Not all great DC-area field trips are on the Mall. Two of the best sit out in Virginia, and both are far easier to reach by bus than by a string of parent cars. George Washington’s Mount Vernon brings history to life on the Potomac, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles holds the Space Shuttle Discovery in a hangar you have to see to believe. Both have real bus parking, which makes the day simpler. To check a trip date and group size, call 227-263-8000 to book your charter bus rental.
bus is practical for trips to mount vernon and udvar hazy
Both Mount Vernon and Udvar-Hazy sit outside the city, where coordinating a class in private cars gets messy. Mount Vernon is about 30 minutes south along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and Udvar-Hazy is roughly 45 minutes west near Dulles Airport. Neither is near a Metro stop, so a bus is the practical way to move a whole class.
Both venues are built for buses. Unlike the Mall, where buses cannot park, these sites have dedicated bus parking and clear group entry. That removes the staging headache and lets the driver park and stay while the class explores. The two attractions are covered together below because they make a natural pair of trips for a history or science class.
confirm group entry and timing for both venues
Both offer bus parking and group programs, so confirm group entry and timing when you reserve. Addresses and phone numbers are below.
George Washington’s estate on the Potomac, with the mansion, grounds, and a hands-on education center. Bus parking is available off Route 235, and drivers typically receive free parking and admission. A bus drops the class at the entrance and parks nearby for the day.
The Smithsonian’s companion hangar near Dulles, home to the Space Shuttle Discovery and an SR-71 Blackbird. Admission is free, though parking carries a fee, and buses dropping for under 30 minutes are typically not charged. There is room for a bus to park while the class tours the hangar.
For the classic Mall museums instead, see our Washington DC field trip bus guide.
book early for spring trips and education programs
Book several weeks out, and a couple of months ahead for a spring trip when school groups flood the region. Both venues run education programs that need advance reservation, so line up your group entry and any guided program at the same time you book the bus.
Confirm these details before the trip. At Mount Vernon, check the bus parking and driver admission details so the driver knows where to go. At Udvar-Hazy, confirm the parking fee situation, since the museum is free but the lot is not. And at both, build the drive time into your schedule honestly. These are not five-minute hops, and a class that leaves late loses real touring time on the far end.
choose vehicle based on class size and trip length
Choose the vehicle based on class size and trip duration. A school bus keeps costs down for a straightforward run, while a charter adds comfort for the longer drive to Chantilly.
- For a budget-friendly trip, a school bus rental works well for both venues and their bus parking.
- For a smaller class, a 35 passenger minibus is comfortable and easy to park.
- For a full grade on the longer Udvar-Hazy run, a 56 passenger charter bus seats everyone with a restroom on board.
Not sure which fits? Our team books these Virginia trips often and can match a vehicle to your class. See the full school event bus rental options.
consider mileage and rates for day trips
Because both sites are outside the city, these are day trips where mileage matters alongside the hourly or day rate. A Mount Vernon run is shorter, while Udvar-Hazy near Dulles adds miles in both directions. A typical full-day booking lands in the middle of the day-rate ranges below. A driver gratuity of 10 to 20 percent is standard and is not always in the quote.
| Vehicle | Per Day | Per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow School Bus | $1,520 – $3,655 | $6.00 – $9.95 |
| 50 to 56 Passenger Charter Bus | $1,800 – $3,800 | $6.00 – $9.95 |
Prices may vary greatly in your city and state. Due to the impact of COVID-19 and inflation, all rental prices shown are past estimates. Actual pricing may be significantly higher depending on availability and location. For senior and team trips, see our school band, team, and senior class trip bus guide.
sample itinerary for a full day at mount vernon
Here’s how a bus can cover a full day at Mount Vernon, parking on site during the tour.
- 8:30 am, bus loads at the school.
- 9:15 am, arrive and drop at the Mount Vernon entrance.
- 9:30 am, class begins the estate tour and education center.
- 1:00 pm, lunch on the grounds, then a short wrap-up.
- 2:00 pm, reboard and return to school.
A Udvar-Hazy day follows the same shape with a longer drive each way, so start earlier. Give the driver the schedule and the parking plan in advance, and confirm any guided program time so the class is not waiting at the door.
contact us to book your school bus rental
Once you have the venue, the date, and a head count, the rest comes together fast. Charter Bus Washington DC works with schools across the region and can match the right vehicle to your class and hold the date before spring fills up. Call 227-263-8000 or use the online quote tool to book your school bus rental and get the class to Virginia the easy way.
