Exploring Travel Options: Dc To Dulles Airport

There are several ways to get to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) from Washington, DC. The most expensive option is to hire a car or taxi, or rent a car and drive yourself. This takes around 35-45 minutes, depending on traffic. A cheaper option is to take the Silver Line Metro, which takes around 46 minutes to get to Foggy Bottom. You can also take the bus, with the journey time depending on where you're going in the city.

By metro

The Silver Line Metro station at Dulles Airport provides access to trains from the airport to downtown Washington, D.C. and beyond. The Metrorail station at Dulles is connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways. To access the Metro, go to the baggage claim level and follow the signs. You'll then walk on an underground walkway (under the daily parking lot in front of the terminal building) and come out the other side, where the Metro station is.

The Silver Line Metro takes around 46 minutes to get to Foggy Bottom in D.C. and costs $6, or $3.85 off-peak/$2 on weekends, paid by SmarTrip or cash.

Until last year, Dulles Airport was almost completely inaccessible via the Washington Metro, the city’s rail system. Travellers had to take a bus to a Metro station 15-20 minutes away and then catch a train from there. In 2023, the Silver Line was extended to Dulles Airport, meaning you can now take the Metro directly from the airport to D.C.

By bus

There are a few different bus options for getting from DC to Dulles Airport. The 5A bus route operates on weekdays from 5:50 am to 11:35 pm. The first stop is Commercial Vehicle Dr & Dulles Airport Curb 2E and the last stop is D St SW Between 6th and 7th St SW. The total trip duration for this route is approximately 45 minutes. You can also take the Silver Line Express Bus from Wiehle-Reston East to Dulles Airport for an extra cost of $5. This bus has non-stop, frequent service every 15 minutes during peak times and 20 minutes during off-peak times. The bus ride from DC to Dulles Airport takes either 45 minutes or one hour and 10 minutes, and tickets start at $15.

Another option is the Virginia Breeze bus, operated by Megabus. This intercity bus service 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 Silver Metro line is also an option, which picks up at the airport and goes right into DC. The journey to Foggy Bottom, for example, takes 46 minutes. A ticket costs $6, or $3.85 off-peak/$2 on the weekends, paid by SmarTrip or cash. This is the fastest and most direct method into the city.

By taxi/Uber/Lyft

If you're travelling from Washington, D.C. to Dulles Airport, you can take a taxi, Uber or Lyft. Taxis are metered, so you could end up paying more to sit in traffic during rush hour. The only taxi company that is allowed to pick up or drop off at Dulles Airport is Washington Flyer, and fares into the city range from $65 to $73.

Both Uber and Lyft serve Dulles Airport, and you can find these services on the pickup level of the airport, up the ramp from baggage claim. Simply use the appropriate app to call the ride to the appropriate pickup point and wait outside until the vehicle arrives. Ride-share services to Washington, D.C., typically start at around $45, though it depends on the type of vehicle that you call. You can request a ride on demand, or you can reserve a ride with Uber up to 90 days in advance.

By shuttle

GO The Airport Shuttle offers transportation to and from Dulles International Airport and Washington DC, as well as Baltimore. They provide ride shuttles, private van services and sedan services. You can book a shuttle with them online and get a quote in minutes. They can be found on the inner lane at Dulles, on the ground level, next to sections 1D and 1E. Look for a white van with a green GO.

Another shuttle option is the Virginia Breeze, an intercity bus service operated by Megabus. This 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.

There is also a train option, the Silver Metro line, which picks up at the airport and goes right into DC. The journey to Foggy Bottom, for example, takes 46 minutes. A ticket costs $6, or $3.85 off-peak/$2 on the weekends, paid by SmarTrip or cash. This is the fastest and most direct method into the city.

By car

If you're driving from Washington, DC to Dulles Airport, the journey will take around 35-45 minutes, depending on traffic and your destination in the city. The Dulles Toll Road is exclusive and free for all cars coming from Dulles to I-495, the highway that surrounds Washington, DC.

To get to Dulles Airport from DC, you'll need to head west out of the city, towards Virginia. Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway south, which turns into I-495 W/I-95 S. Continue on I-495 W until you reach VA-267 W/Dulles Toll Road. Take the VA-267 W exit from I-495 W and follow signs for Dulles Airport.

If you're renting a car, you can use the Uber app to complete your reservation. You can also use taxi services, such as Washington Flyer taxis, which are available 24/7 at the airport. Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are also an option, with prices starting at around $55. However, ride-share drivers serving Dulles have a reputation for cancelling if they feel the trip isn't worth their while.

Another option is to take the bus. The Virginia Breeze bus service, 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 45 minutes to one hour and 10 minutes, and tickets start at $15.

Frequently asked questions