental flights from Eindhoven Airport to the US. Travel to Schiphol (approximately 1.5 hours) for the non-stop connection. Alternatives via London, Dublin or Frankfurt are generally more expensive and extend travel time to 12 to 14 hours.

From Dulles to the city centre: take the Washington Flyer Coach bus ($6) to Wiehle-Reston East metro station, followed by the Silver Line Metro to the centre (approximately $6.25). Total cost approximately $12 to $13, journey time approximately 75 to 90 minutes. A SmarTrip card (like an OV-chipkaart) is required for the metro. A taxi or Uber costs $50 to $80.

How much does a Washington DC city trip cost?

Hostels in DC cost approximately $40 to $80 per night in a dormitory. Budget hotels (outside the centre, in Virginia or Maryland) start around $90 to $140 per night. Hotels in the centre cost $150 to $300 and more. DC benefits enormously from its free attractions: the 19 Smithsonian museums mean you can sightsee for days without paying entry fees.

Food: food trucks on the National Mall and in the centre cost $8 to $14 for a meal. A casual restaurant costs $20 to $35 per person. If you're near Eastern Market (Capitol Hill) on a Saturday or Sunday, the artisan food vendors offer excellent, affordable options.