Washington DC Tours for SeniorsArlington Cemetery Tram Tour
The Arlington Cemetery tram tour is the most seated way to see Arlington National Cemetery and the cheapest ticket in this catalogue at $21.50 per person. Historic Tours of America, through its subsidiary Arlington National Cemetery Tours, runs the cemetery's only authorized interpretive tour bus. The ticket covers one loop of about 45 minutes with live commentary in English. You can stay on board the whole circuit, which makes it a strong match for older travelers who cannot manage 639 acres of hills on foot. Everyone needs photo ID, and foreign guests must carry a passport. To see how this seated loop compares with other options, browse the Washington DC tours for seniors.
About This Tour
A trolley operated by Historic Tours of America circles Arlington National Cemetery in one loop of about 45 minutes. A professional guide gives live commentary in English as you pass the graves and memorials. The listing calls the ticket hop-on hop-off and mentions seven stops, but the ticket text says it is good for one full loop around the cemetery. Ask the operator at the Welcome Center if you can break the loop and reboard.
The tour starts and ends at the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center, 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, VA 22211. The cemetery checks photo ID for every visitor with no exceptions, so bring the right document for each person in your party.
$21.50 per person. The ticket covers one full trolley loop around the cemetery and no separate entry ticket is needed. No senior price is published.
45 minutes for one loop. How long you stay in the cemetery afterwards is up to you.
The listing runs daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the last tour departing at 4:00 p.m. The cemetery page says trams depart every 20 minutes in that window, the operator says every 30 minutes. Meet at the Welcome Center, 1 Memorial Avenue. No exact departure time is assigned to your booking.
Seated. The ticket is good for one full trolley loop, and the listing says the tour suits all physical fitness levels. You never have to leave the vehicle.
Wheelchair accessible. Advise at the time of booking if you need a wheelchair-accessible trolley. Service animals are allowed.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund. The listing is sold through Viator.
Check Dates and Availability
Enter your date to see open slots for the trolley loop. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before departure.
You'll confirm the exact date and time on the secure booking page.
Quick answer Cost, length and who it suits
The Arlington cemetery tram tour costs $21.50 per person and runs one loop of about 45 minutes on the cemetery's only authorized tour bus.
Key takeaways
- You stay seated the whole time, which suits travelers with limited stamina or a wheelchair. See walking and comfort.
- Everyone needs photo ID, and foreign guests must show a passport. Details in before you go.
- Holders of a valid disability placard ride the tour bus free with one companion. See tram or walking.
- Want Arlington plus more of the city? Compare the private car tour or the full list of DC tours for seniors.
What the Price Covers
The $21.50 fare buys a seat on a guided trolley loop and nothing else. Here is exactly what the listing includes and leaves out.
Included
The inclusions are a professional guide, transport by hop-on hop-off trolley for one loop around Arlington cemetery, and live commentary on board. No separate entry ticket is needed for the cemetery, because the tour ticket covers your ride. The trolley is wheelchair accessible if you request an accessible vehicle at booking.
- Professional guide
- Transport by hop-on hop-off trolley for one loop around the cemetery
- Live commentary on board
Not Included
Gratuities, hotel pickup and drop-off, and food and drinks are all excluded. There is no hotel pickup, so you make your own way to the Welcome Center at 1 Memorial Avenue. Tip the guide if you feel the commentary earned it.
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Paid on Top and One Honest Note
Parking at the cemetery is paid, and tips are extra. One point to confirm before you go: the listing advertises hop-on hop-off at seven stops, but the ticket text says it is good for one full loop, and the stated itinerary lists four named stops. The official route has six standard stops.
