Washington D.C. (including Baltimore) - Public transportation from IAD to Crystal City, Alexandria

Don’t know if anything has changed since over 1 year ago. I recall taking a bus from IAD to West Falls Church Metro station. Jump on the Orange Line and change at Rosslyn for the Blue Line to CC. Is this still valid, or is there a better way? What should I budget, time wise?

Is Metrobus 5A like a regular city bus with little or no space for luggage?

Thanks.

The Metrobuses going to IAD and BWI are upgraded buses with luggage racks and better seat cushions. I usually manage to fall asleep on them, in fact.

The IAD-West Falls Church bus is the Washington Flyer. You'll want to take the 5A instead, since it goes to Rosslyn station on the Blue Line -- which takes you to both Crystal City (which is in Arlington) and Alexandria. Time is 50 minutes from boarding the 5A to arriving at Crystal City, including a 10-minute transfer; wmata.com has a trip planner that you can use to find 5A departures, and there are timetables posted at the bus stop and at the information desks inside the terminal. Bring $6 for the Metrobus; you can then buy a Metrorail farecard inside the station using a credit card.

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Here's a link to the commuter page for planning travel options in the metro DC area

http://www.commuterpage.com/metroconnect.htm

The Metrobuses going to IAD and BWI are upgraded buses with luggage racks and better seat cushions. I usually manage to fall asleep on them, in fact.

The IAD-West Falls Church bus is the Washington Flyer. You'll want to take the 5A instead, since it goes to Rosslyn station on the Blue Line -- which takes you to both Crystal City (which is in Arlington) and Alexandria. Time is 50 minutes from boarding the 5A to arriving at Crystal City, including a 10-minute transfer; wmata.com has a trip planner that you can use to find 5A departures, and there are timetables posted at the bus stop and at the information desks inside the terminal. Bring $6 for the Metrobus; you can then buy a Metrorail farecard inside the station using a credit card.

Thank you so much for the detailed info re transit. I do have a need to go from IAD to Crystal City, and then move on to Alexandria. I see that the Metro serves Alexandria also. Yes, I will take the Washington Flyer & Metro Blue to my first destination.

Here's a link to the commuter page for planning travel options in the metro DC area

http://www.commuterpage.com/metroconnect.htm

Thank you for the link, very helpful!

Thank you so much for the detailed info re transit. I do have a need to go from IAD to Crystal City, and then move on to Alexandria. I see that the Metro serves Alexandria also. Yes, I will take the Washington Flyer & Metro Blue to my first destination.

I agree with paytonc. You don't want to take the Washington Flyer because it only goes to West Falls Church. You will then require two Metro line rides - Orange Line from West Falls to Rosslyn, and then transfer to the Blue Line from Rosslyn to Crystal City.

Just take the WMATA 5A from IAD to Rosslyn and then take the Metro Blue Line train from Rosslyn to Crystal City. Probably significantly cheaper too...

Sorry, is 5A a metrobus? It is equipped with space for luggage as indicated up-thread. If so, I would reconsider. Thank you.
Where would I find this bus after exiting luggage claim? Are there Metrobus sign to look for?

Sorry, is 5A a metrobus? It is equipped with space for luggage as indicated up-thread. If so, I would reconsider. Thank you.
Where would I find this bus after exiting luggage claim? Are there Metrobus sign to look for?

Yes 5A is a metrobus. As to where to find it, I can't say. WMATA should say on its website and others will undoubtedly know.

Sorry, is 5A a metrobus? It is equipped with space for luggage as indicated up-thread. If so, I would reconsider.

YES. Do not take the Washington Flyer bus to West Falls Church. Take the Metrobus 5A to Rosslyn instead. You will save yourself a transfer and $4.

At Dulles, the Metrobus stops at the Ground Transportation Curb (Arrivals level, down the ramp) at curb location 2E.

The 5A's timetable: http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/dc/05a.pdf

paytonc & ITRADE,
Thank you both for your advice. ^
The link to the Metrobus 5A's schedule sheet is very helpful. I had downloaded the pdf for offline reference.

This is OT, please point me to some web sites re trains from Washington DC to Baltimore, MD.
Thanks in advance.

This is OT, please point me to some web sites re trains from Washington DC to Baltimore, MD.

You can see the options from the commuterpage link above, Amtrak and MARC.

BillJ

Noted.
Thanks

Just to fill the OP in with some more information, the 5A MetroBus does have 'luggage racks' above the front set of seats (on both sides of the bus), but they don't fit much, and they are relatively high - a small woman might not be able to reach it herself. They can fit roll-a-board bags well, but any large suitcases will not fit.

In addition, the bus can get VERY crowded and big suitcases can be huge pains on this bus.

Back when the 5A bus was $3.10, I'd easily suck it up and use this bus, but with the more expensive ride now, if you have large bags, it might just be easier and less worrisome (seats/bags/crowds) to just take the Washington Flyer bus.

I wish there were more options, but until the rail heads way out West, those are the two options to get into the city.

-jeremy

Just to fill the OP in with some more information, the 5A MetroBus does have 'luggage racks' above the front set of seats (on both sides of the bus), but they don't fit much, and they are relatively high - a small woman might not be able to reach it herself. They can fit roll-a-board bags well, but any large suitcases will not fit.
-jeremy

Thank you for the heads-up. Really appreciate it.
I am in DC now. Did take the 5A from IAD to Rosslyn Metro station. There is not much luggage space on the bus, as you had pointed out. Fortunately the trip from IAD was not crowded and I had 1 rollonboard plus a backpack.