Fairfax travel guide

Fairfax Tourism | Fairfax Guide

You're Going to Love Fairfax

With a population of 22,565, Fairfax is a must-see destination in Virginia, 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 Fairfax has to offer.

Where to Eat in Fairfax

If you’re looking for affordable options, Villa Mozart Restaurant (4009 Chain Bridge Road) and Uncle Julio's - Fairfax Corner (4251 Fairfax Corner Ave) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Earp's Ordinary (10420 Main Street Suite 210) and Mackenzie's Tunes & Tonics (3950 University Dr) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Fairfax.

Most popular restaurants in Fairfax

American
Wonderful (251 reviews)
American
Wonderful (186 reviews)
French American
Wonderful (171 reviews)
Steakhouse
Very good (148 reviews)
Italian
Very good (137 reviews)
Italian
Wonderful (82 reviews)
American
Wonderful (251 reviews)
American
Wonderful (186 reviews)
French American
Wonderful (171 reviews)
Steakhouse
Very good (148 reviews)
Italian
Very good (137 reviews)
Italian
Wonderful (82 reviews)

When to visit Fairfax

Fairfax in January
Estimated hotel price
$115
1 night at 3-star hotel
Fairfax in January
Estimated hotel price
$115
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Fairfax

Plane

When flying to Fairfax, you’ll arrive at Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), which is located 10 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Fairfax departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 50m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Fairfax. The train journey from Fairfax to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around $5 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $10 for a 1h 56m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Fairfax is to pick up a car rental from Washington, D.C., which is about 15 miles from Fairfax. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Sixt, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Fairfax, including Megabus, Bus and CoachRun. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Fairfax takes 175 miles and will cost you around $12. From New York, the ticket costs about $12 for a journey of 275 miles. Fairfax’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Fairfax, you’ll arrive at Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), which is located 10 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Fairfax departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 50m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Fairfax. The train journey from Fairfax to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around $5 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $10 for a 1h 56m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Fairfax is to pick up a car rental from Washington, D.C., which is about 15 miles from Fairfax. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Sixt, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Fairfax, including Megabus, Bus and CoachRun. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Fairfax takes 175 miles and will cost you around $12. From New York, the ticket costs about $12 for a journey of 275 miles. Fairfax’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city center.

Airports near Fairfax

Airlines serving Fairfax

KLM
Good (848 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,452 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,599 reviews)
Air France
Good (973 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,549 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,929 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,478 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,729 reviews)
Finnair
Good (878 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (832 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,160 reviews)
LOT
Good (682 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (911 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,516 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (708 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (487 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,607 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (180 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Fairfax

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Comfort Inn University Center and Candlewood Suites Washington-Fairfax.

Where to stay in popular areas of Fairfax

Most booked hotels in Fairfax

The Watermark Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (9.4, 263 reviews)
$204+
Hyatt Regency Dulles
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1034 reviews)
$150+
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fairfax Fair Oaks
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 476 reviews)
$140+
Wingate by Wyndham Chantilly / Dulles Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1947 reviews)
$94+
Hyatt Place Herndon Dulles Airport - East
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 3126 reviews)
$118+
Hilton Fairfax
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 2065 reviews)
$138+

Renting a car in Fairfax

Renting a car in Fairfax costs $47 per day, on average, or $140 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Fairfax (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Fairfax is Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard rental cars (Subaru Impreza or similar) are, on average, 63% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Fairfax costs $47 per day, on average, or $140 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Fairfax (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Fairfax is Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard rental cars (Subaru Impreza or similar) are, on average, 63% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.