Ask the operator at the Welcome Center whether your ticket allows you to hop off and reboard, and confirm which stops the trolley will serve on your day.
| Item | In the price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trolley ride, one loop | Yes | About 45 minutes, live commentary |
| Professional guide | Yes | English |
| Cemetery entry | Yes | No separate ticket needed |
| Wheelchair-accessible trolley | Yes | Request at booking |
| Parking at the cemetery | No | Paid, at the Welcome Center garage |
| Gratuities | No | Paid on top |
| Hotel pickup | No | Not offered |
| Food and drinks | No | Not included |
The Changing of the Guard at Arlington. Photo: Arlington National Cemetery, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How the Tour Runs
You meet at the Welcome Center, board the trolley and ride a full circuit of the grounds. The listing does not state how many minutes the trolley spends at any stop.
Meeting Point
The tour starts at the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center, 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, VA 22211. The cemetery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the tour operates 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the last departure at 4:00 p.m. The tour ends back at the same Welcome Center.
No departure time is fixed when you book, so arrive and join the next tram.
The Stops
The listing text names the JFK Gravesite and Eternal Flame, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the US Coast Guard Memorial, the IWO Jima Memorial outside the gate and Arlington House, with hop off possible at seven stops. The stated itinerary lists four named stops: John J Pershing Gravesite, Memorial Amphitheater and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, ORD and Weitzel Gate for the IWO JIMA Memorial, and Section 60 with the Colin Powell Gravesite on weekends only. The cemetery itself describes a standard route of six stops: JFK gravesite, Pershing gravesite, Memorial Amphitheater, Arlington House, Ord and Weitzel Gate and the Coast Guard Memorial.
Count them before you go and ask the driver which stops are served.
| Stop | Time there | On or off the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center | Start and end point | Meeting point |
| JFK Gravesite and Eternal Flame | Not stated | Hop off if the ticket allows |
| Memorial Amphitheater and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier | Not stated | Hop off if the ticket allows |
| Arlington House | Not stated | Hop off if the ticket allows |
| John J Pershing Gravesite | Not stated | Stated itinerary stop |
| ORD and Weitzel Gate, IWO JIMA Memorial | Not stated | Viewed from or near the gate |
| US Coast Guard Memorial | Not stated | Hop off if the ticket allows |
| Section 60 and Colin Powell Gravesite | Not stated | Weekend only |
Stops and Schedule
Two official and operator sources disagree on how often the tram leaves, so plan around a range.
How Often the Tram Runs
The cemetery states that tram tours depart every 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The operator's own ticket page says every 30 minutes. Treat the interval as 20 to 30 minutes and arrive early rather than late.
On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, tours begin at 2:00 p.m.
The Stops in Full
The standard route has six stops: the JFK gravesite, the Pershing gravesite, Memorial Amphitheater with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington House, Ord and Weitzel Gate and the Coast Guard Memorial. The weekend route adds Sections 55 and 59, the columbarium and niche wall and the Pentagon Group Burial Marker. The Viator listing says seven stops, and stop counts differ between sources.
Confirm the day's route with the driver.
Sources: Arlington National Cemetery, Tours and Groups, trolleytours.com.
The eternal flame at the Kennedy graves. Photo: Wknight94, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Changing of the Guard Timing
Plan your loop so you are at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier when the guard changes.
When the Guard Changes
The Changing of the Guard happens every hour on the hour from October 1 to March 31. From April 1 to September 30 it happens every 30 minutes. The Tomb is guarded at all times, so you will see sentries on any visit.
How to Time Your Hop Off
If your ticket allows you to leave the trolley, get off at Memorial Amphitheater before the top of the hour in winter, or half past in summer, and find a spot with a view of the plaza. Ask the driver for the current interval when you board.
Sources: Arlington National Cemetery, Changing of the Guard.
Walking, Wheelchairs and Comfort
This is one of the easiest tours in the catalogue for anyone who wants to stay off their feet.
What the Listing Says
The walking level is Seated. The listing says the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the ticket is good for one full trolley loop around Arlington Cemetery. No steps up into the vehicle are described, no rest stops are stated, and restroom information is not stated.
The trolley is wheelchair accessible, and you are asked to advise at the time of booking if you need a wheelchair-accessible trolley. Strollers are allowed if they fold. Service animals are allowed.
