Amtrak Service From Dulles Airport: What You Need To Know

Washington Dulles International Airport is a major airport serving the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. While there is no direct Amtrak connection to Dulles Airport, there are several nearby Amtrak stations that travellers can get to by car, bus, shuttle, taxi, or rideshare. These include Manassas, Burke Centre, and Rockville, which are 30 to 40 minutes away from the airport by car, and Reston, which is the closest at 12 miles away. D.C.’s Union Station is also a primary Amtrak connection point for Dulles Airport, with a travel time of 45 to 60 minutes and a cost of $10 to $30.

Travel from Dulles Airport to Union Station

There are several ways to travel from Dulles Airport to Union Station, depending on your budget and time constraints.

Taxi or Private Transfer

Taking a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer is the quickest and easiest way to get from Dulles Airport to Union Station. Washington Flyer is the exclusive taxi service provider at Dulles Airport, and can get you to Union Station in around 40 minutes in light traffic conditions. The cost of a taxi is between $63 and $71 (€65-68), for up to 6 passengers, and payments can be made using cash or credit card. Tolls, surcharges and tips will need to be added to your final fare, including a $3 airport surcharge.

Bus

Taking a bus is an affordable and relatively quick option. A direct bus takes between 45 and 70 minutes and costs up to $22.98 (€22) per person. Virginia Breeze Bus Lines operates three daily bus routes from Dulles Airport to Union Station: the Highlands Rhythm and the Piedmont Express take 1 hour and 10 minutes, and the Valley Flyer takes 45 minutes. Tickets need to be purchased online in advance.

Metro

The metro is the cheapest option, costing just $6 (€5.70) per person, and less during evenings and weekends. However, the journey can take up to 80 minutes, as you will need to transfer at Metro Center Station. To get to Union Station from Dulles Airport, take the Silver Line Metrorail towards Largo and disembark at Metro Center Station. From there, change to the Red Line towards Glenmont for 6 minutes until you reach Union Station.

Car or Shuttle

Other options include driving yourself, taking a town car, or taking a shuttle bus.

The closest Amtrak stations to Dulles Airport

There is no direct Amtrak train to Dulles Airport. However, there are three Amtrak stations that are 30 to 40 minutes away from the airport by car: Manassas, Burke Centre (in Fairfax, Virginia), and Rockville (in Maryland).

Manassas Station

The Manassas Amtrak station is on the Northeast Regional, Crescent, and Cardinal routes, all of which connect with New York City. The Cardinal and Crescent are long-distance routes, so trains might be less timely than the Northeast Regional. The drive time from Manassas to Dulles Airport is about 30 minutes without traffic. It is recommended to avoid travelling during weekday rush hours, typically between 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Burke Centre Station

The Burke Centre Amtrak station is in Fairfax, Virginia, and only serves trains on the Northeast Regional route. The drive time to Dulles Airport is also about 30 minutes without traffic. There are additional driving routes that can help you avoid traffic during rush hour.

Rockville Station

The Rockville Station is a little further away from Dulles Airport than the other two options, and only one long-distance Amtrak train, the Capitol Limited, stops at Rockville each day. There can be heavy traffic on the drive to Dulles, especially during certain times of the day when I-495 is part of the driving route.

Alternative Options

If you are looking for a car-free option, you can book Washington D.C.'s Union Station as your final destination. From there, you can connect to WMATA subway trains on the red line and transfer to another rail line, and then connect with a bus. The overall trip time from Union Station to Dulles is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Additionally, the Silver Line Metro station at Dulles Airport provides access to trains to downtown Washington, D.C., and other points in the region. The station is conveniently connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks.

Travel from Amtrak stations to Dulles Airport

There is no direct Amtrak train to Dulles Airport. However, there are several options for travelling from Amtrak stations to the airport.

Union Station

Union Station in Washington, D.C. is the closest and primary Amtrak connection point for Dulles Airport. It is about 26 miles from the airport and is the busiest train station in the capital. From Union Station, you can connect to the WMATA subway train on the red line. You then need to transfer from the red line to another rail line and then connect with a bus. The total journey time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Manassas Station

The Manassas Amtrak station is on the Northeast Regional, Crescent, and Cardinal routes. All three routes connect with New York City, and the Cardinal and Crescent are long-distance routes, so trains may be less punctual than the Northeast Regional. The station is about 30 minutes from the airport by car, and Uber, Lyft, or taxi is recommended.

