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 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Alexandria has to offer.
What to do in Alexandria
Top activities & attractions in Alexandria
Where to Eat in Alexandria
Old Town is the neighborhood with the most restaurants in Alexandria. These include popular favorites such as Ada's on the River (3 Pioneer Mill Way), The Warehouse (214 King St) and Mia's Italian Kitchen (100 King St.). If you’re looking for affordable options, La Tasca - Alexandria (607 King Street) and Hank's Oyster Bar - Alexandria (1026 King St) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza + Tap (401 E. Braddock Rd.) and Smyrna Restaurant (7588 telegraph road) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Alexandria.
Most popular restaurants in Alexandria
When to visit Alexandria
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″.
How to Get to Alexandria
Plane
When flying to Alexandria, you’ll arrive at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is located 5 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Alexandria include American Airlines, JetBlue and Delta. The shortest domestic flight to Alexandria departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 43m.
Train
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Alexandria. The train journey from Alexandria to Baltimore takes 0h 27m and costs around $5 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manassas, expect to pay about $5 for a 0h 40m trip. The train station in Alexandria is called Alexandria, and is located 1.6 km 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 11 km from Alexandria. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Budget, among others, in Washington, D.C..
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Alexandria, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, Greyhound and Megabus. From Baltimore, the bus ride to Alexandria takes 56 km and will cost you around $30. From Baltimore, the ticket costs about $30 for a journey of 64 km. Alexandria’s bus station is located 2.4 km from the city center.
Airports near Alexandria
Airlines serving Alexandria
Where to stay in Alexandria
Average rates range from around $302 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $452 and up for a 5-star experience. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Alexandria, with prices from $50 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 109% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.
Old Town - In Alexandria’s most popular neighborhood to stay, recommended hotels include Hilton Alexandria Old Town, Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town National Harbor and Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria.
Eisenhower East - Courtyard by Marriott Alexandria Old Town/Southwest, Holiday Inn Alexandria - Carlyle and Residence Inn Alexandria Old Town South At Carlyle have some of the best reviews among hotels in this area. A 3-star room in Eisenhower East will cost you about $158 per night.
Where to stay in popular areas of Alexandria
Most booked hotels in Alexandria
Renting a car in Alexandria
Renting a car in Alexandria costs $50 per day, on average, or $200 if you want to rent if for 4 days.
Expect to pay $3.79 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 $45.42 and $60.57. The most frequently booked car type in Alexandria is Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Smart Fortwo or similar) are, on average, 72% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.