The DC water taxi connects The Wharf, Old Town Alexandria, Georgetown, and National Harbor — and it’s more useful as real transportation than most people realize.
Most people don’t think of the water taxi as a real transportation option in DC. They think of it as a tourist boat. But if you’re traveling between Old Town Alexandria, The Wharf, Georgetown, or National Harbor — it’s genuinely one of the best ways to make the trip.
No traffic. No parking. Potomac River views the whole way. And depending on where you’re going, it can be faster than driving.
Book your water taxi tickets in advance through Viator — free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
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## How the DC Water Taxi Works
The Potomac Water Taxi is operated by City Cruises and connects four waterfront destinations along the Potomac River:
– **The Wharf** — Southwest DC waterfront (Transit Pier, 950 Wharf St SW)
– **Georgetown** — 3100 K Street NW
– **Old Town Alexandria** — Behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 0 Cameron St, Alexandria VA
– **National Harbor** — 145 National Plaza, National Harbor MD
Boats run approximately every 30 minutes to one hour depending on the day. The 2026 season runs March through December.
**Booking:** Online at cityexperiences.com/washington-dc or at ticket booths at each dock. Advance purchase recommended, especially on weekends and during cherry blossom season.
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## Routes and Travel Times
|Route |Approximate Travel Time|
|—————————–|———————–|
|The Wharf to Alexandria |~30 minutes |
|The Wharf to Georgetown |~30 minutes |
|The Wharf to National Harbor |~45 minutes |
|Alexandria to National Harbor|~45 minutes |
The first departure from The Wharf starts at 11:45am daily. Last departures vary by route — generally between 6pm and 9pm depending on the season. Check the current schedule at cityexperiences.com before you go.
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## Pricing
One-way tickets run approximately $18–$22 per person. Round trips around $37. Day passes and season passes also available for frequent riders.
**Viator affiliate link:** The water taxi is bookable through Viator — search “DC Water Taxi” for current pricing and availability. Booking through Viator gives you cancellation flexibility — you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
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## When the Water Taxi Makes Sense
**Alexandria to The Wharf:** This is the most practical commuter use case. If you live or work near Old Town Alexandria and your destination is The Wharf, the water taxi avoids the Woodrow Wilson Bridge traffic entirely. On a busy evening, the boat can be faster than driving.
**The Wharf to Georgetown:** Georgetown has no Metro station. The water taxi fills that gap — 30 minutes on the river versus hunting for parking in Georgetown or taking multiple bus connections.
**Cherry blossom season:** The water taxi runs along the Tidal Basin stretch of the Potomac with views of the Jefferson Memorial and the blossoms from the water. This is genuinely one of the best ways to experience cherry blossom season — you avoid the gridlock around the Tidal Basin entirely.
**National Harbor day trips:** National Harbor is across the river in Maryland and awkward to reach by transit. The water taxi from The Wharf or Alexandria makes it a straightforward trip.
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## What the Ride Is Actually Like
The boats are enclosed and climate-controlled with restrooms on board. Soft drinks and water are available for purchase. Cell service works throughout.
As you travel between Alexandria and The Wharf, you pass the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery from the water. Audio narration is available on some routes.
First come, first served seating. The boats are ADA accessible at The Wharf and Alexandria docks. **Note: The Georgetown dock is not wheelchair accessible.**
Book your water taxi tickets in advance through Viator — free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
## Practical Tips
**Book in advance on weekends.** The water taxi fills up, especially on nice weather weekends and during cherry blossom season. Walk-up tickets are available at the booth but space isn’t guaranteed.
**The Wharf dock is pedestrian access only.** The Transit Pier entrance is between Blair Alley SW and 9th Street SW — it’s not accessible by vehicle. Plan your approach on foot or by Metro (Waterfront station, Green Line).
**Last boats run earlier than you think.** The last departure from Georgetown to The Wharf is typically around 4-5pm — much earlier than the other routes. If you’re coming from Georgetown, check the schedule carefully before you go.
**Season passes are worth it for regulars.** If you’re making this trip multiple times a season — commuters between Alexandria and The Wharf especially — season passes offer unlimited rides and work out significantly cheaper than individual tickets.
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## Quick Reference
|Detail |Info |
|————————–|—————————————-|
|Operator |City Cruises (Potomac Water Taxi) |
|Season |March – December |
|The Wharf dock |Transit Pier, 950 Wharf St SW |
|Alexandria dock |0 Cameron St (behind Torpedo Factory) |
|Georgetown dock |3100 K St NW (not wheelchair accessible)|
|National Harbor dock |145 National Plaza |
|First departure from Wharf|11:45am daily |
|One-way fare |~$18–$22 |
|Book online |cityexperiences.com/washington-dc |
|Phone |877-511-2628 |
Book your water taxi tickets in advance through Viator — free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
→ *See our full guide to The Wharf DC
→ *For all DC transportation options: Getting Around DC: Complete Transportation Guide
→ * Getting Around DC by Metro