[...]... or a meal at a fine restaurant It makes sense to have some cash on hand to pay for incidentals, but it’s not necessary to carry around large sums After all, even some Metro farecard machines accept credit cards now See “Money” section in chapter 3 for additional information 24 CHAPTER 2 PLANNING AN AFFORDABLE TRIP ATMS ATMs (automated teller machines) are everywhere, from the National Gallery of Art... Visa offers traveler’s checks at Citibank locations nationwide, as well as at several other banks The service charge ranges between 1.5% and 2%; checks come in denominations of $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1,000 Call & 800 /732-1322 for information MasterCard also offers traveler’s checks Call & 800 /223-9920 for a location near you AAA members can obtain checks without a fee at most AAA offices (AAA has... packages and deals from time to time 2 Visit a travel agent to inquire about airfares, hotels, car rentals, and combination packages These services are free Remember that not all travel agents are created equal: Often a budget travel agency will dig up exotic fares a mainstream agent will insist are impossible to get If you’re traveling to Washington from Europe, you can save hundreds or even thousands... anything else that you think might qualify you for a lower fare 22 Inquire about Amtrak Vacations and other money-saving Amtrak packages that may include hotel accommodations, car rentals, and tours with your train fare 23 Like the airlines, Amtrak offers several discounted fares; although not all are based on advance purchase, you have more discount options by reserving early The discount fares can be used... to an e-mail page you can use to contact the president or vice president • www.metwashairports.com: Ground transport, terminal maps, flight status, and airport facilities for Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports • www.bwiairport.com: Ground transport, terminal maps, flight status, and airport facilities for Baltimore–Washington International Airport • www.wmata.com:... National Air and Space Museum’s auxiliary gallery opened in Virginia, near Washington-Dulles International Airport; the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center is free and open to the public, displaying 200 aircraft and 135 space craft In fall 2004, the Smithsonian’s much heralded National Museum of the American Indian opens on the National Mall, its three permanent exhibit halls displaying up to 2,000 objects from. .. them as far in advance as possible to ensure low rates Your choices may be more limited later on If you find a rate that seems a particularly good value, book it early Hotels tend to offer special rates for limited periods, and the rate may not be available at a later date 43 Consider all hotels, no matter the rate category Almost everyone winds up paying much less than the advertised “rack” rate Even... of dollars by calling several different agencies 3 Buy a money-saving package deal A travel package that includes your plane tickets and hotel stay for one price might just be the best bargain of all In some cases, you’ll get airfare, accommodations, transportation to and from the airport, plus extras—maybe an afternoon sightseeing tour or restaurant and shopping discount coupons—for less than the... consolidators and always use a credit card to pay Several reliable consolidators are worldwide and available on the Net STA Travel (& 800 /7814040; www.statravel.com) is now the world’s leader in student travel, thanks to their purchase of Council Travel It also offers good fares for travelers of all ages Flights com (& 800 /TRAV -800 ; www flights.com) started in Europe and has excellent fares worldwide It also has... “local” websites in 12 countries FlyCheap (& 800 /FLYCHEAP; www. 1800 flycheap.com) is owned by package-holiday megalith MyTravel and so has especially good access to fares for sunny destinations Air Tickets Direct (& 800 /778-3447; www.airtickets direct.com) is based in Montreal and leverages the currently weak Canadian dollar for low fares 16 Book a seat on a charter flight Discounted fares have pared . of Maps Washington, D. C. , Metropolitan Area 43 Washington, D. C. , at a Glance 70 Major Metro Stops 76 Washington, D. C. , Accommodations 88 Adams-Morgan, Dupont Circle & West End Accommodations. Metro trains start running at 7am on Saturday and Sunday and stop running at 3am Satur- day and Sunday. To fund this expanded service, WMATA increased base fares (for the first time in 8 years). worth a visit even if you’re not trying to catch a train. Dawdle and admire its coffered 96-foot-high ceilings, grand arches, and great halls, modeled after the Baths of Dio- cletian and the Arch