Inauguration Travelers Need a Bailout

Inauguration Tourists

This has prompted some folks to look for lodging as far away as Baltimore and even Richmond, Va. Or, you can be really adventurous and go to couchsurfing.com and stay on a stranger's sofa! Don't laugh, there are a lot of folks who swear by this, and say it forges lifelong friendships.

But let's get back to my area of expertise -- the airlines and airfares. Look at those steep prices again. You will want to protect this big investment in case of delays and/or weather-related snafus, so be sure to arrive a day or two early. I know Washington is not exactly Buffalo, N.Y., when it comes to snowfall, but it has its moments. Does anyone remember JFK's inauguration in 1961?

Eight inches of snow had fallen and it was bitterly cold. Still, a million people managed to get there anyway -- many by abandoning their cars and cabs in the snowy streets of D.C. and hoofing it.

But you can't hoof it from Houston, so give yourself a "snow delay" margin. After all, you don't want to miss what you came for, the opportunity to hear our 44th president say the following words:

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Actually, the recitation of the oath will only take about 30 seconds or so, which raises the question: Is it worth it? Worth all the time and money you'll put in to get to D.C. to hear it in person?

Well, it's like I said: How do you put a price tag on history?

This work is the opinion of the columnist and in no way reflects the opinion of ABC News.

Rick Seaney is one of the country's leading experts on airfare, giving interviews and analysis to news organizations, including ABC News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, The Associated Press and Bloomberg. His Web site FareCompare.com offers consumers free, new-generation software, combined with expert insider tips to find the best airline ticket deal.