I have to travel from DCA to IAD and be there by 4:00 PM. I will park my car at DCA and then take (1) the Metro to Rosslyn and then Metrobus 5A or (2) take the Metro to West Falls Church and catch the Washington Flyer bus. The cost is not an issue - more interested in elapsed time and reliability. Thanks!

I have to travel from DCA to IAD and be there by 4:00 PM. I will park my car at DCA and then take (1) the Metro to Rosslyn and then Metrobus 5A or (2) take the Metro to West Falls Church and catch the Washington Flyer bus. The cost is not an issue - more interested in elapsed time and reliability. Thanks!

The Washington Flyer bus is slightly more reliable, only because there are no other stops involved and because it gets right on the Dulles Access Road (where there is no traffic) from West Falls Church. Traffic on the 5a won't be terrible at that time, but there's more risk of an accident screwing things up.

Also, do you literally have to be at IAD at 4 (like for a meeting) or are you catching a flight? The 5A arrives at IAD at 4:01. If that's too late for you, you'd have to get to Rosslyn in time for a 2:24 bus to arrive at 3:11 at IAD. Washington Flyer would leave WFC at 3:15.

My experience with the 5A was that it was packed standing room only from Rosslyn up to a Park and Ride stop near Dulles at 4:00 PM on a weekday. If you choose this route don't carry too much luggage.

Why are you leaving your car at DCA in the first place? To have it handy for other business around DC? Sounds like you are not having to catch a flight from DCA.

Seems it might make better sense for you to leave the car at WFC in the covered parking there (should be spaces by mid afternoon) and take the Wash Flyer out to IAD and back, rather than the length and added travel from DCA either to WFC or out to IAD.

WFC is easy to get to by auto, also, just off I-66 and off the Dulles Toll Road before it merges with I-66.

I have to travel from DCA to IAD and ... The cost is not an issue - more interested in elapsed time and reliability. Thanks!

Why don't you get a cab????:confused:

Why don't you get a cab????:confused:

I can't speak for the original poster, but while the difference in cost between the $3.00 5A express bus and the $2.75 Metrorail + $9.00 Washington Flyer bus may not be an issue, the difference between the $11.75 Rail/Flyer trip and a $60.00ish cabfare may be.

Also, do you literally have to be at IAD at 4 (like for a meeting) or are you catching a flight?

OK, so 4ish... I have a flight at 5:40 PM.

Why are you leaving your car at DCA in the first place? To have it handy for other business around DC?

Flying out of IAD but into DCA late at night and want to leave my car at DCA. Long story...

I can't speak for the original poster, but while the difference in cost between the $3.00 5A express bus and the $2.75 Metrorail + $9.00 Washington Flyer bus may not be an issue, the difference between the $11.75 Rail/Flyer trip and a $60.00ish cabfare may be.

We have a winner :D

Definitely Washington Flyer.

[QUOTE=sonoftheheartland;8151931]Seems it might make better sense for you to leave the car at WFC in the covered parking there (should be spaces by mid afternoon) and take the Wash Flyer out to IAD and back, rather than the length and added travel from DCA either to WFC or out to IAD.
QUOTE]

Be careful about this option... Parking at the WFC Metro station is limited to 24 hours. Multi-day parking is not allowed and violators will be ticketed and towed.

Thanks, Annandaler. Good advice. Wasn't sure the length of time the OP would need and was thinking he was doing all this in same day. His explanation that he is flying out of IAD and returning to DCA clarifies the issue.

Another option is to take the Super Shuttle from DCA to IAD for $27.

For anyone who might be riding the Washington Flyer today or tomorrow, I have a one-way coupon that expires tomorrow (9/7) that I'm looking to give away over in Coupon Connection (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=733124).

I know that cross-posting is discouraged, but I really don't want this coupon to go to waste and I know that a lot of people don't frequent the CC. So if you want it, PM me and it's yours!

Definitely Washington Flyer.

Why is that better than the 5A? The 5A seems easier (one Metro from DCA, not two) and cheaper...

:confused:

Why is that better than the 5A? The 5A seems easier (one Metro from DCA, not two) and cheaper...

:confused:

The 5A is a better option. I think some were confused. Once upon a time, the WashingtonFlyer had coach service between IAD and DCA (also between downtown DC and IAD.) It is cheaper and just as expedient to take the metro to Rosslyn and hop the 5A. The 5A is just not frequent enough.

The 5A is always packed at Rosslyn. I've seen them turn people away at peak times because there's no room on the bus.

My advice is to take the yellow line to L'Enfant and hop on the 5A there... if you have the time.

The 5A is always packed at Rosslyn. I've seen them turn people away at peak times because there's no room on the bus.

My advice is to take the yellow line to L'Enfant and hop on the 5A there... if you have the time.

While it is true that the 5A is often packed at Rosslyn, I would not waste the time to go to L'Enfant. If you have to stand up for a while, I think you will survive.