Three Ways to Tour
The US Capitol offers three distinct free tour experiences in 2026. Most visitors do not realize there is more than one.
| Tour | Length | Book via | Highlights |
|---|
| CVC Standard Tour | 45 min | visitthecapitol.gov | Rotunda, Crypt, Statuary Hall |
| Congressional Tour | 60-90 min | Your Rep/Senator | Above + extras, smaller groups |
| Gallery Pass | Drop-in | Senator/Rep or CVC desk | Watch Congress in session |
🧮
USA Trip Cost Calculator
Planning your DC trip? Capitol tours are free, but get a full budget including hotels, metro and meals with our calculator.
CVC Standard Tour
The default free tour, led by Capitol Visitor Center staff. Suitable for everyone — tourists, international visitors, school groups.
- Book free at visitthecapitol.gov up to 90 days ahead
- Available Monday-Saturday, 8:40am to 3:20pm, every 10-30 min
- No tours on Sundays or federal holidays
- Groups of up to 50 per tour slot
- Same-day walk-up passes available from 9am at the CVC — queue 30-60 min in peak season
- Tour begins with a 13-minute orientation film in one of two theatres
Pro move: book your CVC tour for the earliest 8:40am slot. You enter an empty Rotunda before the 10am wave.
Congressional Tours
If you are a US citizen, your senator or representative can arrange a private staff-led tour that goes beyond the standard route.
- Email your Rep's DC office 6-8 weeks ahead — every office has a "Tours" or "Scheduling" staffer
- Include preferred date, alternate dates, group size, names
- Smaller groups (often under 15)
- Led by a college-age staffer who may take you to the Speaker's Balcony, the old Supreme Court chamber, or the Brumidi Corridors — depends on office and day
- International visitors: ask the closest US embassy before arrival, or try the CVC standard tour
- Completely free, no tipping expected
Gallery Passes
Gallery passes let you watch the Senate or House in session from the public visitor galleries. This is different from the building tour.
- US citizens: request gallery passes directly from your senator or representative's DC office — many issue on request
- International visitors: go to the CVC lower level Appointments Desk (House) or Senate Appointments Desk — bring passport
- In session days: check senate.gov and clerk.house.gov for floor schedules
- Senate hours: typically Mon-Thu
- House hours: typically Tue-Thu
- Hearings: committee hearings (Finance, Judiciary, Intelligence) are often open — no pass needed, room capacity permitting
Committee hearings are often more interesting than floor sessions. Check house.gov and senate.gov committee calendars — you can walk in to any open hearing.
Security & What Not to Bring
The Capitol uses airport-style security plus several unique Capitol-specific rules introduced after January 6, 2021.
- No food, liquids (even sealed water), or gum
- No aerosol containers (including sunscreen spray, bug spray)
- No pointed objects — knives of any size, scissors, large pens
- No firearms (even with concealed-carry permit — federal property)
- No signs, posters, or placards
- No backpacks larger than 18x14x8.5 inches
- No cameras with detachable lenses in most galleries
- Strollers must be collapsed and screened
- Service animals only — no other pets
No bag storage exists inside the Capitol. If your bag fails screening, you must leave the building. Nearby Union Station has short-term lockers.
Dress Code
There is no printed dress code for tours, but galleries enforce "decorous attire" — here is what actually gets stopped at the door:
- Hats must come off in galleries (religious head coverings OK)
- No tank tops or exposed midriffs in galleries
- No clothing with political slogans in galleries
- Shorts are tolerated but not preferred
- Heels are fine — but Capitol floors are marble and tours cover 1+ mile of walking
- Comfortable shoes essential — the standard tour alone is 45 min on your feet
What You Will See
The Rotunda
180 feet tall under the dome, painted with Brumidi's "Apotheosis of Washington" fresco. Eight massive paintings ring the walls. The bier that held Lincoln, Kennedy, Reagan, McCain and Ginsburg sits beneath the dome.
The Crypt
Directly below the Rotunda — 40 Doric columns, a compass star marking the center of DC's four quadrants. Never actually held a crypt; George Washington chose to be buried at Mount Vernon instead.
National Statuary Hall
The original House chamber, now home to 35 state statues. Famous whispering gallery — stand on John Quincy Adams's marker and whisper, and someone at the opposite marker can hear you clearly.
Brumidi Corridors (sometimes)
Ornately frescoed hallways on the Senate side. Not on the standard CVC tour but often on congressional tours.
Capitol Visitor Center
The CVC opened in 2008 on the east side of the Capitol. Free, walk-in, no reservation.
- Emancipation Hall: huge atrium with statues from every state
- Exhibition Hall: 16,500 sq ft, "E Pluribus Unum" exhibit, original Capitol documents, 11 ft dome model
- Theatres: orientation film "Out of Many, One" plays every 15-20 min, free
- Restaurant: cafeteria-style, sandwiches and salads $10-14, open 8:30am-4pm
- Gift shop: books, Capitol replicas, senator stationery
- Free WiFi, restrooms, water fountains
Even without a tour booked, the CVC alone is worth 60-90 minutes. Perfect rainy-day option.