- Walking level: Seated
- Wheelchair accessible trolley on request at booking
- Service animals allowed
- Collapsible strollers allowed
The Cemetery on Foot, by the Numbers
Arlington covers 639 acres, and the cemetery states plainly that walking distances and hills require moderate physical exertion. That is exactly what the tram removes. If walking is hard, this seated loop is the Arlington option built for you.
Other options with little walking exist: the Potomac River lunch cruise, a two-hour seated cruise at $74.48 per person, and the private Washington DC tour, a four-hour car tour from $550 per vehicle that includes Arlington and has short walks of 15 to 25 minutes at the memorials.
Heat and Weather
Summer days here are hot. The normal high at Reagan National Airport reaches 89.6°F (32°C) in July. Bring water, because food and drinks are not included and there is no stated stop for buying them.
Sources: Arlington National Cemetery, Accessibility, NOAA NCEI Monthly Normals.
Tram or Walking: Which Suits You
Entry to Arlington on foot is free, and the tram is a paid ticket. Here is how to choose between them.
What Walking Costs You
Arlington National Cemetery covers 639 acres, and the cemetery warns that walking distances and hills require moderate physical exertion. Walking in costs nothing, so a fit visitor with time to spare can see the Tomb and the JFK gravesite on foot for free.
Who Should Ride
Ride the tram if you have limited stamina, if hills are a problem, or if you are visiting in the heat of a Washington summer. The tram carries you around the loop with commentary, and you can ride the whole loop without leaving your seat. Visitors with a valid disability placard ride the interpretive tour bus at no cost with one companion, which is worth knowing before you pay.
At $21.50 per person for about 45 minutes, it is also the cheapest guided ticket in this catalogue. For a longer ride with light walking, see the electric cart monuments tour.
Before You Go
Hours, ID rules and the season, all from the official sources.
Hours and ID
The cemetery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arlington runs a 100 percent ID check with no exceptions. US guests need a state or government issued photo ID, and visitors aged 16 and 17 may present a valid school ID.
Foreign guests must present a passport, and foreign ID cards are not accepted. This is a document check, not a charge. Walk-in visitors pass through security at the Welcome Center and do not need REAL ID.
Tickets and Passes
The tour ticket covers the tram loop and no separate cemetery entry ticket is needed. The ticket is $21.50 per person. No senior price is published.
America the Beautiful Senior Passes cost $20 annually or $80 for a lifetime for US citizens and permanent residents aged 62 and over, but they cover federal entrance and standard amenity fees and generally not concessioner fees, so they should not reduce this ticket. Ask the operator before counting on a discount.
Metro and the Senior SmarTrip
The Arlington Cemetery Metro stop is about a 5-minute walk from the main entrance at 1 Memorial Avenue. Riders 65 and older can get a Senior SmarTrip card with fares 50 percent off, so rail one-way costs $1.10 to $3.35 and the local bus is $1.10. Check WMATA's elevator status page before you travel, because outages can turn a short transfer into a long detour.
Season and Heat
Normal highs at Reagan National run from 44.8°F (7°C) in January to 89.6°F (32°C) in July, with October a mild 69.4°F (21°C). NWS Sterling issues a Heat Advisory when the heat index reaches 105 or higher east of the Blue Ridge. In summer, ride early in the day and carry water.
What to Bring
Bring your photo ID or passport, water in hot weather, sun protection for the open sections, and a light layer in winter when normal lows sit around freezing. Keep your ticket handy for boarding.
Sources: Arlington National Cemetery, WMATA, NOAA, NWS Sterling.
Closures, Funerals and Day-of Changes
Arlington is a working cemetery, and the day's schedule can change without much warning.
Funerals Come First
Arlington is an active cemetery, and funerals may require the tram to reroute or to close stops. A stop on your list, such as Section 60, may be skipped on the day. Treat the route as a plan rather than a promise and follow the driver's guidance.
