Jazmin Li
The Dulles International Airport in Washington DC is connected to the city's Metrorail system via the Silver Line. While it is possible to purchase Metro fare cards at the entrance of the Dulles Station, it is not possible to buy SmarTrip cards at the airport. SmarTrip cards can be purchased from vending machines at any Metro station, from commuter stores, or online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you get a DC metro card at Dulles Airport? | No, you cannot buy a SmarTrip card at Dulles airport. |
| How to get to DC from Dulles Airport | You can take the Silver Line from the Dulles International Airport Station. The station is right at the airport and easily accessible by shuttle bus or on foot. |
| How much does it cost? | The maximum charge is $6 per rider. A 1-day unlimited pass costs $15.50. |
| Where can you get a SmarTrip card? | SmarTrip cards can be ordered online or bought at vending machines at any Metro station or commuter store. |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy SmarTrip cards
While it is not possible to buy a SmarTrip card at Dulles Airport, there are several other ways and places to purchase one.
Firstly, SmarTrip cards can be ordered online and delivered to you. They can also be purchased from SmarTrip card vending machines, which are available at every Metro station. Cards can also be bought at Metro sales offices, sales agents, and commuter stores. Senior SmarTrip cards are available with proper ID from Metro sales offices or commuter stores. Some pharmacies and grocery stores also sell SmarTrip cards.
In addition, SmarTrip cards can be purchased on your phone without buying a physical card. You can download the SmarTrip app, create an account, and buy a virtual card. This can also be done through Google Wallet.
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Cost of SmarTrip cards
SmarTrip cards can be purchased online, at the station, or at a vending machine. The card costs $2 and comes with $8 or $28 in stored fare value, depending on the type of card. The total price for the card with $8 in stored fare value is $10, while the total price for the card with $28 in stored fare value is $30. The 1-Day Unlimited Pass costs $15.50, which includes $2 for the card and $13.50 in preloaded credit. The 3-Day Unlimited Pass allows unlimited Metrorail and Metrobus travel with no time restrictions and costs $15.50. SmarTrip cards can also be purchased with monthly passes for unlimited rides at a discount. For example, OmniRide Express riders can purchase a monthly pass for unlimited rides for $285, a 41% discount off the $484 in one-way fares it would cost to ride daily for a month.
SmartBenefits® is a tax-free or pre-tax benefit of up to $300 per month that private employers and federal agencies can provide to their employees to help cover the cost of commuting. Employers can assign the dollar value of an employee's monthly SmartBenefit directly to the employee's SmarTrip card for use on mass transit and in participating vanpools. SmarTrip cards can be used interchangeably throughout Washington, Baltimore, and the surrounding region.
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$32 $34.95
Silver Line train from the airport
The Silver Line train is a convenient way to get from Dulles International Airport to Washington, DC. The Silver Line extension has made it possible to get to the city quickly and at a low cost. The journey from the airport to the heart of DC takes around 30 to 40 minutes.
The Dulles International Airport Station is easily accessible on foot or by shuttle bus. The station is connected to the airport terminal via a climate-controlled pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways. The Silver Line train runs through Tysons and Arlington, downtown DC, and ends in Largo, Maryland, on the other side of Washington, DC.
Some notable tourist attractions on the route include the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Washington Monument, and the White House. Passengers can also transfer to other Metro rail lines at five stations along the route. For example, transferring to the Blue line at Rosslyn will take you to DCA Metro Station.
Metro fare cards can be purchased at the entrance of the Dulles International Airport Station. You may buy a SmarTrip Card or top up an existing one. SmarTrip Cards are required for each rider aged 5 and older and can be purchased online or at vending machines at every Metro station. These cards can also be added to your phone or mobile device using Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
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Shuttle bus to the Metro station
If you're looking to take a shuttle bus to the Metro station from Dulles Airport, there are a few options available. The Dulles International Airport Metro Station is connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways, so you can easily walk to the station. However, if you would prefer to take a shuttle, there are a few options:
The first option is to take the Silver Line Express shuttle bus, which is run by the airport's franchise company. This shuttle will take you to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station, which is the closest Metro station to Dulles Airport. The fare for this shuttle is $5, and it uses exclusive airport highway lanes, so it may be faster than the 5A bus.
Another option is to take the 5A Metrobus, which also goes to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. The fare for this bus is $7.50, and it does not use the exclusive airport highway lanes like the Silver Line Express. You can board the 5A bus at the second curb after exiting the ramp from baggage claim. At L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station, you can wait for the 5A bus at Bus Stop "J", and at Rosslyn Metro Station, you can wait at Bus Stop "A".
It's important to note that you cannot buy a SmarTrip card at Dulles Airport, so make sure you have the exact cash fare or are prepared to overpay if using cash. You can also use a SmarTrip card to pay for your fare, but be sure to have it ready before boarding as the bus will not give change.
Using the Metro to get to and from Dulles Airport is a cost-effective and convenient way to travel. The Silver Line extension has made it even faster and more accessible to get to Washington DC from the airport, with a travel time of about 30-40 minutes to the heart of the city.
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Contactless payment options
While it is possible to purchase a Metro card at Dulles Airport, there are also several contactless payment options available for travellers who do not wish to carry a physical card. Contactless payment options include:
SmartTrip Card
The SmarTrip card is a virtual card that can be added to your phone or mobile device via Apple Wallet or Google Pay. This card can be ordered online or purchased at any Metro station. It is important to follow the instructions carefully when adding the card to your device, as a mistake could result in the deactivation of the physical card and loss of any balance. The SmarTrip card can also be loaded into your mobile wallet and used for contactless payment at Metrorail faregates.
Contactless Credit or Debit Card
Metro DC has launched contactless payment options, allowing commuters to use their contactless credit or debit cards, or even their phones or smartwatches, to make payments. This "tap to pay" system works by holding your card or device up to the fare gate and waiting for the beep before proceeding. The system charges the same fare as a regular SmarTrip card, with no additional fees.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you can't buy a SmarTrip card at Dulles Airport. You can, however, purchase one from a vending machine at any Metro station, from any commuter store, or online in advance of your trip.
Take the Silver Line train from the Dulles International Airport Station. The station is right at the airport and easily accessible by shuttle bus or on foot. The Silver Line runs through Tysons and Arlington, downtown DC, and ends in Largo Maryland on the other side of Washington DC.
The maximum fare is $6 per rider. However, it will almost always be $6 unless you're staying close to the airport.
You can take a taxi, a bus, or a private shuttle. You can also use ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft.
