Washington DC Tourist Cards

If you want to plan your trip to the US capital in advance but haven't yet decided which attractions you want to visit, the Washington Sightseeing Pass could be the solution for you. There are Flex Passes and Day Passes available, each with their own advantages depending on the trip you are planning.

Depending on the option you choose, this tourist card gives you access to more than fifteen different attractions with discounts of up to 60% so you can decide what to see and do in Washington DC during your stay.

If you are planning your trip to the US capital and have not yet decided which attractions to visit, there are two main tourist cards to choose from at Hellotickets: the Washington DC Flex Pass and the Washington DC Sightseeing Day Pass. Both offer discounts, access to the best activities and the possibility of hopping on the tourist bus to explore the city at your own pace, but they work differently to suit different travel styles.

Washington DC Flex Pass, ideal if you want to choose only a few attractions

With the Washington DC Flex Pass, you can choose a more personalised and flexible experience. You choose 1, 2 or up to 4 attractions from a list of more than a dozen must-see places. The pass also includes 24-hour access to the Hop-on Hop-off tourist bus, allowing you to easily move between points of interest such as the White House, the Capitol or the Lincoln Memorial.

Once activated, you have 30 days to use the selected attractions. In addition, the pass includes discounts at restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, making it an ideal option for those who plan their trip in advance and want to save money without sacrificing anything.

• Recommended if... You are only going to be in Washington DC for a few days or prefer to select only a few attractions and move at your own pace.

Washington DC Sightseeing Day Pass, perfect for seeing a lot in a few days

The Sightseeing Day Pass works differently: instead of choosing a number of attractions, you choose a duration of 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days, during which you can visit all the attractions included in the pass, without limit.

This card is perfect for those who want to make the most of their time and have quick access to major attractions such as the Spy Museum, bike hire or the fun city scavenger hunt. It also includes use of the tourist bus to travel between monuments and museums.

Once activated, you have up to three consecutive days to use it, and you can activate it at any of the included attractions. It can be purchased in advance and used within one year of the date of purchase.

• Recommended if... You want to visit many attractions in a short time and prefer to have everything included for one or more consecutive days.

Both cards offer different prices depending on the format you choose:

Washington DC Flex Pass

You can choose from several options starting at £46. With this fare, you will have 24 hours of access to the tourist bus and admission to one attraction of your choice from a list of more than 15.

• For €61, you get access to the bus and two attractions.
• For £85, the pass includes four attractions and 24-hour use of the Hop-on, Hop-off bus.

This option is perfect if you prefer to select only a few visits and organise your own itinerary. With the Flex Pass, you can save up to 60% compared to separate tickets, as well as enjoy additional discounts in shops and restaurants.

Washington DC Sightseeing Day Pass

The day pass has a different format: instead of choosing a number of attractions, you choose how many days you want to use it. Prices start at £58 for 1 day, £97 for 2 days and £130 for 3 consecutive days.

During the chosen time, you can access all the included attractions without limit, and also take advantage of the tourist bus. This pass is ideal if you want to visit many activities in a short time and prefer to have everything included from the start.

Both the Flex Pass and the Sightseeing Day Pass can be purchased in advance and activated once you arrive in Washington DC. Activation occurs the first time you use any of the included attractions, and from that point on, the validity period begins: 30 days for the Flex Pass and 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days for the Day Pass, depending on the option chosen.

Both allow you to make advance reservations for the attractions included, saving you queues and guaranteeing availability at specific times. They also include access to the Hop-on, Hop-off tourist bus, allowing you to explore the city with complete freedom.

This bus runs from Monday to Sunday between 6:00 and 21:00, and you can use it as many times as you need during the validity of your pass. If you plan your transfers well, you can move easily between monuments, museums and iconic neighbourhoods, optimising your time and budget.

This tourist pass offers several alternatives. Below are the options available to you with your Washington Sightseeing Pass, whichever of the two options you choose.

Potomac River Cruise

One of the best ways to discover Washington DC is from the river, and this excursion will give you a different perspective of the city.

Seeing Washington's best monuments from the water will offer you unforgettable views. This tour starts at the docks, which is also a very busy part of the city, with shopping centres and Washington's best restaurants.

• Price... Outside of the tourist card, this excursion is sold starting at 27 euros.
• Duration... The tour lasts approximately one hour, and don't forget that you must validate your ticket at the ticket office.
• Timetable... From Monday to Friday, tours start at 6 a.m., and on weekends, cruises run until 11 p.m.

