Washington - a unique city with a distinctive character
Located on the Atlantic coast on the border of Virginia and Maryland, between the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, Washington, D.C. is currently the capital of the United States of America.
The choice of location for the city was made by the first president George Washington, and its foundation was laid on July 16, 1790.
Many believe that the layout of the streets and boulevards in Washington DC is reminiscent of another European capital, namely, Paris. And this is not surprising, because the architect, a Frenchman by origin, Pierre Charles L'Enfant, took part in the development of the master plan for the development of the future capital, although this project was not actually implemented during his lifetime. But nevertheless, this subtle similarity gives Washington a special charm.
The uniqueness of this city in USA is that it does not belong to any state; The District of Columbia is a separate entity, which gives the federal government complete freedom of action.
However, being in capital status, the citizens of Washington, oddly enough, do not have full rights to self-government. In Congress, they are represented only by a non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives and a shadow senator. In the presidential elections, residents of Washington were allowed to participate only starting in 1964, and they received the opportunity to choose the head of the municipality only in 1973.
Washington is also unique in that, unlike most American cities, there is no skyscrapers.
But you can take the glass elevator to the top of Washington Monument at 555 feet and get a panoramic view of everything city.
This county has the most educated population of all residents of the United States. About half of all adults have a bachelor's degree. This is because many of the nation's most ambitious young people come to Washington to seek public service opportunities and political careers.
In addition, Washington also has a diverse population. More than half of the residents in the County are from ethnic and racial minorities, including first-generation immigrants. It also has a significant international community. There are 176 foreign embassies and headquarters of various international organizations in Washington DC, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
This is the greatest museum collection in the world, representing not only American history, but the whole world with all its natural beauty, art, history and artifacts.
Suitable for family visits, as well as for those who wants to have a good time. Most of the museum is free to visitors.
Smithsonian Building
Smithsonian Castle is one from the many buildings of the Smithsonian Institution. It is located right in the shopping center, it is interesting to look at its unique architecture and the beautiful garden surrounding the castle.
National Mall- Walking along the National Mall, you can see the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Memorial Lincoln, World War II Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Many books have been written and films made about all these unique sights, and it is simply an unforgettable experience to see these monuments with your own eyes. And if you go a little further, you can visit the White House.
Back to news it's a public farmers' market on Capitol Hill. In addition to groceries, the market also sells pastries, meats, cheeses, art and antiques.
Georgetown is another interesting place.
Many people also know this area for great restaurants and shops on Main Street.
Restaurants in Washington DC
Washington, D.C. is one of the best restaurants in the United States when it comes to dining options. The international community brings its own flavor to the area's cuisine - from Caribbean, Chinese, French, Italian, Mexican, to Turkish, in addition to traditional American dishes, with local and organically grown products increasingly appearing on the menu.
And the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean makes it possible to diversify the cuisine with seafood, the most popular of which is crabs.
By the way, in Washington, along with expensive and chic restaurants with gourmet cuisine, there are many cafes and a moderately priced bistro with affordable delivery.
Many tourists and locals speak positively about local restaurants, focusing on healthy, tasty food and good service.
Of course, walking around Washington DC is very pleasant and interesting, or you can get in your own car or rent a car and go to explore the stunning beauty of the surroundings of the District of Columbia.
By the way, you can find a lot of great car rental offers on extremely favorable terms for customers on Bookingautos.
Parking in Washington
Well, if you are in the city and are the happy owner of your own or rented car, then you face a very relevant question, where to park this very wonderful vehicle. Two of the best parking options in Washington DC are garages and metered street parking.
But you can also find free parking in Washington DC. On Sundays or national holidays, the city offers free on-street parking and, in some areas, free overnight parking any day of the week after 6:30 pm.
Be sure to check all time signs if this happens when parking is prohibited. Most areas require you to clean your car starting at 9:00 am. When it's 9:00 am, you can park up to two hours in each zone. After two hours, you must move your car to another zone. It is not allowed to move the car to another place in the same zone. In this case, you can get a fine!
Another way to find cheap parking in Washington is to book it online. There are several online parking companies that sell discounted spaces if you book in advance.
Ronald Reagan Airport Washington DC is located across the Potomac River in Virginia and is the closest airport to the District of Columbia. It also houses members of the Senate and Legislature returning home to their respective districts.
Washington Dulles International Airport
This is the most important international airport, furthest from downtown Washington. On average, it serves 40 transnational and over 80 domestic routes.
This airport is a bit further away from DC, but this often results in the best airfares. This airport serves over 90 domestic and international routes and welcomes over 25 million people annually.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Hertz
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
30 € / Day
Best price
21 € / Day
How the price changes depending on the month
January
€165
February
€138
March
€140
April
€194
May
€198
June
€226
July
€239
August
€229
September
€188
October
€171
November
€147
December
€220
* The average cost of renting a car in Washington for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
In August rental companies located in Washington rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Washington is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €17, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
In summer, the demand for car rental reaches its peak. The choice of available cars is decreasing. At the same time, the price of the service almost doubles! For example, in July, the average rental price of the popular car model Mercedes CLA reaches €33 per day.
Our rental office in Washington can offer you a wide selection of over 40 car models. You can rent exact car model. All cars are new and technically fully functional.
What affects the cost of renting a car in Washington? These are three indicators: car class, time of year and rental period. The highest prices are in summer, and the lowest are in autumn and winter. The tariff is reduced if you order the service for a long time. Some specific examples: a compact model Opel Astra in March-April costs about€17 per day. But book a car right away for a week - and the price will drop to €24 per day. These are standard prices for budget cars. The middle class will cost an average of €44-€32 per 24 hours. This can be Mercedes CLA,Opel Astra Estate or BMW X1. In Washington convertibles can be rented for a minimum of €37. Luxury models raise the bar to €222 per day. Some exclusive cars are valued at more than 400€ per day.
Recently, in Washington has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Washington, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Renault Zoe.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 tips for your car hire in Washington
Download Google maps for offline access
Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Washington is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Washington. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Fiat Panda or Opel Astra. These models are the most popular with our customers in Washington.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Opel Astra Estate will cost €33 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Washington may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Washington for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Mileage without limits
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Washington, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Washington are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Car pick-up procedure
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Washington
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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