Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Alexandria travel guide

Alexandria Tourism | Alexandria Guide

You're Going to Love Alexandria

With a population of 139,966, Alexandria 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 Alexandria has to offer.

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Where to Eat in Alexandria

Old Town is the neighborhood with the most restaurants in Alexandria. These include popular favorites such as Mia's Italian Kitchen (100 King St.), Ada's on the River (3 Pioneer Mill Way) and The Warehouse (214 King St). If you’re looking for affordable options, Geranio (722 King Street) and Del Ray Cafe (205 East Howell Ave) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Josephine - Old Town (109 S St Asaph St) and Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza + Tap (401 E. Braddock Rd.) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Alexandria.

When to visit Alexandria

Alexandria in August
Estimated hotel price
$146
1 night at 3-star hotel
Alexandria in August
Estimated hotel price
$146
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Alexandria in July, when the average temperature is 78.8 °F, and the highest can go up to 87.8 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 28.4 °F, with an average temperature of 35.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in May, when precipitation is around 3.8″. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Alexandria, with an average rainfall of 2.6″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Alexandria

Plane

When flying to Alexandria, you’ll arrive at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is located 3 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Alexandria departs from Miami and takes around 2h 29m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Alexandria, followed by Acela. The train journey from Alexandria to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $17 for a 1h 47m trip. The train station in Alexandria is called Alexandria, and is located 1.0 mile from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Alexandria is to pick up a car rental from Washington, D.C., which is about 7 miles from Alexandria. You’ll find branches of Turo and Sixt, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Alexandria, including Bus, OurBus and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Alexandria takes 140 miles and will cost you around $50. From Charlottesville, the ticket costs about $49 for a journey of 185 miles. Alexandria’s bus station is located 1.5 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Alexandria, you’ll arrive at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is located 3 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Alexandria departs from Miami and takes around 2h 29m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Alexandria, followed by Acela. The train journey from Alexandria to Baltimore takes 0h 28m and costs around $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $17 for a 1h 47m trip. The train station in Alexandria is called Alexandria, and is located 1.0 mile from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Alexandria is to pick up a car rental from Washington, D.C., which is about 7 miles from Alexandria. You’ll find branches of Turo and Sixt, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Alexandria, including Bus, OurBus and Peter Pan Bus Lines. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Alexandria takes 140 miles and will cost you around $50. From Charlottesville, the ticket costs about $49 for a journey of 185 miles. Alexandria’s bus station is located 1.5 miles from the city center.

Airports near Alexandria

Airlines serving Alexandria

KLM
Good (1,405 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,001 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,494 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,040 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,006 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,997 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,400 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,660 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,482 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,398 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,285 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,556 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,236 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,050 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,133 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,046 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (278 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,907 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,117 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Alexandria

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Fort Belvoir Alexandria South and Comfort Inn and Suites Alexandria West. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Alexandria, with prices from $61 to $452 per night. Old Town is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Alexandria are about 88% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Old Town - In Alexandria’s most popular neighborhood to stay, recommended hotels include Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town National Harbor, Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection and Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria By IHG.

Eisenhower East - Here you’ll find travelers’ favorites such as Courtyard by Marriott Alexandria Old Town/Southwest, Holiday Inn Alexandria - Carlyle By IHG and Residence Inn by Marriott Alexandria Old Town South at Carlyle. The average nightly price for a double room in Eisenhower East is $106.

Old Town - In Alexandria’s most popular neighborhood to stay, recommended hotels include Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town National Harbor, Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection and Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria By IHG.
Eisenhower East - Here you’ll find travelers’ favorites such as Courtyard by Marriott Alexandria Old Town/Southwest, Holiday Inn Alexandria - Carlyle By IHG and Residence Inn by Marriott Alexandria Old Town South at Carlyle. The average nightly price for a double room in Eisenhower East is $106.
Most popular hotel in Alexandria by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Alexandria

Most booked hotels in Alexandria

Citizenm Washington Dc Capitol
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1922 reviews)
$93+
Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 825 reviews)
$161+
Washington Plaza Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 4694 reviews)
$115+
Omni Shoreham Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 2806 reviews)
$133+
Hampton Inn & Suites Alexandria Old Town Area South
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1698 reviews)
$103+
Hamilton Hotel - Washington DC
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, 5048 reviews)
$95+

Renting a car in Alexandria

Renting a car in Alexandria costs $62 per day, on average, or $185 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Alexandria (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Alexandria is Intermediate (Hyundai Elantra or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Fiat 500 or similar) are, on average, 66% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Alexandria costs $62 per day, on average, or $185 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Alexandria (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Alexandria is Intermediate (Hyundai Elantra or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Fiat 500 or similar) are, on average, 66% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Alexandria Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Alexandria city guide for the best Alexandria travel tips. To help you organize your Alexandria trip ideas, this Alexandria visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.