Washington DC Forum: Megabus DC Questions

I should have clarified. I am looking for a DC parking garage to leave the vehicle in, as we depart from DC to NYC via Megabus. Then, when we return to DC, we will be staying another week or so. The reason for wanting to stay right near the bus stop that first night is because metro isn’t running that early in the AM, and otherwise we’d need at least two taxis for the seven of us, which could get expensive if we stayed very far away. Plus, I was nervous that they’d not come on time, and we want to make sure we don’t miss the bus. Kind of rough working around these free/discounted tickets, but I am determined to do it. :) As far as hotels, I am considering the Renaissance downtown or Embassy Suites just for that one night, because they looked close to the bus/metro. We would need two rooms or a suite, and are usually able to secure a good employer-based discount. I realize that area vs. outlying areas will be a little more expensive, but if we can keep it under $200./night/room, that would be great. It is just for that one night, then I intend to move to the Residence Inn Pentagon City for the week when we return from NYC (or any other hotel suggestions that may be more accomodating). Just need vehicle parking in the interim. We can pay to park the vehicle at the second hotel for that week, but what I am concerned about are the three nights preceeding that when we are in NYC and our van is in DC. I am still open to other hotel ideas for that first night, but we would need some reassurance we’d be able to make it safely to the megabus stop on time. Maybe a car service? Thanks for your input!

The only place I can suggest is the Union Station Parking garage (Union Station is the train station). I would just preorder a cab for 4:00am at whatever hotel you decide to stay at. To move hotels to save a short amount of time that early in the am makes no sense to me. 7 people packing and unpacking for one night?

For overnight parking in DC, take your car to Union Station and park in the garage. I would suggest you do this the day before you go to NYC. That is the only public overnight garage that I know. It's $19 a day. Park in the long term parking area (not the first level; just follow the signs) If you were leaving later on the bus, I would suggest that you drive to DC, drop everyone off with the luggage and take a cab or Metro back to the bus stop. However, Metro does not open until after you leave on the bus. Also trains do not come in so early and you might have difficulty getting a cab. You could ask at your hotel if they have overnight parking and would they let you leave your car there until you return. There might be a charge, but it might be easier than leaving the car at Union Station

I would go over to where the bus leaves the day before and check it out so you are sure that you are going to the correct place. My personal experience is limited to Bolt Bus. I have never taken Megabus. The reason that the bus was so cheap at 5:00am is the logistical nightmare you have given yourself to save money. I wouldn't have done what you did, but you have and now you have some problems.

The above suggestions are all that I can offer you.

Megabus leaves from basically the same place as Bolt -- the wide walkway that runs through the public parking lot bounded by 9th and 11th Streets NW (10th Street doesn't cut through the lot; the walkway is where 10th St. would be if it did go through the lot) & H Street and New York Avenue).

Bolt's departure/pick-up point is closer to the H Street end of the walkway, across from the Grand Hyatt's entrance; Megabus used to be positioned right next to Bolt, but is now sited at the other end of the walkway.

This may sound more complex than it really is. If you type "H St NW & 10th St NW, Washington, DC" into the search box at Google Maps and then click the tab for Satellite view and zoom in closer, you'll have a very clear visual of my effort to verbally describe the scene.

The Embassy Suites DC Convention Center is literally right across the street (New York Ave) from your Megabus departure point -- and would seem well-suited for your family. As I mentioned before, the Grand Hyatt is at the opposite end of the same walkway. The Renaissance and the Marriott Metro Center are the next closest hotels after those 2. The next most convenient and more moderately priced hotel would be the Four Points Sheraton DC Downtown, just over 3 blocks from the Megabus stop.

I'd call both the Embassy Suites and the Grand Hyatt to inquire as to the availability of self-parking (cheaper than valet), what garage you would use. Even if you decide not to stay at either one, you'd have some leads as to what garages in the immediate vicinity are a possibility.

