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 Library cardholders can access online databases for articles on specific subjects!

 
See also the library's links to Traveling with Pets.  For additional resources in this subject area, see the library's online Geography Databases.


Before You Go

Full-Service Travel Sites

Some popular and competitive full-service travel sites. Through these, you may compare fares and reserve flights, cars, hotel rooms or cruises. Note: Free registration may be required.


International Travel


Lodging
See also Full-Service Travel Sites.

Many of these sites require free registration:

  • Bed & Breakfast Inns ONLINE
    Here you can find links to the Web sites of B&B's in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean; browse through a collection of inn recipes by various categories; or even take a look at many of the facilities available for sale.

  • Hostelling International USA
    Hostelling International USA, provides information on more than 5,000 hostels worldwide. Note: Some hostels require a membership card from a nationally recognized hostelling organization in order to stay there.

  • Hotels

    • Hotel Discount Network
      Discount reservations may be booked online or by a toll-free telephone number.

    • Hotels.com
      Discount lodgings worldwide.

    • Quickbook
      Offers discount rates, hotel specials, and their own system of quality ratings.

  • Woodall's Campground Directory
    Locate RV campground sites throughout the United States and Canada by location, radius from location or by park name.


Maps and Driving Directions
For additional resources in this subject area, see the library's list of online Geography Databases and databases containing Maps.

  • Mappy
    Maps and driving directions, including road signage, for European countries.

  • Mapquest
    A worldwide selection of maps and driving directions for the United States and Canada.

  • Michelin Maps
    Maps and driving directions for European countries.


Tourist Information

Transportation

Air,   Automobile,   Bicycle,   Boat,   Bus,   Commuters,
People with Disabilities,   Rail,   Taxi
  • Air
    • See also Full-Service Travel Sites.

    • Airlines

    • Airports

    • Consumer Information

      • Airfare Watchdog
        Tracks low fares to hundreds of domestic and international destinations on all major airlines. Highlights include a daily listing of the top 50 fares and a free, fare alert newsletter service, via e-mail.

      • Avoid Delays
        Tired of delayed flights? Before you book a flight or go to the airport, check flight delay statistics for U.S. airports and read advice from air traffic controllers on how to avoid delays. Experienced a delayed flight? Fill out a complaint form, and have the site forward it to the Department of Transportation. Provided by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

      • Industry Information

        • Aviation Consumer Protection
          Find information on air safety and security, ceased airlines that have stopped service, complaint procedures and other consumer-related issues of the airline industry. Produced by the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Also available in Spanish.

        • Bureau of Transportation Statistics
          The U.S. Department of Transportation provides airline industry statistics on such topics as on-time performance, consumption of fuel, causes of flight delays, air traffic volume and financial data.

      • Lowest Published Airfares From Washington Airports
        Every weekday, The Washington Post compiles a list of 21-day advance, round-trip airfares departing from local airports to 20 U.S. cities.

      • SeatGuru.com
        Find out which seats on a commercial airliner are best for legroom or movie viewing, whether or not seats are equipped with power ports or video monitors, or if seats are near the galley or bathroom. This site's airline seating charts detailing amenities and providing seating reviews can help answer all your questions.

      • Ultimate Guide to Airline Fees
        A list of the major fees charged by the leading U.S. airlines. Includes a link to the Ultimate Guide to Frequent Flyer Fees. From the editors of SmarterTravel.com, Airfarewatchdog.com and SeatGuru.com.

        Note: Adobe Reader is required to view these PDF files.
        To obtain a free Reader, follow this link:

    • Flight Tracking
      Check the status of airborne flights and arrivals within U.S. airspace.

    • Schedules

      • The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
        The Authority provides options for finding scheduled flights arriving and departing from Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports.

      • Flight Guide
        Lists direct and selected connecting flights to and from both Dulles and Reagan National airports by city. Includes domestic and international flights.

        Note: Adobe Reader is required to view these PDF files.
        To obtain a free Reader, follow this link:

  • Automobile
    See also Commuters, Gas Prices and Full-Service Travel Sites.

    • Car Rental Companies
      Toll-free numbers and links to Web sites for car rental companies in the U.S. and abroad. Provided by IndependentTraveler.com.

    • E-ZPass Virginia
      E-ZPass is the Virginia Department of Transportation's electronic toll collection system. It enables drivers to automatically deduct tolls from a pre-paid account, and can be used in Virginia or any other state that uses the E-ZPass system.

