UnscriptedDC / Things To Do / Arlington Cemetery
The Arlington National Cemetery trolley is one of the most searched questions before any DC trip — and the honest answer is: it depends.
639 acres of hallowed ground, one big question everyone has before they go. Here’s the honest answer — plus what it costs, how long to budget, where to park, and what not to miss.
Arlington, VA
Free entry
Open daily 8am–5pm
<p>Arlington National Cemetery sits just across the Potomac from Washington DC, and it is one of those places that genuinely stops people in their tracks. Over 400,000 service members are buried here. Funerals happen every single weekday. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded without interruption since 1937.</p>
<p>Most people who come to DC put it on their list. Most of those people also have the same question before they go: <strong>do I need the trolley, or can I just walk?</strong></p>
<p>Here's everything you need to know.</p>
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<div class="qf-title">At a Glance</div>
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<span class="fact-key">Address</span>
<span class="fact-val">1 Memorial Ave, Arlington, VA</span>
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<span class="fact-key">Cemetery Hours</span>
<span class="fact-val">Daily 8am–5pm, 365 days</span>
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<span class="fact-key">Trolley Hours</span>
<span class="fact-val">8:30am–4pm, 363 days/year</span>
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<span class="fact-key">Entry Fee</span>
<span class="fact-val">Free</span>
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<span class="fact-key">Trolley Cost</span>
<span class="fact-val">~$19.50 adults / $10.75 kids</span>
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<span class="fact-key">Parking</span>
<span class="fact-val">Paid — $3/hour on site</span>
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<span class="fact-key">Metro</span>
<span class="fact-val">Blue Line — Arlington Cemetery Station</span>
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<span class="fact-key">Food on site</span>
<span class="fact-val">Not permitted inside cemetery</span>
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<h2>Do You Actually Need the Trolley?</h2>
<p>Short answer: it depends on two things — your mobility and your time.</p>
<p>Arlington is <strong>639 acres</strong>. That's roughly four times the size of the National Mall. The terrain is hilly, the paths are long, and the key sites are spread out. If you want to see JFK's gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington House, and Section 60 in a single visit, you are covering serious ground.</p>
<div class="verdict">
<div class="verdict-label">The Honest Answer</div>
<h3>Take the trolley if you have limited time or mobility. Walk if you want to go at your own pace.</h3>
<p>The trolley covers 7 stops on weekdays and 8 on weekends in a 45-minute loop with a knowledgeable guide. It's worth it for first-timers who want structure. But walking gives you more freedom — more time to stop, reflect, and move at your own speed. Both are valid. Neither is wrong.</p>
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<h3>The Case for the Trolley</h3>
<p>The cemetery is big enough that many people — especially those visiting in summer heat or with older family members — find the trolley genuinely useful. You hop on and off at any stop, the guide provides historical context you wouldn't get on your own, and you don't have to worry about missing anything. Trolleys depart every 30 minutes so you won't be waiting long.</p>
<h3>The Case for Walking</h3>
<p>Entry to the cemetery is completely free. The grounds are beautiful. Walking means you stop when you want to stop, spend as long as you want at Kennedy's grave, sit quietly by the Tomb without being on a schedule. Many visitors say the walking experience is more meaningful precisely because it's unhurried.</p>
<table class="comparison">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Factor</th>
<th>Trolley</th>
<th>Walking</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Cost</strong></td>
<td>~$19.50/adult</td>
<td>Free</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Time</strong></td>
<td>45-min loop + stop time</td>
<td>1.5–3 hrs depending on pace</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Guided narration</strong></td>
<td><span class="tag tag-yes">Yes</span></td>
<td><span class="tag tag-no">No</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Your own pace</strong></td>
<td><span class="tag tag-ok">Somewhat</span></td>
<td><span class="tag tag-yes">Fully</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Best for mobility issues</strong></td>
<td><span class="tag tag-yes">Yes — ADA accessible</span></td>
<td><span class="tag tag-no">Hilly terrain</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Weekend Section 60 stop</strong></td>
<td><span class="tag tag-yes">Yes</span></td>
<td><span class="tag tag-yes">Yes (walk yourself)</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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<h2>What Does the Trolley Cost?</h2>
