Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Alexandria travel guide

Alexandria Tourism | Alexandria Guide

You're Going to Love Alexandria

With a population of 139,966, Alexandria is a must-see destination in Virginia, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 5 days in order to fully appreciate everything Alexandria has to offer.

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Where to Eat in Alexandria

Old Town is the neighbourhood with the most restaurants in Alexandria. These include popular favourites such as The Study (116 S. Alfred Street), Virtue Feed & Grain (106 S. Union St.) and Emmy Squared Pizza – Old Town (124 King St). If you’re looking for affordable options, Jula's on the Potomac (44 Canal Center Plaza) and Founding Farmers VA: Alexandria (461 Swann Ave) are great picks.

When to visit Alexandria

Alexandria in August
Estimated hotel price
$223
1 night at 3-star hotel
Alexandria in August
Estimated hotel price
$223
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Alexandria in July, when the average temperature is 26 °C, and the highest can go up to 31 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as -2 °C, with an average temperature of 2 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in May, when precipitation is around 97 mm. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Alexandria, with an average rainfall of 66 mm.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Alexandria

Plane

When flying to Alexandria, you’ll arrive at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is located 5 km from the city centre. The shortest flight to Alexandria from Australia departs from Sydney and takes around 23h 24m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Alexandria, followed by Acela. The train journey from Alexandria to Philadelphia takes 1h 59m and costs around $26 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $34 for a 3h 17m trip. The train station in Alexandria is called Alexandria, and is located 1.6 km from the city centre.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Alexandria, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, Bus and OurBus. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Alexandria takes 225 km and will cost you around $77. From Charlottesville, the ticket costs about $72 for a journey of 298 km. Alexandria’s bus station is located 2.4 km from the city centre.

Plane

When flying to Alexandria, you’ll arrive at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is located 5 km from the city centre. The shortest flight to Alexandria from Australia departs from Sydney and takes around 23h 24m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Alexandria, followed by Acela. The train journey from Alexandria to Philadelphia takes 1h 59m and costs around $26 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $34 for a 3h 17m trip. The train station in Alexandria is called Alexandria, and is located 1.6 km from the city centre.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Alexandria, including Peter Pan Bus Lines, Bus and OurBus. From Philadelphia, the bus ride to Alexandria takes 225 km and will cost you around $77. From Charlottesville, the ticket costs about $72 for a journey of 298 km. Alexandria’s bus station is located 2.4 km from the city centre.

Airports near Alexandria

FDKFrederick
FMEFort Meade Tipton

Airlines serving Alexandria

KLM
Good (1,410 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,007 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,516 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,044 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,015 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,010 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,661 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,407 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,486 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,444 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,289 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,575 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,058 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,135 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,281 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,059 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (281 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,907 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,114 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Alexandria

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Fort Belvoir Alexandria South and Comfort Inn and Suites Alexandria West. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Alexandria, with prices from $93 to $692 per night. Old Town is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Alexandria are about 86% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Eisenhower East - In Alexandria’s most popular neighbourhood to stay, recommended hotels include Courtyard by Marriott Alexandria Old Town/Southwest, Holiday Inn Alexandria - Carlyle By IHG and Residence Inn by Marriott Alexandria Old Town South at Carlyle.

Old Town - Here you’ll find travellers’ favourites such as Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town National Harbor, Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection and Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria By IHG. The average nightly price for a double room in Old Town is $163.

Eisenhower East - In Alexandria’s most popular neighbourhood to stay, recommended hotels include Courtyard by Marriott Alexandria Old Town/Southwest, Holiday Inn Alexandria - Carlyle By IHG and Residence Inn by Marriott Alexandria Old Town South at Carlyle.
Old Town - Here you’ll find travellers’ favourites such as Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town National Harbor, Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection and Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria By IHG. The average nightly price for a double room in Old Town is $163.
Most popular hotel in Alexandria by neighbourhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Alexandria

Most booked hotels in Alexandria

See all
Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
$253+
View
Washington Plaza Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$179+
View
Omni Shoreham Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$207+
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Hampton Inn & Suites Alexandria Old Town Area South
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$151+
View
Hamilton Hotel - Washington DC
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$152+
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Hilton Alexandria-Old Town
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$213+
View

Hiring a car in Alexandria

Expect to pay $1.38 per litre in Alexandria (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $16.53 and $22.04. The most frequently booked car type in Alexandria is Compact (Nissan Sentra or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 67% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay $1.38 per litre in Alexandria (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $16.53 and $22.04. The most frequently booked car type in Alexandria is Compact (Nissan Sentra or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 67% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Car hire agencies in Alexandria

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Budget

Budget

Hertz

Hertz
Find car hire in Alexandria