Thank you for the overnight parking advice. I do appreciate it. :) I have been to DC twice before, but have never had to park. There were quite a few other free/minimal cost bus times available, but we are very far out in a rural area with only dial up available, so I was not able to secure one quickly enough before the choice times that day were gone. It is indeed an unfortunate problem, but also a great opportunity for this many of us to cheaply afford transport to/from the Big Apple while on that side of the country. We will have to unpack/re-pack because otherwise we'd have to pay DC hotel fees for the three nights we are in NYC. Even if we went to NYC at the end of the DC trip, we'd still have to pack/unpack, and then pack back up to get back to DC (have to go back to DC in any case, at least to get the vehicle, which was a more economical means of transport cross-country for this many people vs. the current airline sales + airport parking). We will just take what we absolutely need for overnight in DC and the weekend in NYC, into the DC hotel the first night, and leave the rest in the vehicle, low and covered. We will not be leaving anything but extra clothes, so that part doesn't worry me. I plan to check out the bus stop area ahead of time if we get into town before dark, but just wondered if anyone could give me head's up on the surrounding landmarks, as their directions still show the "old" location, and in only one place on their site did they mention that it had changed. Just want to make for sure that they are taking off from the new spot. Hopefully we will be able to locate an updated sign in that location. Thank you for your help. :)

CockleCove, thank you so much for the bus stop location and hotel advice. I really appreciate that. You both have been very helpful.

I am not really clear on what the OP is doing. Are you renting a car while you are in DC? If you are, you really do not need one here. If it is a rental you really must have, you can turn it in the day before you leave for NYC and rent another when you return. The Union Station garage is well patrolled.

The area where the bus picks up is near a lot of hotels, but they are expensive hotels. Then there is the Hotel Harrington. It's a bargain and, if you just want a place to crash, it would serve for one night. However, remember you get what you pay for. It does have its devotees, but check the reviews if you are thinking about booking. You would need two rooms. It is not right near the bus stop so you could walk. You would still need a taxi.

We are bringing our own vehicle. It would be easier to fly, but right now even the sale rates for this many of us are running more than it would be for gas and parking. It is good to know the Union Station garage is well patrolled. That's definitely reassuring. I think we will stay at Embassy Suites. It is a little higher, but I will look into their discount for his place of employment. We stayed in downtown Chicago for a week in an Embassy Suites and his employee rate brought it down to the reasonable range. I'm hoping that will be the case again. Thank you for your help. I appreciate the tips and insights.

I ended up doing a lot of work on the parking question. As some of you know, I have a blog on DC with another person (actually he started the blog; I just write for it). We have decided to do a piece on parking in DC, and the best option for you is Union Station. In fact, it is the only option in DC. There is one other option but it is at Reagan National Airport. You could park in the economy lot there for $12 a day. After leaving your car at National Airport, you would need to take Metro back to DC or to where your hotel is. If you are staying in Embassy Suites Crystal City, you might want to consider it. There are no other realistic options. I did look into long term alternatives near Reagan National. That was $1.00 a day less than the airport economy lot and a lot more hassle. I guess people use it if the economy lot is full, but I can't see why they would if the economy lot had space--unless they were going to be away for a long time (and then they probably would be better off with a taxi).

I get ideas as to what to write about from reading travel message boards. Not all of our pieces are directly related to travel board posts, but some are.

LSKahn

dclikealocal.com

I wouldn't conclude just yet that Union Station is your only option, BFF. The Grand Hyatt's web site refers its self-parking guests to a garage connected to the Washington Center Building, and for those with over-sized vehicles -- which yours may be, given the size of your family -- to the garage at the nearby Marriott Metro Center (plus Union Station).

…hyatt.com/hyatt/…index.jsp

Moreover, every hotel that offers valet parking to their guests is stashing those vehicles somewhere & I'm willing to bet those valets aren't driving cars back & forth between Union Station and their respective hotels. Undoubtedly, the hotels -- like the Embassy Suites -- which offer only valet parking have an arrangement with a nearby garage whereby guest vehicles are allowed to spend the night even though that's not available to the general public. But I wouldn't assume your car has to be moved when you check out; you may be able to negotiate the downtown DC equivalent of an airport hotel's "park-and-fly" arrangement. Seems worth a few phone calls to find out. Hope you'll let us know what you find out -- it could be useful info for future readers here.