<p>Trolley tickets run approximately <strong>$19.50 for adults</strong>, <strong>$10.75 for children ages 4–12</strong>, and <strong>$15 for seniors 65+</strong>. Discounts are available for active military, veterans, and their families. Tickets can be purchased at the Welcome Center on arrival or online in advance — no reservations required.</p>
<p>The trolley is operated by Old Town Trolley Tours and is the only authorized tour vehicle permitted inside the cemetery grounds. Tours depart every 30 minutes from the Welcome Center starting at 8:30am, with the last departure at 4:00pm.</p>
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<p>Note: If you have an Old Town Trolley hop-on hop-off ticket for DC, the shuttle to Arlington Cemetery is complimentary — but you'll still need a separate ticket for the cemetery tour itself.</p>
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<h2>Hours and When to Visit</h2>
<p>The cemetery itself is open <strong>every single day of the year, 8am to 5pm</strong>. That includes federal holidays — and yes, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Those days are actually among the most meaningful times to visit, though expect larger crowds.</p>
<p>The trolley tour operates <strong>363 days a year</strong>. It is closed on two specific days: Wreaths Across America Wreaths In Day (typically mid-December) and Wreaths Out Day (typically mid-January). On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, trolley tours begin at 2:00pm rather than the usual 8:30am.</p>
<h3>Best Time to Visit</h3>
<p><strong>Spring and fall</strong> are ideal — comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds than peak summer, and the grounds are beautiful. Summer visits mean heat and humidity; go early if you're going in July or August. Winter visits are quieter and more contemplative, especially in the morning.</p>
<p>If you want to time the <strong>Changing of the Guard</strong> at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: it happens every 30 minutes from April through September, and every hour on the hour from October through March. Plan your visit around this — it is one of the most moving things you will witness in DC.</p>
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<h2>What Not to Miss</h2>
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<div class="must-emoji">🕯️</div>
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<div class="must-name">Tomb of the Unknown Soldier</div>
<div class="must-desc">Guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without interruption since 1937. Time your visit for the Changing of the Guard. This is the reason most people come.</div>
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<div class="must-emoji">🕯️</div>
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<div class="must-name">President Kennedy's Gravesite</div>
<div class="must-desc">The Eternal Flame has burned continuously since 1963. JFK, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Robert F. Kennedy are all buried here. It is the most visited site in the cemetery.</div>
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<div class="must-item">
<div class="must-emoji">🏛️</div>
<div class="must-content">
<div class="must-name">Arlington House</div>
<div class="must-desc">The former home of Robert E. Lee, perched on the hill with sweeping views of Washington DC. A National Park Service site within the cemetery grounds — kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge here.</div>
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</div>
<div class="must-item">
<div class="must-emoji">🎖️</div>
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<div class="must-name">Section 60</div>
<div class="must-desc">The resting place of service members from Iraq and Afghanistan. Added as a trolley stop on weekends. One of the most quietly powerful places in the entire cemetery.</div>
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<div class="must-item">
<div class="must-emoji">🗿</div>
<div class="must-content">
<div class="must-name">Iwo Jima Memorial (Marine Corps War Memorial)</div>
<div class="must-desc">Just outside the cemetery gates — the iconic flag-raising sculpture. Usually combined with the cemetery visit. Worth the extra 10 minutes.</div>
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<h2>How Long Does Arlington Cemetery Take?</h2>
<p>Budget <strong>2 to 3 hours minimum</strong> for a meaningful visit. If you're walking the full grounds and spending time at each stop, you can easily spend 4 to 5 hours. The trolley loop itself is 45 minutes, but most people hop off at multiple stops and catch the next one.</p>
<p>A good rule of thumb: don't plan Arlington as a quick stop before something else. Give it the time it deserves.</p>
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<h2>Getting There and Parking</h2>
<h3>By Metro</h3>
<p>The easiest way. The <strong>Blue Line stops directly at Arlington Cemetery Station</strong> — walk out of the Metro and you're at the Welcome Center. No parking hassles, no traffic. This is the recommended approach for most visitors.</p>
<h3>By Car</h3>
<p>Paid parking is available on site, accessible from Memorial Avenue. The garage opens at 8am and closes one hour after the cemetery. Cost is approximately <strong>$3 per hour</strong>. On peak days — Memorial Day, Veterans Day — the lot can fill up early in the morning.</p>
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<div class="parking-box-label">Parking Guide</div>
