(202) 335-4645
Transportation to Attractions

Charter Bus Transportation to Washington DC Attractions & Venues

Book a charter bus rental service for streamlined and efficient group transportation to major Washington DC attractions.

A charter bus rental in Washington DC is the most convenient and reliable way to travel with a group to major attractions and venues around the city. Whether you need field trip transportation to a Smithsonian museum or want a DC tour bus rental to bring a group to The White House, a charter bus service can get your group through busy city traffic comfortably.

It’s also important to know that Washington DC has strict regulations for charter bus travel. To avoid downtown gridlock, reduce carbon emissions, and preserve security, the DDOT, DMV, and FMCSA have local rules to follow to keep traffic flowing smoothly. These are the most important ones to note:

  • The 3-Minute Idling Rule: It is prohibited to leave a bus engine running for more than three minutes while stationary. This rule is strictly enforced by the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Park Police.
  • Active Streetside Loading/Unloading Only: Charter buses can only load and unload passengers in designated curbside zones that are clearly marked throughout the city.
  • Geographic Security/Street Exclusions: Buses are banned from traveling or idling in the U.S. Capitol Grounds, the White House Corridor, and the Capitol Hill Historic District.
Call (202) 335-4645 for a Charter Bus Rental in Washington DC

the US capitol building in washington dc at sunset

Washington DC Charter Bus Parking Options

There are three primary off-street motorcoach parking facilities in Washington DC that can be used for daily, overnight, and long-term parking.

Union Station Bus Terminal

Address: 30 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002

The station includes amenities for driver’s comfort, including a lounge with A/C, vending machines, and private restrooms/showers. Reservations are required and can be arranged in advance by emailing management.

  • Capacity: 32 spaces
  • Rates: $60-$75 per day

RFK Stadium Lots 6 & 7

Address: 2400 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

The decommissioned Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a high-capacity surface lot located on the eastern edge of the city. Parking is first-come, first-served. It is primarily an outdoor, uncovered staging yard and does not include amenities for drivers.

  • Capacity: massive open lot
  • Rates: $50 per bus, per day

Buzzard’s Point Lot

Address: 1880 2nd Street SW, Washington, DC 20024

Located at the Southwest Waterfront district, this is a surface yard for charter bus parking and staging. It is first-come, first-served. There are no dedicated amenities for drivers, but is located near commercial locations like The Point D.C. on the waterfront.

  • Capacity: 80 Spaces
  • Rates: $20 up to 3 hours, $50 per day

The National Mall & Smithsonian Museums

The one-way “National Mall Loop” (Madison & Jefferson Drives) is the highest-traffic area in Washington DC for charter buses, and it has a few rules and regulations that are necessary to keep traffic flowing efficiently.

According to the official DDOT motorcoach transportation guide, the drop-off and pickup locations around the National Mall are at curb cutouts on Madison Drive NW, Jefferson Drive SW, and Constitution Avenue SW. In many cases, you can also use these spots as metered, engine-off parking spots. They accept payment via the ParkDC official platform or through a physical kiosk

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Address: 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560

If you’re planning a group trip to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the museum instructs buses to drop off and pick up your group at the Independence Avenue entrance.

  • Drop-Off/Pickup Location: Independence Avenue SW entrance
  • Closest Bus Parking: Jefferson Drive SW, between 4th and 7th Streets (7 metered spaces)
  • Closest Long-Term Staging Lot: Buzzard Point Lot

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Address: 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560

  • Drop-Off/Pickup Location: Madison Drive NW, between 9th and 12th Streets NW
  • Closest Bus Parking: Madison Drive NW (8 metered spaces) or Constitution Ave NW, between 9th and 12th Streets (19 metered spaces)
  • Closest Long-Term Stating Lot: Union Station Bus Terminal

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Address: 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560

When planning a visit to the National Museum of American History, the museum instructs groups to use the official bus drop-off site on Madison Drive on the south side of the building.

