INAUGURATION ’09 From Atlanta to Washington, D.C.

TRAVEL FROM ATLANTA TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

Andrew Councill / The New York Times

In D.C., the historic U Street neighborhood (home to the now-famous Ben's Chili Bowl, above) is becoming trendier as it tries to hold onto its sense of history. • Story | More D.C. sightseeing: See Washington on a budget | Photos | Washington, D.C. travel guide

• Find Metrorail hours

• Get the weather forecast for D.C.

LATEST INAUGURATION HEADLINES

ACCESS TO INAUGURAL EVENTS

Most events associated with the inauguration are by ticket or admission only, but the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue is free and open to the viewing public. Without tickets, be prepared to stand outside in a big crowd in cold weather and to watch events unfold on a jumbotron.

JAN. 20 SWEARING IN: Gates to the stands (by ticket only) open at 9 a.m. Vice-president-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in around 11:45 a.m. President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in shortly before noon.

PARADE: You may have to choose between the inaugural parade and the swearing-in ceremony. For the parade, line up as early as 7 a.m. to snag a good viewing spot. The parade begins at 2:30 p.m., but access to the route will be cut off well before then. • Find the parade entry points

• Map the parade route

• See the sights along the route

Cell phone service may be spotty in such a large crowd. Also, security may be tighter than usual and some Metrorail stations might be closed. Plan ahead.

GETTING AROUND WASHINGTON, D.C.

Transportation: Parking will be extremely limited in the district on Jan. 20.

Metrorail is a fast, efficient way to zip around the district. Fares start at $1.65 per ride. (Metrobus starts at $1.35 per ride.) Information and hours, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

• More D.C. transportation information from the Mayor's office

TRAVELING TO WASHINGTON, D.C., FROM ATLANTA

Arrival: Washington, D.C., is about a 10-hour drive from Atlanta. (Click here for a map.)

The city is also served by three airports and Amtrak:

• Washington Dulles International Airport (Chantilly, Va.)

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Arlington, Va.)

• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (Linthicum, Md., about 45 minutes' drive to D.C.)

• Amtrak — From Atlanta, it's about a 14-hour train trip; the train arrives at Union Station near the U.S. Capitol.

WHERE TO STAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Hotels: Hotel rooms are still available around the District.