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City guide

Alexandria, Virginia

S. state of Virginia.

Type CityPopulation 159,467

Why go

  • Independent city in Virginia, US.
  • Served by Potomac Airfield.

History

Alexandria is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, bordering Washington, D.C. to the northeast. The city's population of 159,467 at the 2020 census made it the sixth-most populous city in Virginia and 169th-most populous city in the U.S. Alexandria is a principal city of the Washington metropolitan area, which is part of the larger Washington–Baltimore combined statistical area. Large portions of neighboring Fairfax County have Alexandria mailing addresses, but are administratively distinct from the independent city.

Airports

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) 3.7 mi to the centre
Washington, DC, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 16 airlines (American Airlines, US Airways, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines…) · direct flights to 91 destinations incl. Atlanta, Fort Myers, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Boston… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 16 airlines, 91 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 21 mi to the centre
1 Saarinen Cir, Dulles, VA 20166 — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 39 airlines (United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa Cargo, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 126 destinations incl. Atlanta, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Los Angeles… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 39 airlines, 126 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Washington Manassas Harry P. Davis Field (MNZ) 24 mi to the centre
Manassas, VA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
College Park Airport (CGS) 14 mi to the centre
College Park, MD, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Montgomery County Airpark (GAI) 24 mi to the centre
Gaithersburg, MD, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Potomac Airfield 9.6 mi to the centre
Friendly, MD, US
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Alexandria City Marina (Old Town) Ferry Landing
Ferry terminal · 3.7 mi from the centre
Outdoor
The Wharf Ferry Landing
Ferry terminal · 5.2 mi from the centre · City Cruises by Hornblower
Outdoor
City Cruises Washington DC
Ferry terminal · 5.3 mi from the centre · CityCruises by Hornblower
Outdoor
National Harbor Ferry Landing
Ferry terminal · 5.3 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Gaylord National Ferry Landing
Ferry terminal · 5.4 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Georgetown Ferry Landing
Ferry terminal · 5.4 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Alexandria, VA - The Wharf, DC
Ferry route · Potomac Riverboat Company
Outdoor
Alexandria, VA - Georgetown, DC
Ferry route · Potomac Riverboat Company
Outdoor
Alexandria, VA - National Harbor, MD
Ferry route · Potomac Riverboat Company
Outdoor
Alexandria, VA - Gaylord National, MD
Ferry route · Potomac Riverboat Company
Outdoor
Georgetown, DC - The Wharf, DC
Ferry route · Potomac Riverboat Company
Outdoor
Diamond Teague, DC - Alexandria, VA (Seasonal)
Ferry route · Potomac Riverboat Company
Outdoor
Wharf Jitney
Ferry route · District Wharf
Outdoor
National Harbor - Gaylord National
Ferry route · Potomac Riverboat Company
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Potomac Airfield. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Alexandria City Marina (Old Town) Ferry Landing, 3.7 mi); routes include Alexandria, VA - The Wharf, DC, Alexandria, VA - Georgetown, DC, Alexandria, VA - National Harbor, MD.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Alexandria, Virginia. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus, Rail · Maryland · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Bus · Fairfax, Virginia · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Bus · Virginia · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Bus · Washington, District of Columbia · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135 (16 seats) · First-class-only scheduled flights from Van Nuys to Aspen, Sun Valley, Cabo and Europe in summer.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Phenom 300, Challenger 350 · Fractional and jet card programme centred on the US Midwest and East.
Helicopter, by-the-seat · Helicopters, seaplanes, jets via partners · By-the-seat helicopters Manhattan–JFK/Newark and the Hamptons; jet charter through partners.
Charter, management, FBO · Managed fleet, light to ultra-long-range · Charter, management and FBOs at Van Nuys and Orange County; the original Hollywood jet operator.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.