A few questions about Washington DC?

So this is the situation: I'm a foreign student and in a few days I'm coming to the USA for the summer to work. My Job is in North Caroline, but at first I'm arriving at Washington DC and I found out that there are about 5 hours between my arrival at the airport and the bus to North Caroline. And of course I'd like to use them to see some places and take a few pictures, but I have never been there before and I want to clear up a few things in advance. First - about the public transportation within the city- which type of transport is the most convenient, how much do the tickets cost, where are they sold (in the bus or somewhere outside), do I have to punch them or a ticket collector will pass and collect them? Also how much do the taxies take per mile? And what is a reasonable sum to leave them as a tip? And about the places to visit - could you tell me some interesting places that diserve having a picture of (so far I know only the White House)?
And one additional question - about the greyhound busses - can I buy a ticket a few hours before the bus leaves or do I have to book a few days in advance? And is it possible to leave my luggage in their office for a few hours before the bus leaves?
Lol, I know these are common things and I would find out if I stayed there for a little more time, but as I have only five hours I want to do everything the faster the possible, so I'd better know these things before I get there. I'll be also very thankful if you share anything you think will be useful to me.Thanks a lot in advance!

OK, for starters, you don't have a lot of time. Dulles (IAD) is located outside of the city,and if you are flying internationally, that is where you would land. The Greyhound terminal is located in the city at:

WASHINGTON GREYHOUND STATION
1005 1ST ST NE
Washington, DC 20002

There are no trains from Dulles, so you need to take a bus to the subway, a shuttle bus, or a taxi. Taxi rates are:

Rate Breakdown/Service Charges, effective 2/5/06:
$2.80 First 1/4 mile or part thereof
$ .45 Each additional 1/4 mile or part thereof
$1.50 Each additional passenger
$ .50 Each suitcase in excess of one per passenger
$2.00 Each trunk or similar size article
$2.00 Personal service
$ .45 Each 77 seconds of waiting time ($21.04 per hour)
$2.50 Surcharge when snow emergency is declared

I normally tip a few dollars, $10 fare = $2 tip, $30 fare = $5 tip.

It will cost about $50-55 to get to D.C., depending on location.

A group shuttle will cost around $26 (SuperShuttle, found near the exit doors from baggage claim). It will take quite a bit longer than a taxi though. Tip $2-3.

You can also get the Washington Flyer ($9) to the Metro (subway) at West Falls Church, and get the metro to D.C. for a few dollars. Or take a public bus for $3 to Rossyln Metro Station and take it into D.C. for a few dollars.

You can pay exact fare on the bus, once on you are on. For the Metro, buy a ticket at the station from a kiosk (fares are listed on the side) you need the ticket to get into the stylus and back out when you finish your journey. No ticket collector, no punching tickets.

You can buy tickets for the Greyhound bus a few hours before departure. Not sure if you can leave luggage there or not.

Another option is, if you get a cab into D.C., see if the cabbie will drive you around for an hour. Determine a rate up front, but for $75-100 you could probably get the cabbie to drive you from the airport and take you around the mall, stop, get some pictures, and get to the bus station.

Probably the best things to take pictures of are going to be around the Mall. The Capitol building, White House, Monuments, etc. Given that it will probably take you an hour to get out of the airport and an hour to get to D.C., you don't have a lot of time, so probably best to focus on the Mall, which has lots of stuff to see.

Hope this helps and you have a great trip!

The short time will not do you justice to see anything in Washington DC

you will spend time clearing customs and you will probably
need to be back at the airport 2 hours before boarding
to clear security back in - realize that you are at the nation's capitol - and they are SECURE!

so really - you will have about 2 hours to to look through the terminal - and there should be enough to keep you busy - if not get a great bite to eat! and not have to pay for airline food

Welcome to the States! Glad you are here!

WHOOOPS - you are taking a bus to North Carolina!
How do you know the bus leaves in 5 hours - from where??
hmmmmmmmmmm - Greyhound - you will need to get to a Greyhound Station - and you can buy the ticket before you board - may want to check the Greyhound Site

As to getting there - may be best to use a 'Shuttle' which
is a van for up to 6-8 people with luggage - will be more economical than a taxi - and tip the driver $1 per bag

I would pick a city south of the airport - either one - probably would not choose to go to DC to catch the Bus?
Not sure on that one - but that is gut instinct!

Maybe the subway runs to the bus station?

best of luck!

A taxi from Dulles airport to the bus terminal will cost you $40. I assume you have at least two cases to lug around.

There is a shuttle bus for $9 that will take you to a Metro station. For less than $3, the Metro will take you anywhere in DC but you have to hold your luggage.

There is an information desk at the airport, but they are only open for limited hours.

Since more people have cell phones, it has become harder to find public phones. They require exact change. Keep quarters handy!

The currency exchange may not give as good as rate as your home country. Keep a coin purse or something to hold coins until you figure what things will cost.

Good luck!