    • Fuel Cost Calculator
      For long distance trips, AAA helps you to calculate how much you'll spend on gas based on today's regional gas price averages, distance traveled, and make and model of your vehicle.

    • The I-95 Exit Information Guide On-Line
      An exit-by-exit list of food, lodging, rest areas and shopping centers. The site also includes a traveler's alert noting construction and other factors that might affect your drive.

    • Traffic Reports

      • National Traffic and Road Closure Information
        The Federal Highway Administration provides links to information on road closures, construction and weather-related problems on major highways in cities throughout the United States.

      • Traffic.com
        Real-time traffic reports, hot spot and traffic jam alerts, maps and weather for the major roadways throughout the DC metro area. The site also covers other metropolitan areas throughout the United States.

      • TrafficLand.com
        View live traffic cameras and traffic video from cities throughout the DC metro area; the I-81 corridor in Virginia; Baltimore, Richmond and other metropolitan areas throughout the United States.

      • VDOT Travel Center
        Road alerts, lane closure reports, and commuter and traveler resources from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

      • Washingtonpost.com — Traffic
        Check here for real-time traffic reports and video images for major routes throughout the DC metro area.

    • Virginia HOT Lanes
      The Virginia Department of Transportation's official site for information and updates on the HOT lanes construction project. Sign up for e-mail updates, including notifications of upcoming construction activity and lane closures.

    • Zipcar
      A self-service car sharing program serving the DC metro area and cities across the country. Rent by the hour or the day. Membership is required.

  • Bicycle

    • Bicycle Trails and Routes
      Descriptions and links to further information on major trails in Virginia, DC and Maryland. Provided by CommuterPage.com.

    • DC Area Trail Network
      Click on the map to get descriptions and route maps for specific trails. From the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

    • SmartBike DC
      A self-service, public bike rental program provided by Clear Channel Outdoor and the District Department of Transportation. Service is available by online subscription only.

  • Boat

    • Cruiselines

      See also Full-Service Travel Sites.

      • Internet Cruise Travel Network
        Provides in-depth information about cruise companies and links to each cruise company's Web site. Identifies significant details to consider before finalizing your plans.

    • Ferries

      • America's Ferries
        Links to schedules and fares for U.S. ferries. Additional links are available for international ferry information.

  • Bus

    • Commercial Bus Services

      • BusJunction
        Search for bus fares from more than a dozen carriers with routes between major cities. Includes shuttle services between Washington DC, and Baltimore, New York and Philadelphia. Links directly to carrier Web sites for ticket purchases.

      • GotoBus
        Find, compare and purchase tickets for bus travel in the United States, and book U.S. and international bus tours, vacation packages and even sightseeing bus tours. Includes shuttle services between Washington DC, and New York and Atlantic City.

      • Greyhound
        Fares and schedules.

    • Local Area/Commuter Bus Services

  • Commuters

    See also automobile, bicycle, bus, people with disabilities, rail, and weather.

    • CommuterPage.com
      A wide variety of metro area commuter-related information available on one Web site. Includes commuter news stories, as well as links to traffic and weather reports, bus and train routes and schedules, and carpool information. Their CommuterDirect service allows you to make online purchases of tickets and passes for the major Washington DC area transit systems.

    • E-ZPass Virginia
      E-ZPass is the Virginia Department of Transportation's electronic toll collection system. It enables drivers to automatically deduct tolls from a pre-paid account, and can be used in Virginia or any other state that uses the E-ZPass system.

    • NextBus
      Satellite technology provides real-time bus arrival information for the CUE Bus system in Fairfax City.

    • Trip Planner
      Find out how to get from one point to another via bus and/or train. Provided by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

    • Traffic Reports

      • Traffic.com
        Real-time traffic reports, hot spot and traffic jam alerts, maps and weather for the major roadways throughout the DC metro area. The site also covers other metropolitan areas throughout the United States.

      • TrafficLand.com
        View live traffic cameras and traffic video from cities throughout the DC metro area; the I-81 corridor in Virginia; Baltimore, Richmond and other metropolitan areas throughout the United States.

      • VDOT Travel Center
        Road alerts, lane closure reports, and commuter and traveler resources from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

      • Washingtonpost.com — Traffic
        Check here for real-time traffic reports and video images for major routes throughout the DC metro area.

