How to get tickets, transportation options as Trump takes office

Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr. administers the oath of office to President Donald Trump during the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS

Advance planning is handy for navigating Washington, D.C., on any day of the week, let alone a busy, crowded Inauguration Day.

Here’s what you should know if you plan to visit the nation’s capital on this historic day.

When is the inauguration?

The ceremony inaugurating President-elect Donald Trump will take place at noon on Monday, Jan. 20 at the U.S. Capitol complex. The inaugural parade will follow, traveling down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, featuring ceremonial military regiments and marching bands.

Inauguration Day tickets

Anyone can attend the inauguration for free, but only people with tickets can enter the special-access area on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Others can view from farther back on the National Mall.

Special-access tickets are free, but they are limited and made available through members of Congress. A usa.gov search tool can help identify a person’s Congress member by home address.

A representative from Republican Congressman Andy Harris’s office said constituents can request tickets, but they did not know how many are still available.

How to get to the inauguration

Travelers are encouraged to use public transportation for the event. Those taking their personal vehicle should be aware there will be street closures and no public parking options near Capitol grounds.

“We do not recommend that visitors drive as most of downtown will be closed,” a District Department of Transportation spokesperson said.

Full weekday service will be available on all three lines of the MARC train. Train schedules for Inauguration Day are available on the MTA website.

The Washington D.C. Metro rail system will also be available. To avoid lines and delays, travelers may consider purchasing a SmarTrip card at a metro station kiosk in advance of the event day.

Using Lyft and Uber will be possible only outside the event’s security perimeter, according to Destination DC.

Details on shuttle bus parking locations are currently being worked out, the DDOT said. Those interested in updates can check D.C.’s inauguration website.

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