  • Drop-Off/Pickup Location: Madison Drive NW (Mall side/south side)
  • Closest Bus Parking: Constitution Ave NW, between 12th and 14th Streets (19 metered spaces)
  • Closest Long-Term Staging Lot: Union Station Bus Terminal

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Address: Independence Avenue & 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20560

  • Drop-Off/Pickup Location: Independence Ave SW, between 7th and 9th Streets
  • Closest Bus Parking: Jefferson Drive SW, between 4th and 7th Streets (7 metered spaces)
  • Closest Long-Term Staging Lot: Buzzard Point Lot

National Gallery of Art

Address: Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565 (Between 3rd and 9th Streets)

  • Drop-Off/Pickup Location: Madison Drive NW, between 3rd and 4th Street
  • Closest Bus Parking: Madison Drive NW (8 metered spaces) or Constitution Ave NW, between 3rd and 7th Streets (19 metered spaces)
  • Closest Long-Term Staging Lot: Union Station Bus Terminal

The U.S. Capitol

Address: U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, 1st Street, SE, & East Capitol St, Washington, DC 20515

Renting a charter bus for a field trip or tour at The United States Capitol is one of the simplest ways to visit with a group, and there are very particular rules for bus transportation in this area. The United States Capitol Police has regulations for tour buses, including where to enter and exit the U.S. Capitol grounds, and where to load/unload passengers. Traveling on Constitution Avenue, Independence Avenue, or First Street and Second Streets in front of the U.S. Capitol is prohibited for charter bus rentals.

  • U.S. Capitol Grounds Charter Bus Entrance: 3rd and Maryland Ave SW or 3rd and Pennsylvania Ave NW
  • U.S. Capitol Grounds Charter Bus Exit: 3rd and Maryland Ave SW, 3rd and Pennsylvania Ave NW, or 1st and Louisiana Ave NW
  • MANDATORY Loading/Unloading of Passengers: The east curb of 1st and Maryland Ave SW, 1st St. SW/NW between Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues, or 1st and Pennsylvania Ave NW
  • Closest Bus Parking: Union Station Bus Terminal
  • Closest Long-Term Staging Lot: Union Station Bus Terminal

The Lincoln Memorial & Nearby Monuments

Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20002

The streets around The Lincoln Memorial are highly regulated, and charter buses need to operate through a one-way loop to get to the drop-off and pickup locations here. Also, accessible loading is available on Daniel French Drive SW where there are dedicated paved ramps.

  • Primary Drop-Off/Pickup Location: the West Edge Zone on Henry Bacon Drive SW, between Constitution Ave and Lincoln Memorial Circle NW
  • Alternative Drop-off/Pickup Location: the South Edge Zone on Daniel French Drive SW, between Independence Avenue and Lincoln Memorial Circle NW
  • Closest Bus Parking: Buzzard Point Lot
  • Closest Long-Term Staging Lot: Buzzard Point Lot

After being dropped off at The Lincoln Memorial, a tour group can enjoy an easy walk between several of the capital’s most iconic monuments and landmarks including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

The White House

Address: 15th Street NW & Alexander Hamilton Place NW, Washington, DC 20230

If you’re planning a visit to The White House for a group tour, it’s helpful to know that the surrounding roadways are regulated by the DDOT and Secret Service.

  • Drop-Off Location: White House Visitor Center, 15th Street NW, between Constitution Avenue and E Street NW
  • Pickup Location: the curbside loading zone on Constitution Avenue NW, between 15th Street and 17th Street NW, within walking distance of where White House tours exit
  • Closest Bus Parking: New York Avenue NW, between 14th Street and 15th Street NW (5 metered spots). However, these spaces have a 1-hour parking limit.
  • Closest Long-Term Staging Lot: Union Station Bus Terminal

It’s also helpful to note that bags of any kind—including purses and diaper bags—are not allowed inside, so a group can make use of their bus rental’s overhead compartments to stow away handbags, backpacks, camera bags, umbrellas, strollers, etc.

Book Your Washington DC Charter Bus Rental Today

You can count on Washington DC Bus Charters when you need reliable group transportation to DC’s top attractions. Contact our reservation team today with your trip details to discuss DC bus rental rates and get a personalized quote.