Fixed Closures
The tram is closed on Wreaths In Day, December 19, 2026, and Wreaths Out Day, January 9, 2027. Separately, the US Air Force Memorial and the surrounding area temporarily close to all visitors starting on or about November 2, 2026. For current information on the day you visit, call the cemetery information line at 877-907-8585.
Your 45 Minutes on the Tram
Clock times where the listing states them, phase labels where it does not.
-
Meet
Arrive at the Welcome Center
Head to the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center, 1 Memorial Avenue. Pass the security and ID check with your photo ID or passport. Allow time for the line.
-
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Board the next trolley
Trams run daily in this window with the last tour at 4:00 p.m., and the cemetery page says every 20 minutes while the operator says every 30. No time is fixed at booking.
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First stop
Pershing Gravesite
The stated itinerary begins the circuit past the John J Pershing Gravesite as the guide gives live commentary.
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Mid-loop
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The trolley reaches Memorial Amphitheater and the Tomb. Time your hop off before the hour from October to March, or the half hour from April to September, if your ticket allows it.
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Mid-loop
JFK Gravesite and Arlington House
The loop passes the JFK Gravesite and Eternal Flame and Arlington House, with the Coast Guard Memorial and the Ord and Weitzel Gate for the IWO Jima Memorial on the route.
-
Return
Back at the Welcome Center
The full loop takes about 45 minutes and ends where it began. Stay for the cemetery itself if you have the legs, or head back to the Metro.
Pros and Cons
The honest version, for travelers 60 and over.
What we genuinely like
- The cheapest guided ticket here at $21.50 per person
- Seated for the whole 45-minute loop if you want
- Wheelchair-accessible trolley on request at booking
- Live English commentary from a professional guide
- Free ride for disability placard holders with one companion
The honest downsides
- The listing says hop-on hop-off with seven stops, but the ticket text says one full loop, so confirm reboarding with the operator
- Stop counts differ between the listing, the itinerary and the cemetery's own six-stop route
- 100 percent ID check, and foreign guests must carry a passport, no exceptions
- No hotel pickup, so you reach 1 Memorial Avenue yourself
- Paid parking, and tips, food and drinks are all extra
Who it's NOT for: Travelers who want Arlington covered along with the rest of the city in one vehicle should book the private Washington DC tour instead.
Questions About This Tour
Is the Arlington Cemetery tram tour worth it?
At $21.50 per person for a seated 45-minute loop with live commentary, it is the lowest priced guided ticket in this catalogue, and it covers the cemetery's hills without walking. Compare it with the other tours of Washington DC for seniors.
How much does it cost to take the tram tour around Arlington National Cemetery?
The ticket costs $21.50 per person. No senior price is published. Holders of a valid disability placard ride free with one companion, per the cemetery's accessibility page.
How long does the Arlington tram tour take?
One loop takes about 45 minutes. Trams run 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, every 20 minutes by the cemetery's count or every 30 by the operator's. See stops and schedule.
Do I need to get off the trolley?
No. The walking level is Seated and you can stay on board for the full loop. If your ticket allows hop-off, you can leave the trolley at stops such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
What ID do I need for the tram tour?
Arlington requires a 100 percent ID check with no exceptions. US guests need a state or government issued photo ID, visitors 16 and 17 may show a school ID, and foreign guests must present a passport. Foreign ID cards are not accepted. Details are in before you go.
Is the trolley wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The listing says wheelchair accessible, and asks you to advise at booking if you need a wheelchair-accessible trolley. Service animals are allowed, and collapsible strollers are permitted. For another seated option, see the Potomac River lunch cruise.
How do I get to the meeting point without a car?
The Arlington Cemetery Metro stop is about a 5-minute walk from the main entrance at 1 Memorial Avenue, and rideshare drop-off is directly in front of the Welcome Center. Riders 65 and older pay half fare with a Senior SmarTrip.
Prices, availability and terms are set by the operator and confirmed at checkout.
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