Catch the Metrorail Washington DC's subway system is a good way to get around as there are trains running from the wee-hours of the morning to midnight or later. Fare cards are available for purchase online to make the travel process faster. Be aware that fares are higher during rush hour and the crowds are bigger too.

The best way to get around Washington, D.C. as a tourist is a combination of the Metrorail system and walking. The D.C. Metro is clean, safe, and efficient, with stations located near almost every major landmark, including the Smithsonian museums, the White House, and the U.S. Capitol. For the "National Mall" area, which is much larger than it looks on a map, the DC Circulator bus is an excellent and affordable option (often just $1 per ride) that runs specific loops around the monuments. For a more scenic experience, the Capital Bikeshare program offers thousands of bikes and e-bikes at docks throughout the city, which is ideal for riding between the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial. While rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are plentiful, traffic in D.C. is notoriously heavy and parking is prohibitively expensive, so relying on the "Metro" and your own two feet is usually the fastest and most cost-effective strategy for sightseeing.