Bethesda travel guide

Bethesda Tourism | Bethesda Guide

You're Going to Love Bethesda

With a population of 60,858, Bethesda is a must-see destination in Maryland, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Bethesda has to offer.

Where to Eat in Bethesda

If you’re looking for affordable options, Kapnos Kouzina (4900 Hampden Lane) and Guardado's (4918 Del Ray Ave) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Guapo's (8130 Wisconsin Ave) and Melina (909 Rose Ave) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Bethesda.

Most popular restaurants in Bethesda

French
Wonderful (581 reviews)
$$$$
Contemporary American
Wonderful (248 reviews)
American
Wonderful (232 reviews)
American
Wonderful (195 reviews)
Steakhouse
Wonderful (107 reviews)
French
Wonderful (581 reviews)
$$$$
Contemporary American
Wonderful (248 reviews)
American
Wonderful (232 reviews)
American
Wonderful (195 reviews)
Steakhouse
Wonderful (107 reviews)

When to visit Bethesda

Bethesda in August
Estimated hotel price
$143
1 night at 3-star hotel
Bethesda in August
Estimated hotel price
$143
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Bethesda

Plane

When flying to Bethesda, you’ll arrive at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is located 9 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Bethesda departs from Miami and takes around 2h 34m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Bethesda, followed by Acela. The train journey from Bethesda to Baltimore takes 0h 27m and costs around $5 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $10 for a 1h 55m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Bethesda is to pick up a car rental from Washington, D.C., which is about 6 miles from Bethesda. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Sixt, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Bethesda, including Megabus, Bus and CoachRun. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Bethesda takes 175 miles and will cost you around $12. From New York, the ticket costs about $12 for a journey of 275 miles. The most popular bus station is Bethesda 7401 Waverly St, located 0.5 miles from downtown Bethesda. Bethesda Rockville Pike is also a commonly used station, and is 5 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Bethesda, you’ll arrive at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is located 9 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Bethesda departs from Miami and takes around 2h 34m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Bethesda, followed by Acela. The train journey from Bethesda to Baltimore takes 0h 27m and costs around $5 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $10 for a 1h 55m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Bethesda is to pick up a car rental from Washington, D.C., which is about 6 miles from Bethesda. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Sixt, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Bethesda, including Megabus, Bus and CoachRun. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Bethesda takes 175 miles and will cost you around $12. From New York, the ticket costs about $12 for a journey of 275 miles. The most popular bus station is Bethesda 7401 Waverly St, located 0.5 miles from downtown Bethesda. Bethesda Rockville Pike is also a commonly used station, and is 5 miles from the city center.

Airports near Bethesda

Airlines serving Bethesda

KLM
Good (847 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,460 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,601 reviews)
Air France
Good (973 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,549 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,936 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,482 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,741 reviews)
Finnair
Good (878 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (833 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,161 reviews)
LOT
Good (682 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (915 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (834 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,520 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (708 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (490 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,606 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (180 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Bethesda

Most booked hotels in Bethesda

Embassy Suites by Hilton Bethesda Washington DC
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1953 reviews)
$154+
Citizenm Washington Dc Capitol
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 4201 reviews)
$178+
Hotel Washington
5 stars
Excellent (8.6, 2813 reviews)
$303+
The Bethesdan Hotel Tapestry Collection by Hilton
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 737 reviews)
$159+
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1468 reviews)
$121+
Washington Plaza Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, 4210 reviews)
$183+

Renting a car in Bethesda

Renting a car in Bethesda costs $49 per day, on average, or $147 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Bethesda (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Bethesda is Standard (Hyundai Santa Fe or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Kia Forte or similar) are, on average, 49% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Bethesda costs $49 per day, on average, or $147 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Bethesda (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Bethesda is Standard (Hyundai Santa Fe or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Kia Forte or similar) are, on average, 49% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.