Navigating Dulles Airport: Exit Strategies And Tips

Dulles International Airport is located in Virginia, USA. The airport is served by Metrorail, taxi and rideshare services (Uber/Lyft). The Dulles Access Highway is restricted to airport use only. The airport has advanced technology to speed Customs screening.

Getting to Dulles Airport by car

If you are driving to Dulles Airport, you can enter "Dulles Airport" into your GPS device. If the location is not recognised, you can use the airport's physical street address.

If you are coming from the north, take I-81 to I-66 East and follow this to exit 53 (Rt. 28 North). Then, follow Route 28 to the airport.

If you are coming from the south, take I-95 to exit 27 (I 495 West - "Capital Beltway") to exit 45A. Follow the signs to the airport, which is approximately 13 miles from exit 45A.

If you are coming from the west, go west on I-66 to exit 67 (VA-267 W - Dulles Airport/I-495 N/Baltimore). The airport is approximately 16 miles from exit 67.

Please note that the Dulles Access Highway is restricted to airport use only.

Getting to Dulles Airport by public transport

The Metro’s Silver Line is a fast and direct way to get to the airport, with the underground walkway taking approximately five minutes to get from the terminal to the station. The Silver Line connects to the Red Line Metro toward Shady Grove, with the second stop being DuPont Circle Metro Station.

The Virginia Breeze bus, operated by Megabus, will pick you up at Curb 2A at Dulles Airport and take you to the Bus Deck at Union Station, with one stop in Arlington. The bus ride takes between 45 minutes and one hour and 10 minutes, and tickets start at $15.

The Metro system in Washington DC is efficient and convenient, with six colour-coded lines covering a vast network and connecting key attractions like the National Mall and the Smithsonian museums. Each station provides access to unique sights, from historic monuments to bustling markets.

Customs and Border Protection at Dulles Airport

All arriving international passengers and luggage, with the exception of those arriving from pre-cleared points of origin, must be screened by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Passengers who go through U.S. Customs at the flight's country of origin will arrive through doors located between Baggage Claims 4 and 12, the same exit point as domestic flights. Make sure to collect all of your luggage before exiting the CBP facility; re-entry is not allowed. Passengers connecting to another flight will need to re-check their luggage and go through screening by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Passengers ending their journey in Washington D.C. will exit onto the Terminal Arrivals Level - Baggage Claim. Dulles has advanced technology to speed Customs screening. You can find out more by calling the U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Inquiries Hotline on 877-227-5511 or CBP at Dulles on 703-661-2800.

Where to meet passengers at Dulles Airport

If you're meeting passengers at Dulles Airport, you should agree on a specific Arrival Door, numbered 1-7, on the Arrivals Level. Drivers should follow the airport signs for Arrivals on the roadway. The Arrivals Level is for active loading and unloading of passengers only; waiting is not permitted. A Cell Phone Lot is available for drivers to temporarily wait until they receive confirmation that the passenger has arrived and is waiting at the agreed-upon Arrival Door. Passengers leaving the Baggage Claim Area to meet a car and driver should proceed up the ramp to the Arrival Door on the Arrivals Level.

Passengers connecting to another flight will need to re-check their luggage and go through screening by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Passengers ending their journey in Washington D.C. will exit onto the Terminal Arrivals Level - Baggage Claim.

If you're picking up a pet, most pets, checked as baggage, will be hand-delivered to you in the Terminal, on the Arrivals Level - Baggage Claim area. Pets travelling as cargo are claimed at the Airline Cargo Facility.

Exiting the airport to Washington D.C

Dulles Airport is located about 26 miles outside of Washington D.C. in Dulles, Virginia. The easiest way to get from the airport to the city is by hiring a taxi or car service, or renting a car and driving yourself. This will take about 35-45 minutes, depending on traffic and where in the city you're heading to. The only taxi company that is allowed to pick-up or drop off at Dulles Airport is Washington Flyer, and fares into the city are metered and range from $65–$73. Ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft are also available from the airport, and fares begin at about $45.

If you're looking for a cheaper option, you can take the Silver Line metro from the airport to the city. This will cost about $6, but the Metro employs a variable fare system that charges you a different amount depending on where you're travelling to. To access the Metro in Dulles, go to the baggage claim level and follow the signs. Go down and walk on an underground walkway (essentially walking under the daily parking lot in front of the terminal building) and then come out the other side, where the Metro station is.

Frequently asked questions