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Washington DC: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley & Arlington Cemetery

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/8

Duration2h 30m

Mobile ticketAccepted

See DC's Landmarks Without Planning the Route

You board a custom trolley at one of 21 stops across Washington DC, ride past the White House, Capitol, and major memorials with live commentary, and hop off whenever something catches your eye. After the main loop, you transfer to a shuttle for Arlington National Cemetery's 45-minute tour, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Arlington House. Trolleys run every half hour, so you set your own pace and timing throughout the day.

2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Start tour at Union Station
Visit National Japanese American Memorial and Museums
See US Capitol, Supreme Court, Library of Congress
Explore National Air & Space Museum and Sculpture Garden
Stop at shops and restaurants
Visit International Spy Museum
View Washington Monument and Smithsonian Museums
See Jefferson and George Mason Memorials
Visit Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials
Explore Lincoln Memorial and War Veterans Memorials
Visit National Museum of Natural History
See National Portrait Gallery and African Art Museum
Stop at Washington Welcome Center and Ford's Theater
Visit White House Visitors Center and Treasury
See National Archives and Navy Memorial
Transfer at Lincoln Memorial to shuttle
Take shuttle to Arlington National Cemetery
Tour Arlington National Cemetery and key gravesites
Return shuttle to Lincoln Memorial

The Experience

You've got a day in Washington and no idea where to start. The trolley solves that — it hits 21 stops across the city, trolleys come every half hour, and you get to decide how long you stay at each one. The route covers the White House, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museums, so you're not guessing whether you're missing something important. Live commentary plays the whole time, which actually helps: you learn why the buildings matter instead of just taking photos of them.

After the main trolley loop, you transfer at the Lincoln Memorial to a shuttle that takes you to Arlington National Cemetery for a separate 45-minute hop-on hop-off tour. That's where you see Arlington House, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and President Kennedy's gravesite. It's quieter than the city tour, and the pace feels different — less about checking boxes and more about standing still for a minute. The whole day runs about two and a half hours of actual trolley time, though you can stretch it longer if you get off and explore a stop on your own.

One thing to know: Arlington requires a real ID. US visitors need a state or government-issued picture ID; foreign visitors need a passport. School IDs work for people 16 and 17. It's not complicated, but it's non-negotiable, so bring the right document. The trolleys are custom-built with stadium seating, which means every seat has a view — no craning your neck from the back. Kids under 3 ride free, and the whole setup is wheelchair accessible if you let them know when you book.

What’s included

Hop-on hop-off trolley tour of Washington DC with 21 stops and live commentary.
transfer from Lincoln Memorial to shuttle for Arlington National Cemetery.
45-minute hop-on hop-off tour of Arlington National Cemetery.
children 3 and under ride free.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Historic Tours Of America

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see DC's major sites in one day without planning which bus to take or how long to spend at each stop — the trolley schedule and fixed route handle that, and you just decide where to get off.