Bus

Most of the sightseeing neighborhoods (the Mall, Capitol Hill, Downtown, Dupont Circle) are near Metro rail stations, but a few (Georgetown, Adams Morgan) are more easily reached via Metrobus ($2 per ride, exact change payable in bills or coins or with a SmarTrip card; you can also buy a seven-day pass for $15). Bus No. 42 travels from the Dupont Circle Metro stop to and through Adams Morgan.

The DC Circulator has six routes (free). The Eastern Market–L'Enfant Plaza, Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square, and Congress Heights–Union Station routes cut a path from north to south; the Georgetown–Union Station and Rosslyn–Georgetown–Dupont Circle routes go west to east. And the National Mall route, which operates April to September only, stops at major sightseeing destinations around the Mall.

Several bus lines run between New York City and the Washington, D.C., area, including BoltBus, BestBus, Megabus, Peter Pan Bus Lines, TripperBus, Vamoose, and Washington Deluxe. Tripper and Vamoose routes run between NYC and Metro stations in Bethesda, Maryland, and Arlington, Virginia. All the buses are clean, the service satisfactory, and the price can't be beat. Believe it or not, with advance planning, you might be able to get a round-trip ticket for just $2. Several of the bus lines offer power outlets, Wi-Fi, and a frequent-rider loyalty program.