Washington Tour from New York: 1 Day

Visiting the East Coast doesn’t mean stopping at New York alone: a few hours away is Washington, the capital of the United States. This excursion from New York is a full day among the monuments and buildings of American power, with a live Italian-speaking guide for the whole day and admission to Arlington Cemetery and a major Smithsonian museum already included. Departure is at 6:15 a.m. from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the price starts at $149.

Below you will find everything you need before booking: how much the excursion costs and how booking works, what the ticket includes, what you see during the day, and the practical details about departure, return and cancellation.

How Much the Washington Excursion Costs and How to Book

The Washington excursion from New York is currently on offer at $149 instead of $177 per person. The price is the same for adults and children over 2, while children under 2 travel free. Departure is at 6:15 a.m.: since this is a bus tour with limited seats and a single departure per day, it is worth booking online a few days ahead to lock in the date you want.

Book the Smart Way

When you book online your date is secured and you receive an email confirmation that serves as your ticket to board. Behind the excursion there is a team offering customer support in English before and after your purchase, plus a physical office in New York, on West 47th Street near Times Square, where a real person can help if you have any doubts: a concrete advantage over the large international platforms. It is one of the most requested tours from New York for travelers who want to add the capital to their trip without organizing anything themselves.

What the Washington Excursion Includes

The ticket covers transport, the guide, admissions and the stops throughout the day. In detail:

• Guided tour of Washington in a day
• Transfer on a private coach bus
• Live Italian-speaking guide for the whole day
• Guaranteed seating on board
• Admission to the Aerospace Museum (or the Natural History Museum)
• Admission to Arlington Cemetery

Not included are hotel pick-up and drop-off, the tip for the guide (optional but recommended, usually around $10 per person) and lunch or dinner, which are free and up to you on site, with a dedicated break during the museum visit.

What You See in Washington

After leaving New York the bus crosses New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland before reaching the capital. The day takes in the landmarks of American power, one after another.

You see the exterior of the Capitol, home of Congress, and the White House, then you enter Arlington Cemetery, where the Kennedy family grave and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are located. Along the National Mall you find the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials and the monuments to Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King. There is also a stop at the Aerospace Museum, with free time to explore and a lunch break, before setting off in the afternoon for an evening arrival back in New York. If you want to plan the visit in detail, browse our Washington tours from New York for all the options.

Why Do It with an Italian-Speaking Guide

Washington is a city of distances and history: without someone to bring it to life, many monuments stay just nice photos. The live guide is with you for the whole day, explains the meaning of each stop, answers your questions and adapts the storytelling to the group, something an audio guide cannot do. The guide leads the tour in Italian and the tour may be multilingual. This excursion is one of the long-standing products of Il Mio Viaggio a New York, the agency founded by Piero Armenti in 2014, and the guides who lead it live in the United States and know the capital first-hand.

What to Know Before You Book

• Where and when it starts: at 6:15 a.m. from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, 330 W 42nd St. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.
• Early-morning assistance: for any issue at departure time you can call the dedicated number +1 212 642 0915.
• It is a long day: between the drive there, the visit and the return you spend several hours traveling, so expect an early start and plenty of time on the bus.
• Evening return: arrival in New York is expected around 8:30 p.m., but the time depends on traffic. Do not book flights, shows or dinner for that evening.
• Passport: a passport is required to enter Arlington Cemetery, so bring it with you.
• Museum: admission to the Aerospace Museum is not guaranteed and depends on availability on the day. As an alternative, you visit the Natural History Museum.
• Seating: a seat is guaranteed, but the arrangement is decided by the guide. With separate bookings, seating close together cannot be guaranteed.
• Weather: the excursion runs in case of rain or snow. Any change must be requested up to 72 hours before.
• Cancellation: free with a full refund up to 72 hours before your chosen date, by writing to info@ilmioviaggioanewyork.com. After that deadline no refund is due.

Our tip

Fit Washington in around the middle or end of your trip, when tiredness kicks in: the long bus ride becomes a chance to rest, and you spend your New York days when you have more energy. Remember your passport for Arlington and keep the return evening free.

The capital pairs well with two other historic East Coast stops. With a few extra days you can add the Philadelphia and Amish Country excursion, between the history of the Founding Fathers and the Amish communities.

If you prefer New England, you can instead choose the Boston excursion, tracing the origins of the United States, with the same full-day format and an Italian-speaking guide.

Important

After booking you receive an automatic email confirmation that serves as your ticket to join the excursion. Please also check your spam folder, where it sometimes ends up. The program may change on public holidays or during special events, and in cases of force majeure you are always contacted.