    • Virginia Rideshare Agencies
      Information on car/van pooling, slugging to work, park and ride facilities, HOV lanes and more from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

  • People with Disabilities

    • Accessible Transportation Options for Customers with Disabilities in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area
      The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority provides this overview of public transportation options available through local jurisdictions, Metro and other major transportation systems throughout the DC metropolitan area. Information on accessibility, reduced fares, eligibility and contacts is provided.

      Note: Adobe Reader is required to view this PDF file.
      To obtain a free Reader, follow this link:

    • City Wheels (City of Fairfax)
      An alternative transportation service, utilizing private taxicabs, that has been designed for Residents of the City of Fairfax who cannot use the CUE bus system.

    • Fastran
      Fastran transports, via bus or cab, residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Riders must be certified by a sponsoring Fairfax County Human Services Agency program.

    • Metro Accessibility
      An overview of accessibility features and services of Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess, a public transportation system offering curb-to-curb, shared ride service to people who cannot use bus or rail. Provided by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

    • TaxiAccess
      Taxicab coupon booklets are available at a reduced cost to Fairfax County residents who are registered with MetroAccess. TaxiAccess is designed for persons whose disabilities are so significant that they prevent the use of fixed-route transit service.

    • Transportation Guide to Northern Virginia
      The Fairfax Area Disability Services Board presents information on many of the transportation options available in our region for people with disabilities.

  • Rail

    See also Full-Service Travel Sites.

    • Amtrak
      Information and services include train schedules, detailed timetables, online reservations and a station locator.

    • Eurail
      Eurail sells point-to-point tickets (Eurail Tickets) and various unlimited rail travel passes (Eurailpasses). Expiration dates and countries able to be traveled in will vary depending on the type of product purchased. Note: Eurail products cannot be purchased in Europe.

    • MARC Train
      Maryland's Mass Transit Administration.

    • Metrorail
      Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority.

    • Rail Europe — Rail Passes
      More than two dozen different types of rail passes are available in Europe. This site shows them all and gives details as to price and purchase options.

    • StationMasters.com
      Select a Metro station name to locate station entrances/exits and see a detailed street map of the surrounding neighborhood.

    • UrbanRail.net
      Locate maps and information on train, subway and other types of electronic rail systems in cities worldwide. Links to official transportation Web sites are provided where available.

    • Trip Planner
      Find out how to get from one point to another via bus and/or train. Provided by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

    • Virginia Railway Express
      A commuter rail service from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City and Washington, DC.

  • Taxi

    • Fastran
      Fastran provides transportation, via bus or cab, to residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Riders must be certified by a sponsoring Fairfax County Human Services Agency program.

    • Seniors-On-The-Go!
      Taxicab coupon booklets are available at a reduced cost to residents of Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax, who are at least 65 years of age and meet certain income criteria.

    • TaxiAccess
      Taxicab coupon booklets are available at a reduced cost to Fairfax County residents who are registered with MetroAccess. TaxiAccess is designed for persons whose disabilities are so significant that they prevent the use of fixed-route transit service.

    • Taxicab Companies
      Contact information for taxicab companies in Washington, DC and surrounding counties in Virginia and Maryland from CommuterPage.com.

Travel Guides


  • U.S. and International Travel Guides

    See also the library's links to State and National Parks.

    • Alphabetical List of State Tourism Web Sites
      Plan a vacation, or locate tourist attractions, events and activities, lodgings and more through each state's tourism links.

    • Online Travel Guides
      Most of the sites listed below provide information on worldwide destinations and discuss hotels, restaurants and local nightlife and customs. The library has printed versions of many of these travel guides in its collection available for borrowing. Please check the library's online catalog for availability.

      • Fodor's Travel Guides
        Provide worldwide "miniguides," and highlight their picks for top destinations.

      • Frommer's Travel Guides
        Detailed coverage of the larger cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico and overviews of other international destinations.

      • Lonely Planet
        Offers country guides and theme guides.

      • Mobil Travel Guide
        In-depth information on regions, states and major cities in the United States and Canada.

      • Rough Guides
        Information on worldwide destinations at the country, region/state or city/town level.

Weather

Most of these sites provide local weather forecasts, maps and satellite images. Some provide worldwide coverage.


 

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