Originally Posted by
MrAndy1369
I'm flying United from IAD, and would like to stop at Terminal B (near gate 71) to get my dinner, before my flight that departs from Terminal C. How much extra time would it take? I'm seeing that there's the train that takes you from post-security to B, which shouldn't take long, but then after I finish my dinner, I'd have to circle back all the way to C and walk that long walkway to the main C hall.
Realistically speaking, how much extra time should I factor in? Would going into B take me way out of my way, or is it really not too bad? I normally take DCA, but taking advantage of the Metro to go to IAD, so I'm pretty much an IAD newbie.
Thanks!
If you're used to DCA, you're going to be surprised by the size and physical distance between things at IAD. At DCA if you get dropped off at the terminal or express drop-off you are a few minutes from check-in/security and getting to your gate. At IAD, in addition to your Metro ride, plan on a 5-10 minute walk w/escalators from Metro to the terminal, then check-in (if applicable) and then thru security. Then for terminal B you can either take the train or walk it (another 5-10 minutes). To get to C, I believe you have to take the train back to the main terminal, then to A, then to C which arrives where (hopefully) the new terminal will be built someday. Today, it's another annoying 5-10 minute walk w/escalators to the gates. When I traveled frequently for work, I used IAD to maintain my UA 1K status. Now I only use only DCA (except for international flights) and regret all the hassle of IAD I put myself to just to maintain the status
