Can anyone recommend the cheapest and most comfortable (trying to kill two birds with one stone) way of getting between IAD and DC.

Thanks

http://www.wmata.com/timetables/dc/5a.pdf

don't know how it handles luggage.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by slawecki:
http://www.wmata.com/timetables/dc/5a.pdf

don't know how it handles luggage.</font>

It doesn't really handle luggage. I tried this the last time, and it was easy, but I only had a shoulder bag that I could put in my lap. It is a regular bus, so you might have an empty seat beside you, but no luggage storage otherwise.

The next cheapest method, with luggage facilities, is taking a Washington Flyer bus to the West Falls Church metro and continuing on the Metro.

http://www.washfly.com/

BillJ

The cheapest is definately the 5A Metrobus with a transfer to the Blue subway line at Rosalyn, but it's not that comfortable. It's a regular city bus that's crowded with airport workers. Few actual travelers use it. There is a very small rack for luggage immediately to the left as you get on.

If you'd rather not rough it, the Washington Flyer would probably be your best option.

I wouldn't try the 5A Metrobus with anything more than a caryyon - they don't seem to like luggage!

The Washington Flyer bus to West Falls Church, followed by the MetroRail into downtown DC is your best bet.

Alternatively, SuperShuttle will get you into Downtown, door to door, for $20-22, and don't mind lots of luggage. They depart more frequently than the Flyer or Metrobus as well.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by House:
I wouldn't try the 5A Metrobus with anything more than a caryyon - they don't seem to like luggage!</font>

Agreed - I took it for the first time yesterday, and the driver was being particular as to where he was letting people put luggage. In your lap ended up being about the only real option.

Good points - cheap ($2), convenient to Metro subway connections, more comfortable than the "people mover" b/t Dulles terminals, and - for me - dropped me off 2 blks from work.

Bad points - doesn't deal with luggage, somewhat hard to find (signage is pretty minimal), limited (hourly) service, and it was about 20 min. late.

Hi all, well my first time into Washington DC is coming up in a couple of days, flying into IAD and given the luggage and reading the forum taking the Washington Flyer, just a question regarding the tickets with the round trip ticket, how long are they valid for??
Thanks in advance :cool:

Hi all, well my first time into Washington DC is coming up in a couple of days, flying into IAD and given the luggage and reading the forum taking the Washington Flyer, just a question regarding the tickets with the round trip ticket, how long are they valid for??
Thanks in advance :cool:

I believe that they are open-ended on the return ticket. You buy your ticket at the Washington Flyer desk just inside Arrivals Door 4 and the bus stops just outside that door. Tickets are $8 one-way and $14 round-trip. If you find there is limited validity on the return ticket, it only costs $2 more to buy separate one-way tickets.

Washington Flyer, just a question regarding the tickets with the round trip ticket, how long are they valid for?
The dates on the ticket will indicate it is valid for any trip within 6 months of issue (not necessarily from date of the outbound leg). In practice, however, I don't think the agent looks too closely at the dates.