Bicycle tour of the National Mall and Capitol Hill

The National Mall is the main circuit of the US capital. This excursion also offers a tour of the Capitol area with an expert local guide who will provide you with all the necessary information about the places you visit.

The tour also includes the monuments and war memorials of Washington DC. It is the best excursion to get to know the heart of the city.

• Price... Outside of the tourist card, this excursion is sold starting at 40 euros, including a guide.
• Duration**...** The tour lasts approximately three hours.
• Schedule**...** Every day from 10 a.m.

Entrance to the International Spy Museum

During the Cold War, Washington DC was the perfect place for all kinds of conspiracy theories about espionage to emerge. The proximity of the Pentagon and the White House and their secrets attracted the attention of spies.

On this excursion, you can step into the life of a double agent, decipher codes, change your name and enjoy many other activities. It is considered one of the best museums in the city.

• Price... Outside of the tourist card, this excursion is sold starting at 25 euros for adults and 15 euros for children.
• Duration... The tour of the museum lasts approximately two hours and admission must be validated at the ticket office.
• Opening hours... In spring and summer, the museum is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. In autumn and winter, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cruise excursion to Mount Vernon and George Washington's house

This excursion takes you to Mount Vernon and George Washington's house, but also includes a pleasant and relaxing cruise on the Spirit.

The Sightseeing Pass entitles you to use this service, which also includes a three-hour tour of the mansion and its surroundings.

• Price... Outside of the tourist card, this excursion is sold starting at €44, including a guide. The cruise offers a buffet service at an extra cost.
• Duration**...** The tour lasts between three and four hours.
• Timetable... This depends on the time of year, so it is advisable to check the official website before choosing this option.

Other attractions included in the Washington Sightseeing Pass

• Bicycle tour of monuments and memorials
• Bicycle rental for a full-day self-guided tour
• Bus tour to Mount Vernon and George Washington's home
• Hop-on hop-offpanoramic city bus tour
• Interactive treasure hunt tour of Washington DC

The sooner you purchase your tourist card, the sooner you can start planning your trip, and you can do so up to a year before activation.

Remember that once you choose the option that best suits your itinerary, you can book your preferred attractions in advance and save time by not only avoiding the queues to buy tickets but also by arriving at the right time.

This card is very convenient for those who are staying in the city for a short time and need to make the most of their time. This tourist pass can be very useful so that you don't miss anything in Washington on a three-day trip

The Washington Sightseeing Pass is the best option for your trip if you only intend to visit a few of the city's main sites, so the sooner you check the availability of your chosen attractions, the better your experience will be. This tourist pass guarantees you entry to the most visited attractions in the US capital.

If you are someone who prefers to make the most of your time in the city and visit as many places as possible, I recommend that you organise your itinerary, and if you buy the four-attraction pass, try to use it at places that are close to each other.

With the tourist pass, you can save money on excursions that you would have decided to book anyway and also gain time to do other activities in Washington, which offers thousands of alternatives.

Here is some information about tours you can take in Washington to get to know the city in depth and give you ideas about the different suggested itineraries.

I also recommend that before purchasing the Washington Sightseeing Pass, you decide which places are of interest to you and, based on that , choose the option that best fits your travel plan, as the number of days you spend in the city will influence the number of excursions you can visit.

Finally, if you are interested in seeing the monuments and buildings of the National Mall, you can choose one of the best guided bike tours and then take advantage of the bus to see the more distant places in Washington DC.

In addition to the two main passes that you can book at Hellotickets, there are other tourist cards that have gained popularity among travellers. Some are no longer available or can only be purchased on specific platforms, but they can be a valid alternative if you are looking for other options or different ways to organise your visit.

Go City: Washington Explorer Pass

One of the best known is the Go City: Washington Explorer Pass, which works similarly to the Flex Pass: you choose a certain number of attractions (e.g. 3, 4 or 5) and have up to 60 days to use them. It includes options such as the Spy Museum, Potomac River cruises and guided tours of the Capitol.

Washington Power Pass

Another option that was popular at one time is the Washington Power Pass, although it has now been replaced by other cards that are more comprehensive and offer greater availability of services.

Combined or individual tickets

It is also possible to purchase individual or combined tickets for specific attractions, such as the cruise to Mount Vernon or priority access to the Spy Museum. This alternative is useful if you are only interested in one or two visits and do not need a full tourist pass.