TRAVEL ESSENTIALS WASHINGTON DC

America’s capital is the ultimate political city and the centre of attention as voters prepare to choose their president on 6 November, the occupant of its key edifice, the White House (1). Whether Obama or Romney wins, Washington is a fascinating, historic metropolis that merits exploration.

Touch down

Most flights from the UK land at Washington Dulles (001 703 572 2700;metwashairports.com), 26 miles south of the centre. British Airways (0844 493 0787; ba.com), United Airlines (0845 607 6760;unitedairlines.co.uk) and Virgin Atlantic (0844 209 7310; virgin-atlantic.com) all fly here daily from Heathrow. United also covers the route from Manchester.

Metro bus 5A departs once an hour at weekends (every 40 minutes on weekdays), taking 50 minutes to the landmark square of L’Enfant Plaza (2) for a fare of $6 (£4). Super Shuttle (001 800 258 3826; supershuttle.com) runs shared van transfers to central hotels: $29 (£18) for a one-person booking, $39 (£24) for two. Washington Flyer Taxis (001 703 572 8294; washfly.com) is the official airport cab service. The drive takes about 40 minutes, costing $56-$64 (£35-£40). If you wanted go with more luxurious transportation limo service DC at affordable cost call @ 888-523-8661 or check out for more info and offers at www.singhlimodc.com

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Get your bearings

Washington was founded as a political capital in 1791. Its location was chosen by the man whose name it takes, George Washington, at a point between the established cities of the north-east and the Southern states. It occupies its own zone (the District of Columbia), independent of the 50 states, hemmed by Virginia to the south and Maryland to the north – at the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.

The centre spreads out around the National Mall (nps.gov/mall), a two-mile grassy strip that ebbs east to west as it plays host to the country’s most significant monuments and museums. Beyond, the city is organized into a simple grid. Streets that run south to north are numbered (eg 14th Street), while major east-to-west avenues bear letters (such as F Street).

Local transport (001 202 637 7000; wmata.com) consists of the five lines of the Metrorail subway system, and Metro buses. Metrorail fares are complex and vary according to time – but a single journey in the centre during off-peak hours (9.30am-3pm; 7pm-midnight) costs $1.70 (£1). A one-day Metrorail pass is $14 (£9). Bus fares are $1.80 (£1.10).

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