Three Ways to Tour
The US Capitol offers three distinct free tour experiences in 2026. Most visitors do not realize there is more than one.
| Tour | Length | Book via | Highlights |
|---|
| CVC Standard Tour | 45 min | visitthecapitol.gov | Rotunda, Crypt, Statuary Hall |
| Congressional Tour | 60-90 min | Your Rep/Senator | Above + extras, smaller groups |
| Gallery Pass | Drop-in | Senator/Rep or CVC desk | Watch Congress in session |
🧮
USA Trip Cost Calculator
Planning your DC trip? Capitol tours are free, but get a full budget including hotels, metro and meals with our calculator.
CVC Standard Tour
The default free tour, led by Capitol Visitor Center staff. Suitable for everyone — tourists, international visitors, school groups.
- Book free at visitthecapitol.gov up to 90 days ahead
- Available Monday-Saturday, 8:40am to 3:20pm, every 10-30 min
- No tours on Sundays or federal holidays
- Groups of up to 50 per tour slot
- Same-day walk-up passes available from 9am at the CVC — queue 30-60 min in peak season
- Tour begins with a 13-minute orientation film in one of two theatres
Pro move: book your CVC tour for the earliest 8:40am slot. You enter an empty Rotunda before the 10am wave.
Congressional Tours
If you are a US citizen, your senator or representative can arrange a private staff-led tour that goes beyond the standard route.
- Email your Rep's DC office 6-8 weeks ahead — every office has a "Tours" or "Scheduling" staffer
- Include preferred date, alternate dates, group size, names
- Smaller groups (often under 15)
- Led by a college-age staffer who may take you to the Speaker's Balcony, the old Supreme Court chamber, or the Brumidi Corridors — depends on office and day
- International visitors: ask the closest US embassy before arrival, or try the CVC standard tour
- Completely free, no tipping expected
Gallery Passes
Gallery passes let you watch the Senate or House in session from the public visitor galleries. This is different from the building tour.
- US citizens: request gallery passes directly from your senator or representative's DC office — many issue on request
- International visitors: go to the CVC lower level Appointments Desk (House) or Senate Appointments Desk — bring passport
- In session days: check senate.gov and clerk.house.gov for floor schedules
- Senate hours: typically Mon-Thu
- House hours: typically Tue-Thu
- Hearings: committee hearings (Finance, Judiciary, Intelligence) are often open — no pass needed, room capacity permitting
Committee hearings are often more interesting than floor sessions. Check house.gov and senate.gov committee calendars — you can walk in to any open hearing.
Security & What Not to Bring
The Capitol uses airport-style security plus several unique Capitol-specific rules introduced after January 6, 2021.
- No food, liquids (even sealed water), or gum
- No aerosol containers (including sunscreen spray, bug spray)
- No pointed objects — knives of any size, scissors, large pens
- No firearms (even with concealed-carry permit — federal property)
- No signs, posters, or placards
- No backpacks larger than 18x14x8.5 inches
- No cameras with detachable lenses in most galleries
- Strollers must be collapsed and screened
- Service animals only — no other pets
No bag storage exists inside the Capitol. If your bag fails screening, you must leave the building. Nearby Union Station has short-term lockers.
Dress Code
There is no printed dress code for tours, but galleries enforce "decorous attire" — here is what actually gets stopped at the door:
- Hats must come off in galleries (religious head coverings OK)
- No tank tops or exposed midriffs in galleries
- No clothing with political slogans in galleries
- Shorts are tolerated but not preferred
- Heels are fine — but Capitol floors are marble and tours cover 1+ mile of walking
- Comfortable shoes essential — the standard tour alone is 45 min on your feet
What You Will See
The Rotunda
180 feet tall under the dome, painted with Brumidi's "Apotheosis of Washington" fresco. Eight massive paintings ring the walls. The bier that held Lincoln, Kennedy, Reagan, McCain and Ginsburg sits beneath the dome.
The Crypt
Directly below the Rotunda — 40 Doric columns, a compass star marking the center of DC's four quadrants. Never actually held a crypt; George Washington chose to be buried at Mount Vernon instead.
National Statuary Hall
The original House chamber, now home to 35 state statues. Famous whispering gallery — stand on John Quincy Adams's marker and whisper, and someone at the opposite marker can hear you clearly.
Brumidi Corridors (sometimes)
Ornately frescoed hallways on the Senate side. Not on the standard CVC tour but often on congressional tours.
Capitol Visitor Center
The CVC opened in 2008 on the east side of the Capitol. Free, walk-in, no reservation.
- Emancipation Hall: huge atrium with statues from every state
- Exhibition Hall: 16,500 sq ft, "E Pluribus Unum" exhibit, original Capitol documents, 11 ft dome model
- Theatres: orientation film "Out of Many, One" plays every 15-20 min, free
- Restaurant: cafeteria-style, sandwiches and salads $10-14, open 8:30am-4pm
- Gift shop: books, Capitol replicas, senator stationery
- Free WiFi, restrooms, water fountains
Even without a tour booked, the CVC alone is worth 60-90 minutes. Perfect rainy-day option.