<h3>Driving to the DC area? Here's how to navigate parking.</h3>
<p>Arlington Cemetery parking is straightforward compared to parking inside DC itself — but if you're combining this visit with other DC stops, knowing your options matters. We've mapped out the full picture.</p>
<a href="/parking/washington-dc-parking-guide/">Read the Full DC Parking Guide →</a>
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<h2>Important: What to Know Before You Go</h2>
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<div class="tip-num">01</div>
<div class="tip-text"><strong>Bring a valid ID.</strong> Arlington requires a 100% ID check with no exceptions. US visitors need a state or government-issued photo ID. Foreign visitors need a passport — foreign ID cards are not accepted.</div>
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<div class="tip-num">02</div>
<div class="tip-text"><strong>No food inside the cemetery.</strong> Leave snacks in the car. Food and gum are prohibited on the grounds. Eat before you arrive or plan to stop nearby afterward.</div>
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<div class="tip-num">03</div>
<div class="tip-text"><strong>Silence at the Tomb.</strong> Visitors are expected to remain quiet during the Changing of the Guard. The guard may ask the crowd to quiet down — follow that immediately.</div>
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<div class="tip-item">
<div class="tip-num">04</div>
<div class="tip-text"><strong>Wear comfortable shoes.</strong> The terrain is hilly. Even if you take the trolley you'll be walking between stops on uneven paths.</div>
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<div class="tip-item">
<div class="tip-num">05</div>
<div class="tip-text"><strong>Active funerals happen daily.</strong> Be respectful if you encounter a service. The flag at Arlington House is lowered to half-staff 30 minutes before the first funeral of the day.</div>
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<div class="tip-item">
<div class="tip-num">06</div>
<div class="tip-text"><strong>Download the ANC Explorer app.</strong> Arlington's official app lets you locate gravesites, find points of interest, and navigate the grounds. Worth having before you arrive.</div>
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<h2>Food Near Arlington Cemetery</h2>
<p>Food and drink are not permitted inside the cemetery — and nothing is sold inside the grounds either. Plan ahead.</p>
<p>There is a casual American restaurant about a half mile from the cemetery entrance serving burgers, sandwiches, and more. Crystal City and Pentagon City are both short drives and have plenty of options. If you're taking the Metro, you'll pass through areas with food options easily.</p>
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<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
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<div class="faq-q">Is Arlington National Cemetery free?</div>
<p class="faq-a">Yes — entry to the cemetery is completely free. Parking costs $3 per hour. The trolley tour is an optional paid add-on at approximately $19.50 for adults.</p>
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<div class="faq-item">
<div class="faq-q">Is Arlington Cemetery open on federal holidays?</div>
<p class="faq-a">Yes. The cemetery is open 365 days a year, including all federal holidays. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are particularly meaningful times to visit — the trolley tours begin at 2:00pm on those days rather than 8:30am.</p>
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<div class="faq-item">
<div class="faq-q">How long does a visit to Arlington Cemetery take?</div>
<p class="faq-a">Plan for 2 to 3 hours minimum. If you're walking the full grounds and spending real time at each stop, budget 3 to 4 hours. Don't rush it.</p>
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<div class="faq-item">
<div class="faq-q">Is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier always guarded?</div>
<p class="faq-a">Yes — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without interruption since 1937. The Changing of the Guard takes place every 30 minutes April through September, and every hour October through March.</p>
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<div class="faq-item">
<div class="faq-q">Can I bring food to Arlington Cemetery?</div>
<p class="faq-a">No. Food, drinks, and gum are prohibited inside the cemetery grounds. Nothing is sold inside either — eat before you arrive or plan for a stop nearby afterward.</p>
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<div class="faq-item">
<div class="faq-q">Do I need a reservation for the trolley?</div>
<p class="faq-a">No reservations needed. Tickets are available at the Welcome Center on arrival or online in advance. Trolleys depart every 30 minutes so wait times are short.</p>
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<div class="faq-item">
<div class="faq-q">How far is Arlington Cemetery from DC?</div>
<p class="faq-a">It's just across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia — about 10 minutes from the Lincoln Memorial. The Blue Line Metro stops directly at Arlington Cemetery Station, making it one of the easiest major sites to reach from anywhere in DC.</p>
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