In our opinion, the most important reason why location is so important for choosing a place to live is that long commutes make us unhappy. But high rent and the noise of cities can also make us unhappy. Platform Alexandria has the best of both worlds — great transportation access while being tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC.

Transportation from Alexandria, VA to Washington, DC

If you need to go into DC on a regular basis but want more affordable or quieter living, there is no location more ideal than Platform Alexandria. Just over the water from the heart of Washington, DC, there are multiple transportation options. A fifteen minute ride on the Metrorail yellow line will get you there, and the station is just a few blocks from our front door. By car, it takes fifteen minutes without traffic. There is also a dedicated bike trail that can take you over the channel in a reasonable 30-minute ride if you like to combine your morning exercise with your commute.

This guide will go over the details of the different types of transport here and everything you need to know to get around Alexandria and Washington, DC.

Braddock Road Station

Metrorail is our area metro system, and we’re lucky our apartments are near Braddock Road metro station, giving access to the blue line and yellow line.

The yellow line takes you straight to the Reagan National Airport and into DC.

The blue line can take you further into DC and also further South. The blue line also connects you with the orange line, for extra flexibility with travel.

Trains

Amtrak is easily accessible via the nearby Alexandria station. These trains will take you all up and down the East coast, and also towards Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Virginia Railway Express is also accessible via the Alexandria station, which is another option for getting to DC or reaching further Virginia suburbs.

Airports

We have not just one but THREE airports within an hour or less.

Reagan National Airport, known for being the hub that politicians use to travel, is a mere ten-minute drive from Platform Alexandria and a 5-minute train ride on the yellow line from our closest Metrorail station.

Dulles International Airport is a little further out, at a 30-minute drive, but greatly expands your flight options.

Baltimore International Airport is about an hour drive away, but again, expands your flight options — residents are often comparing these airport hubs to find the best deal on tickets.

Water Taxi

For a more relaxing trip across the Potomac, or for a nice evening, our water taxi stop is a quick drive or bike ride away.

King Street Trolley

The King Street Trolley, which you can access along King Street (a walkable distance from Platform Alexandria) is a great way to go up and down along this main drag.

Bikes

Biking is an easy and viable way to commute around Alexandria and into DC. Our city has a bike score of 91, which is incredibly high. There are miles and miles of protected bike lanes that wrap around our cities and travel across the Potomac River, as well as some strategically placed off-street trails. This bike map can help you navigate your transportation options.

We are also in easy biking distance of the most active areas of Alexandria, including the Old Town and Potomac Yard areas.

Platform Alexandria keeps secure bike storage on the first floor, so you know your aluminum steed is always safe and you don’t need to carry it up and down from your apartment.

Walking

Alexandria’s walk score of 62, and our apartment building has a walk score of 77, meaning many errands can be completed on foot. There are multiple grocery stores within a 15-minute walk of Platform Alexandria. We also have a few nearby beloved restaurants and cafes.

Driving

There’s plenty of nearby parking you can use to safely store your vehicle while you’re using the many other fantastic transportation options available to you. If you prefer driving, you can get into DC in ten or fifteen minutes (without traffic) and easily travel to anywhere in Alexandria in about as much time or less.