
Yes, it is possible to travel between Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) via subway. The subway journey takes around 43 minutes to an hour and costs between $4 and $11. To get from IAD to DCA, travellers can take the Silver Line from the Silver Line Center Platform at IAD to the Blue Line at Rosslyn Station.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Travel time by subway | 43 minutes-1 hour and 2 minutes |
| Cost of subway ticket | $2–$8 |
| Lines to take | Silver Line to Rosslyn, transfer to Blue Line towards Franconia/Springfield |
| SmarTrip card cost | $2 |
| SmarTrip card balance | $8 |
| Total cost | $10 |
| Cheapest travel option | Driving ($5-$8) |
| Fastest travel option | Driving (38 minutes) |
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What You'll Learn

The metro rail is walkable from both IAD and DCA
Yes, it is possible to take the subway from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC. The metro rail is walkable from both airports.
The Washington, DC Metro is one of the busiest public transportation systems in the country, serving thousands of commuters and visitors daily. The metro rail system connects all four quadrants of DC with suburban Virginia and Maryland. It is a heavily used, popular, convenient, and affordable way to get around the region.
The walk from the terminal to the metro station at IAD is approximately five minutes via an underground path with moving sidewalks and escalators. The walk from the terminal to the metro station at DCA is much shorter.
To get from IAD to DCA, take the Silver Line towards Largo and get off at Rosslyn Station. From there, transfer to the Blue Line towards Franconia-Springfield and exit at DCA. The fare is $6, and you will need a $2 SmarTrip card, which can be purchased for $10 at IAD, including the $8 balance. You can also create a virtual SmarTrip card on your Apple or Android device.
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The Silver Line towards Largo, transfer at Rosslyn to the Blue Line
To get from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) by subway, you can take the Silver Line towards Largo and transfer to the Blue Line at Rosslyn.
The Silver Line is a rapid transit line of the Washington Metro system, with 39 stations across Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. The Silver Line runs from Ashburn in Loudoun County, Virginia, to Largo and New Carrollton in Prince George's County, Maryland. The Silver Line shares tracks with the Blue Line from Largo to Benning Road, with five stations shared between the two lines.
To get to DCA from IAD, you would take the Silver Line towards Largo. This means you are travelling west from IAD, which is in Loudoun County, towards Largo in Prince George's County. At Rosslyn, you would transfer from the Silver Line to the Blue Line. The Blue Line then takes you the rest of the way to DCA.
The subway journey from IAD to DCA takes approximately one hour, including transfers, and costs $4 to $11. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates the subway service, with trains departing from the Silver Line Center Platform at IAD and arriving at the Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 1 Platform at DCA.
It is worth noting that there is no direct train from IAD to DCA. However, taking the subway is still a convenient and cost-effective way to travel between the two airports without a car.
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The journey takes around 1 hour and costs $4-$11
Yes, it is possible to travel between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) by subway. The journey takes around 1 hour and costs $4-$11.
To get from IAD to DCA by subway, travellers can take the Silver Line from the Washington Dulles International Airport Metrorail Station to the Rosslyn Station. From there, they need to transfer to the Blue Line towards Franconia/Springfield and exit at DCA. The subway arrives at the Rosslyn, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 1 Platform station. The walk from the gate to the station at IAD is longer than at DCA.
The subway fare from IAD to DCA costs $6, plus a $2 SmarTrip card fee, totalling $8. It is possible to purchase a SmarTrip card at IAD for $10, which includes an $8 balance. This card can be used for the entire trip, but it may be necessary to add additional funds to the card, depending on the number of trips taken.
While the subway is a convenient option, it is worth noting that there are other transportation methods available for travelling between the two airports. These include driving, taking an Uber or Lyft, or using a shuttle service. Driving is the fastest and cheapest option, with an estimated time of 38 minutes and a cost of $5-$8. However, it is important to consider factors such as traffic and the availability of parking when opting for this choice.
Uber offers a convenient and flexible alternative, with an estimated trip duration of 36 minutes and a price of around $60. Additionally, there are private shuttle services available, such as Connect, which provide seamless airport transfers between IAD and DCA. These shuttles offer a stress-free journey, ensuring timely and safe transportation.
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There is no direct train between the two airports
While it is possible to travel between Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) by subway, there is no direct train service connecting the two airports. To travel between the two airports by subway, you will need to make transfers. The journey takes approximately one hour and costs between $4 and $11.
- Board the Silver Line at the Washington Dulles International Airport Metrorail Station towards Largo.
- At Rosslyn, transfer to the Blue Line towards Franconia/Springfield.
- Exit at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
It is important to note that the DCA station is much closer to the terminal than the IAD station. The subway journey between the two airports involves multiple transfers, which can be stressful, especially if you are travelling with a lot of luggage. Therefore, it may be more convenient to consider alternative transportation methods, such as a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or a private shuttle service. These options may be more expensive but could provide a more direct and comfortable journey.
Additionally, driving is another option for travelling between the two airports. The driving distance between the airports is approximately 27 to 28 miles, and the drive typically takes around 38 to 40 minutes.
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Alternatives include Uber, taxi, or bus
If you are looking for alternatives to the subway when travelling between Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and Reagan Washington Airport (DCA), there are a few options to consider, including Uber, taxi, or bus.
Uber
Using the Uber app, you can request a ride from DCA Airport to IAD at any time and on any day of the year. The app provides flexibility, allowing you to schedule a ride in advance or request one on-demand. The average price for this trip is $76, and the estimated trip duration is 36 minutes. The Uber app will suggest the most efficient route to your driver, taking into account factors like traffic and the number of riders in the area.
Taxi
Although not specifically mentioned as an option, traditional taxi services are likely available at both airports and can provide a direct trip between IAD and DCA. The cost and duration of a taxi ride would likely be similar to that of an Uber ride.
Bus
Taking the bus is another alternative to the subway when travelling between the two airports. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates a bus service that departs from Rosslyn, Blue/Orange/Silver Track 2 Platform and arrives at the Washington Dulles International Airport Metrorail Station, Silver Line Center Platform. This bus ride takes approximately 43 minutes and costs $2-8. Additionally, private bus services are available between the two airports, although specific details on duration and pricing are not provided.
These alternatives offer varying levels of convenience, affordability, and flexibility, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your preferences and travel needs when travelling between IAD and DCA.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take the subway from Washington Dulles International Airport Metrorail Station, Silver Line Center Platform to Rosslyn, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 1 Platform. The journey takes around 43 minutes and costs $2–11.
The fastest way to travel between the two airports is to drive, which takes around 38 minutes and costs $5-$8.
The cheapest way to travel between the two airports is to drive, which costs $5-$8 and takes 38 minutes.
Aside from driving and taking the subway, you can also take an Uber or Lyft, a shuttle, or a bus.











































