Priceline Hotel: DC Trip with 3 Kids and Need to Get to Dulles

[ToddH]

Hello,

We are visiting family in Maryland, and want to finish our trip with a day and night in DC.

We are planing to be dropped off in DC on Monday, July 8th. We will then spend the day there, and then spend the night, and flying out of Dulles early on the 9th.

I was first thinking of doing priceline for a hotel near downtown. The trick is getting to the airport in the morning. From what I read, a taxi from the downtown area is around $50

What I am wondering is if it would be possible to find a hotel with a free shuttle to Dulles and also access to the DC Metro to get around the city. Would the priceline DC zones on the west side of the city offer a shuttle?

I have never been to DC and want to do this as smart as possible. The other issue is that there will be 2 adults and 3 kids. I know Priceline only guarantees double occupancy, so we're risking a 1 bed room.

So, as you can tell, I need some help here. What's are best bet? What would you do?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I'll start that i think you're taking a decent risk using PRICELINE for occupancy of 5 when it's only guaranteed for two. Triple occupancy and quad occupancy are a risk too, but at least the typical standard hotel room is often designed for up to quad occupancy, one you add a 5th person it becomes a lot more difficult, imo.

I'm guessing if you're gonig to get everything you're looking for, you'll have a better chance at finding an airport hotel which offers a shuttle to the airport as well as a shuttle to the metro station in order to get into the city. I'm doubtful you'll find a Downtown hotel with a free shuttle to Dulles.

Given your needs, i would sooner use HOTWIRE (up to you whether you include quad occupancy in your search or not) and see if any hotels are offered which offer an airport shuttle... from there you can try to identify the property and see if the hotel also offers any means, or has any suggestions, to get into the city.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[dc3]

There's a PRICELINE EXPRESS bus from Rosslyn Metro to Dulles - costs about $3. So if you stayed in Arlington (Va) you'd be able to get to Dulles for a reasonable price. There's also the Washington Flyer, a bus run by a taxi company, that goes from a farther Metro station but it's a lot more. There are no shuttles to Dulles from downtown hotels and the airport is so far out that it's no place to stay for a visit. But they do have a Five Guys restaurant, which is the best thing about that miserable airport.