Old Town Alexandria Transportation Guide: King Street, the Waterfront and Beyond

Old Town Alexandria is one of the most pleasant places in the Washington region to spend a day or an evening: brick sidewalks, eighteenth-century townhouses, a mile of shops and restaurants on King Street and a waterfront on the Potomac. It was laid out long before cars, which is a large part of its charm and the source of nearly every transportation question visitors ask. This guide answers them.

The lay of the land

King Street is the main axis. It runs roughly east to west, from the Potomac waterfront up to the Metro station and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial on the hill behind it. The distance from the station to the river is about a mile. Washington Street crosses King about two-thirds of the way down and is the main north-south route through the historic district. Most of what visitors come for lies on King Street or within a few blocks of it, with the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the marina and the waterfront parks at the river end.

Arriving by Metro

The King St-Old Town station is served, in general terms, by the Blue and Yellow lines, which also serve Reagan National Airport a few stops to the north. Alexandria's Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express station is next door. Braddock Road station serves the northern part of Old Town. Metro is a good option for daytime visits. Keep in mind that the station is at the top of King Street, so the waterfront is still a fair walk or a trolley ride away, and that trains do not run overnight.

The King Street Trolley

The City of Alexandria operates a free trolley along King Street between the Metro station and the waterfront. It is a simple way to cover the mile without walking both directions, and it is popular with visitors. Hours and frequency can change by season, so check the current schedule before counting on it for a dinner reservation or the last train.

Parking realities

Driving into Old Town is entirely possible. Parking there takes patience. Street parking is metered on the commercial blocks and time-limited or permit-restricted on many residential ones, and signs vary from block to block, so read them carefully. There are public garages and lots within a short walk of King Street, and they are the sensible choice on busy days. The blocks of King Street closest to the river are closed to vehicles and given over to pedestrians, and a few of the old side streets are surfaced in cobblestone. On weekend evenings, during festivals and through the holiday season, expect to circle before you find a space.

For a relaxed dinner or a day of browsing, many people decide the car is more trouble than it is worth. For some, that means Metro. For others, particularly groups and anyone planning to enjoy the wine list, it means a ride both ways.

The roads in and out

• George Washington Memorial Parkway. The scenic route from Reagan National and Arlington. It becomes Washington Street as it passes through Old Town, then resumes as the parkway south toward Mount Vernon.
• Route 1. Runs north-south through Old Town as a pair of one-way streets, Patrick and Henry, and connects to Crystal City to the north and the Beltway to the south.
• I-495/I-95 (the Capital Beltway). Passes along the southern edge of Old Town and crosses the Potomac on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to Maryland and National Harbor.
• Duke Street and King Street lead west toward the rest of Alexandria and the I-395 corridor.

The parkway and Route 1 both slow down at rush hour, and the Beltway approaches to the Wilson Bridge can back up at almost any time. Build in a cushion for anything with a fixed start.

From the airports

Reagan National is only a few miles north of Old Town, a short ride down the parkway when traffic cooperates. It is the obvious airport for an Alexandria visit. Our DCA to Alexandria page covers that transfer. Dulles and BWI are much longer trips, across or around the whole metro area, and they are where a reserved, flat-rate car with flight tracking makes the most difference. The Washington airport transportation guide compares all three.

Mount Vernon and the parkway south

George Washington's Mount Vernon estate lies several miles south of Old Town at the end of the parkway. There is no Metro station there, so visitors without a car rely on a bus connection, a tour or a private ride. A popular plan is to combine the two: a morning at Mount Vernon, then lunch and an afternoon in Old Town. With a chauffeur on an hourly booking, the car waits while you tour, your belongings stay secure, and you are not tied to a bus timetable. It is a particularly comfortable arrangement for older relatives and families with young children, and car seats are available on request.

Weddings and events

Old Town is a favorite setting for weddings, rehearsal dinners and corporate receptions, with historic houses, churches, hotels, restaurants and waterfront spaces all hosting events. The same features that make it photogenic make logistics tight: narrow streets, limited standing room outside venues, pedestrian-only blocks near the river and guests who are unfamiliar with the area.

A few things we have learned from working events here:

• Choose vehicles with the streets in mind. A Mercedes Sprinter van handles guest shuttles between hotels and venues well, while a sedan, SUV or stretch limousine suits the couple. We will advise on what can comfortably reach a particular address.
• Agree on exact pickup and drop-off points with the venue ahead of time.
• Pad the timeline. Photos on the waterfront always take longer than planned.
• Remember the cancellation window for event vehicles: free cancellation up to 12 hours before pickup for Sprinter vans, limousines and special events.

See the wedding limo service page for planning details. If your event is across the bridge, the National Harbor transportation page may also be useful.

Connecting with the rest of the region

Old Town pairs naturally with its neighbors. Crystal City and Pentagon City are a short ride north, covered in our National Landing and Arlington guide. Downtown Washington, the Wharf and Capitol Hill are across the river, covered in the DC neighborhoods transportation guide. Many visitors stay in one and dine in another.

Booking a ride

DCA Limos serves Alexandria 24/7 with flat-rate pricing confirmed before you ride, licensed and background-checked chauffeurs and commercially insured vehicles. Sedans and SUVs can be cancelled free of charge up to 3 hours before pickup. Reserve on the booking page, review the fleet, or call (877) 609-1919 to talk through an event.