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, Josephine - Old Town (109 S St Asaph St) and Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar (1501 Mt Vernon Ave) are great picks.

When to visit Alexandria

Alexandria in December
Estimated hotel price
$135
1 night at 3-star hotel
Alexandria in December
Estimated hotel price
$135
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 Atlanta and takes around 1h 40m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Alexandria, followed by Acela. The train journey from Alexandria to Richmond takes 1h 56m and costs around $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $11 for a 1h 57m 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 Movly, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Alexandria, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, Washington Deluxe and Bus. From New York, the bus ride to Alexandria takes 265 miles and will cost you around $36. From Hartford, the ticket costs about $38 for a journey of 450 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 Atlanta and takes around 1h 40m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Alexandria, followed by Acela. The train journey from Alexandria to Richmond takes 1h 56m and costs around $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Philadelphia, expect to pay about $11 for a 1h 57m 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 Movly, among others, in Washington, D.C..

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Alexandria, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, Washington Deluxe and Bus. From New York, the bus ride to Alexandria takes 265 miles and will cost you around $36. From Hartford, the ticket costs about $38 for a journey of 450 miles. Alexandria’s bus station is located 1.5 miles from the city center.

Airports near Alexandria

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Alexandria

KLM
Good (1,441 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,684 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,066 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,183 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,088 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,171 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,716 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,523 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,471 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,628 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,654 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,370 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,133 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,174 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,351 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,733 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,122 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (289 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,890 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (189 reviews)
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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 $1,651 per night. Old Town is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Alexandria are about 6% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

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

Eisenhower East - Here you’ll find travelers’ favorites such as Holiday Inn Alexandria - Carlyle By IHG, Residence Inn by Marriott Alexandria Old Town South at Carlyle and The Westin Alexandria Old Town. The average nightly price for a double room in Eisenhower East is $112.

Old Town - In Alexandria’s most popular neighborhood to stay, recommended hotels include Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria, Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town National Harbor and Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection.
Eisenhower East - Here you’ll find travelers’ favorites such as Holiday Inn Alexandria - Carlyle By IHG, Residence Inn by Marriott Alexandria Old Town South at Carlyle and The Westin Alexandria Old Town. The average nightly price for a double room in Eisenhower East is $112.
Most popular hotel in Alexandria by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Alexandria

Most booked hotels in Alexandria

See all
citizenM Washington Capitol
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 2007 reviews)
$101+
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The Westin Alexandria Old Town
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 594 reviews)
$139+
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1261 reviews)
$138+
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Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 838 reviews)
$148+
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Crystal City National Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1211 reviews)
$147+
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Hyatt Centric Arlington
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 2645 reviews)
$141+
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Renting a car in Alexandria

Renting a car in Alexandria costs $50 per day, on average, or $150 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.14 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 $37.70 and $50.27. The most frequently booked car type in Alexandria is Compact (Nissan Sentra or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Ford Fiesta or similar) are, on average, 64% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Alexandria costs $50 per day, on average, or $150 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $3.14 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 $37.70 and $50.27. The most frequently booked car type in Alexandria is Compact (Nissan Sentra or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Ford Fiesta or similar) are, on average, 64% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Alexandria

Full-size

5 Adults, 2 Bags

$35/day

Full-size

Intermediate SUV

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$40/day

Intermediate SUV
Find car rentals in Alexandria