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Arlington National Cemetery: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley & JFK Gravesite

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration45m

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

A trolley circles the graves while you step off to stand in front of history

You board a trolley at Arlington National Cemetery and ride a full loop with seven stops, getting off whenever a grave or memorial pulls you. The guide provides live commentary from the trolley, but the pace is yours—spend twenty minutes at the JFK Eternal Flame or move through in two hours. Bring a valid passport or government ID; it's required for entry and checked at the gate.

45m

Step-by-step itinerary

Board hop-on hop-off trolley
Visit JFK Gravesite and Eternal Flame
See Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Explore US Coast Guard Memorial
Stop at IWO Jima Memorial outside gate
Visit Arlington House
View John J Pershing Gravesite
See Memorial Amphitheater
Optional weekend visit to Section 60 and Colin Powell Gravesite

The Experience

Hands grip the trolley rail as it pulls away from the entrance, and the guide's voice settles into the rhythm of the route. You're moving through Arlington National Cemetery at your own pace—that's the whole point of this hop-on hop-off tour in Washington DC. The trolley makes a full loop with seven stops, and you decide which ones matter to you. Some people stay on for the whole ride and listen; others get off at the JFK Gravesite to stand in front of the Eternal Flame, or step down at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to read the inscription. The guide is there on the trolley, offering context and stories, but the time is yours.

The stops themselves are the architecture of the day. You'll pass the John J Pershing Gravesite, roll past the Memorial Amphitheater, get off at the ORD & Weitzel Gate where the IWO Jima Memorial rises outside the cemetery fence, and on weekends, the trolley stops at Section 60 to show you where Colin Powell is buried. Arlington House sits on the hill—the plantation house that became a monument—and the trolley takes you close enough to see it. The whole loop takes as long as you let it; the trolley comes around again if you want another ride, or you can walk the grounds between stops. A professional guide narrates from the trolley, so even if you stay seated, you're learning the cemetery's history and the weight of what's buried here.

One thing to know before you book: Arlington National Cemetery requires a 100% ID check with no exceptions. All US visitors need a state or government-issued picture ID—a driver's license works, or a passport. If you're 16 or 17, a valid school ID is acceptable. Foreign visitors must bring a passport; foreign ID cards won't get you through the gate. It's not a hassle once you know it, but it's non-negotiable, so plan accordingly. The trolley itself is wheelchair accessible, and if you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, let them know when you book. Strollers are fine if they collapse, and service animals are allowed.

What’s included

Professional onboard guide providing live commentary.
hop-on hop-off trolley transport for one complete loop around Arlington National Cemetery.
access to all seven stops including the JFK Gravesite/Eternal Flame, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, US Coast Guard Memorial, IWO Jima Memorial, and Arlington House.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Historic Tours Of America

Is this one for you?Right for visitors who want to see Arlington's major memorials and graves without arranging their own transportation or timing—the trolley handles the route while you control how long you pause at each stop.