Burke Centre Station

The Burke Centre Amtrak station is in Fairfax, Virginia, and the only trains that stop here are on the Northeast Regional route. The station is about 30 minutes from the airport without traffic, and again, Uber, Lyft, or taxi is recommended.

Rockville Station

Rockville Station is a little further away from Dulles than the other two. Only one long-distance Amtrak train stops at Rockville each day—the Capitol Limited. There can be heavy traffic on the driving route to Dulles, especially during the week as I-495 is part of the route.

Reston Station

The Reston station is the closest Amtrak station to Dulles Airport, at about 12 miles away. This station offers a direct rail link.

By Metro

The Silver Line Metro station at Dulles provides access to trains from the airport to downtown Washington, D.C. and the surrounding region. The station is connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks. Washington Dulles International Airport is connected directly to Metro's Silver Line. Follow the signs to the underground walkway, which is approximately five minutes from the terminal.

Travel from southern Virginia to Dulles Airport via Amtrak

Travelling from southern Virginia to Dulles Airport via Amtrak requires a connection as there is no direct Amtrak service to the airport. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the journey:

Step 1: Board an Amtrak train to one of the nearby stations

The closest Amtrak stations to Dulles Airport are Manassas, Burke Centre (in Fairfax, Virginia), and Rockville (in Maryland). These stations are approximately 30 to 40 minutes away from the airport by car. Depending on your specific location in southern Virginia, you can choose the most convenient route and board an Amtrak train to one of these stations.

Step 2: Travel from the Amtrak station to Dulles Airport

Upon arriving at one of the nearby Amtrak stations, you will need to transfer to another mode of transportation to get to Dulles Airport. Here are some options:

• By Car: You can use ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft, or take a taxi to get to the airport from these stations. The drive time is approximately 30 minutes without traffic, so be sure to account for potential traffic delays, especially during weekday rush hours.
• By Metro: If you prefer not to travel by car, you can use the Washington D.C. Metro system. From the Manassas station, you can take a train on the Northeast Regional, Crescent, or Cardinal routes to reach your destination. The Silver Line Metro connects Dulles Airport to the rail network and is easily accessible from these stations.
• Via Union Station: D.C.'s Union Station is the primary Amtrak connection point for Dulles Airport, although it is not the closest. From Union Station, you can connect to WMATA subway trains on the Red Line and then transfer to another rail line to reach the airport. This option allows you to travel mostly car-free. The total trip time from Union Station to Dulles is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Step 3: Arrive at Dulles Airport

Regardless of the route you choose, you will ultimately arrive at Dulles International Airport. The airport is a major transportation hub located about 26 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C., serving the nation's capital and the surrounding area. The Silver Line Metro station at Dulles provides convenient access to the main terminal via an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks.

Travel from Washington D.C. to Dulles Airport via Amtrak

Dulles International Airport is a major airport serving the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. While there is no direct Amtrak train service to Dulles Airport, there are several Amtrak stations nearby that can be reached via alternative transportation. Here is a guide to help you plan your journey from Washington D.C. to Dulles Airport via Amtrak:

Amtrak Stations Near Dulles Airport

The closest Amtrak station to Dulles Airport is Reston, which is about 12 miles away and offers a direct rail link. However, there are also three other Amtrak stations that are located 30 to 40 minutes away from the airport by car:

• Manassas: This station is served by the Northeast Regional, Crescent, and Cardinal routes, connecting with New York City.
• Burke Centre (in Fairfax, Virginia): This station is served by the Northeast Regional route.
• Rockville (in Maryland): Only one long-distance Amtrak train, the Capitol Limited, stops at Rockville each day.

Transportation Options from Amtrak Stations to Dulles Airport

From the above-mentioned Amtrak stations, you can use various transportation options to get to Dulles Airport:

• Ride-hailing services: Uber, Lyft, or a taxi is recommended for travelling between the Amtrak stations and the airport. The drive time is approximately 30 minutes without traffic. However, it is best to avoid travelling during weekday rush hours, typically between 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Union Station in Washington, D.C.: Although not the closest, Union Station is the primary Amtrak connection point for Dulles Airport. From Union Station, you can use the Silver Line Metro, buses, shuttles, or rideshare services to get to the airport. The journey usually takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs between $10 to $30, depending on your chosen mode of transportation.
• Metro Rail: The Silver Line Metro connects Dulles Airport to the rail network and provides access to trains from the airport to downtown Washington, D.C. The Metrorail station at Dulles is connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks.

Frequently asked questions