Sachin Walls
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located about 26 miles outside of Washington, D.C., in Dulles, Virginia. It is the busiest of the three airports in the D.C. area. When traffic conditions are good, it takes 40 minutes to get from Dulles Airport to Washington, D.C. by car or taxi, which are the fastest ways to get to the airport. However, taking the Silver Line metro or a bus/metro combo is a more economical option.
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What You'll Learn
By car or taxi
If you're travelling to Dulles International Airport and plan to stay in Washington, D.C., for longer than a couple of days, it's not recommended to rent a car from the airport. Parking in the city is expensive and hard to find, and you won't need a vehicle to get around once you're there. However, if you are set on travelling by car, there are a few things you should know.
Traffic is always a problem in the Washington, D.C., area, especially during weekday rush hours. If you arrive during rush hour, expect congestion on the streets. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit Washington, D.C., weather-wise, as winters are brutally cold and summers are uncomfortably muggy.
If you're taking a taxi, the Washington Flyer taxi service is the official ground transportation provider at the airport. They abide by the fares set by the local government, with a base fare (including the first 1/8 mile) of $3.50. An airport toll of $5 will be added to your fare, and any other road tolls will be added to the meter. The average cost of a taxi from Dulles Airport to the city centre is around $65. If you prefer a flat-rate fee, you can pre-book a private shuttle service. No reservations are necessary for taxi services, but if you want to pre-book, you can make a reservation 24 hours in advance to ensure vehicle availability and timely pickup.
If you're driving yourself, it's important to be aware of the airport regulations. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Regulations (Section 5.3.3) prohibit the solicitation of any individual located at the airport. Do not accept rides from drivers who offer services outside of a pre-arranged reservation or ride app service.
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By bus
If you're travelling to Dulles International Airport by bus, there are a few options available to you. The bus is a great option if you're looking to save money on your journey.
Megabus
Megabus operates up to three trips per day from Washington to Dulles Airport. The bus sets off from Union Station and drops you off at Curb 2A at the airport. The route includes three stops in Washington, DC, and the journey time is between 45 minutes and one hour and 10 minutes. Tickets start at $15. You can book your trip and track your bus in real-time on the Megabus website, where you'll find a wide range of payment options, including major credit cards and Google Pay.
Silver Line Metro
The Silver Line Metro connects Dulles Airport to Arlington, VA, and downtown DC. The Silver Line picks up from the airport and takes you right into DC. The journey to Foggy Bottom, for example, takes 46 minutes. A ticket costs $6, or $3.85 off-peak and $2 on weekends, paid by SmarTrip or cash. This is the fastest and most direct method into the city if you're travelling by bus or train.
Shuttle Services
There are a number of companies offering shuttle services from Dulles Airport to Washington, DC. Most are shared services, so your journey time will depend on the order of passenger drop-offs. Some companies offer a direct service for an additional fee. All shuttle services pick up outside arrivals at the main terminal building. GO Airport Shuttle offers 24/7 airport pick-up and drop-off with private cars and shared vans.
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By metro
Washington Dulles International Airport has its own Metrorail station, which is connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks. The tunnel provides convenient access to the airport's ticketing and baggage claim levels.
The Silver Line Metro station at Dulles provides access to trains from the airport to downtown Washington, D.C., and other destinations in the region. The Silver Line was developed in the 21st century to link Dulles Airport to Washington, D.C., and the edge cities of Tysons, Reston, Herndon, and Ashburn. The line was built in two phases: the first, linking Washington, D.C., to Wiehle-Reston East, opened in 2014. The second phase, extending the line through Dulles Airport and into Loudoun County, opened in November 2022.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates a subway from the Silver Line Center Platform at the airport to Metro Center, with tickets costing $4–6. The journey takes around 53 minutes. The Silver Line also goes to Foggy Bottom in D.C. in 46 minutes for $6, or $3.85 off-peak and $2 on weekends.
The pedestrian tunnel connecting the terminal and parking lots to Parking Garage 1 was closed in 2016 to accommodate the future Metro station entrance. It reopened in 2018.
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By plane
Washington Dulles International Airport is located in Virginia and serves the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The airport is accessible by car via the Dulles Access Highway, which is restricted to airport traffic. To reach the airport by car from I-66, take exit 67 (VA-267 W – Dulles Airport/I-495 N/Baltimore) and follow the signs to the airport. Alternatively, you can take I-95 south to exit 27 (I-495 West – "Capital Beltway") and then exit 45A. If you are coming from the north, take I-81 to I-66 East and exit at exit 53 (Rt. 28 North), following Route 28 to the airport.
The airport is also served by the Metrorail Silver Line, which connects to the main terminal via a pedestrian tunnel. The Silver Line provides a direct connection to Washington, DC, with a journey time of 46 minutes to Foggy Bottom. Tickets cost $6, with discounted rates of $3.85 off-peak and $2 on weekends.
In addition to the Metrorail, there are several other ground transportation options available at the airport. These include taxi, rideshare, and bus services, as well as shared van services to the Washington, DC, metro area, Virginia, and Maryland. For those renting a car, the airport offers various parking options, including valet, garages, and economy lots.
When travelling by plane, it is recommended to arrive at the airport two hours in advance for domestic flights and three hours in advance for international flights. The airport provides a play area for children near Gate B70 and a dedicated area for pets in the Terminal, on the Arrivals Level – Baggage Claim.
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Using GPS
If you are using a GPS device to get to Dulles International Airport, simply enter "Dulles Airport" as your destination. If your device does not recognize the location, you can use the airport's physical address: 1 Saarinen Circle, Dulles, VA 20166.
If you are driving to the airport from downtown Washington, D.C., you can travel west on I-66, take Exit 67, and follow the signs to the airport. From Baltimore, take I-95 south, exit at 27, and follow the signs for the airport. If you are coming from Richmond, take I-95 north, exit at 170B, then take Exit 45 and follow the signs to the airport. For those travelling from West Virginia, take I-81 to I-66 East, take Exit 53, and follow Route 28 to the airport.
Please note that the Dulles Access Highway is restricted to airport use only, and all vehicles on this road must be travelling to or from the airport.
If you are using a GPS application on your phone or device, you may encounter some issues with certain routes. For example, as of 2017, Google Maps no longer routed directions to the airport through the Dulles Access Road West of 28, instead recommending a route with tolls. However, other applications like Waze may provide more accurate directions.
In addition to driving, there are several other transportation options to get to and from Dulles International Airport. The airport offers direct access to the Washington Metro system via the Silver Line, which is located opposite the main terminal. You can take an underground path with moving walkways to reach the Silver Line station and then catch a Metro train into downtown D.C. This trip can take over 50 minutes, depending on your destination in the city. Shuttle services are also available, with buses running every 15 minutes to and from the rental car facilities.
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Frequently asked questions
To get to Dulles Airport by car, follow the I-81 to I-66 East and take exit 53 (Rt. 28 North). Then, follow Route 28 to the airport. The Dulles Access Highway is restricted to airport use only.
The closest metro station to Dulles Airport is the Washington Dulles International Airport Metrorail Station, which is connected to the airport via an underground walkway.
When traffic conditions are good, it takes approximately 40 minutes to get from Dulles Airport to Washington, D.C.
The address of Dulles Airport is 1 Saarinen Circle, Dulles, VA 20166.
Most pets that are 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. Dogs and other pets are generally permitted in the airport on a leash.
