Getting to IAD from Richmond VA
 

I'm looking at public transportation options from Richmond to IAD.

I thought originally of taking Amtrak into DC and then grabbing one of the various options to IAD.

But since Amtrak would be taking me through Northern Virginia, would it make sense to get off on another stop and grab a taxi? If so, which one? Also this will be on a Sunday - would need to be darn sure there were taxis available!

Get off at Alexandria, VA, one stop prior to DC. However, make sure you called a taxi in advance. Try Red Top Cab or White Top Cab.

Please continue to follow this thread in the Washington, D.C. Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Bear in mind that a taxi from Alexandria to IAD will cost about $60 (including tip).

You could, however, still save time by getting off at Alexandria, walking across to the metro (King Street station is pretty much adjacent to the Amtrack station), and then using either of the more usual metro + bus public transit options. Yellow Line will take you to L'enfant Plaza for the 5A, Blue Line will take you to Rosslyn where you can either get the 5A or transfer to Orange Line to West Falls Church for the Washington Flyer bus.

Thanks, since I will have luggage this sounds like the better option. (Thanks also to the others for their advice!)

I found the redtop cab site, so I'll give them a call. Roughly how long a ride do you think it would be? (Around 1:00 pm on a Sunday, early August ...)

Another idea you might consider
 

Trina:

Something else you might consider, if you can, is a one-way car rental from the Richmond area to IAD.

We looked into that a few months back when we were booking a vacation where it was cheaper to fly out of IAD than RIC, but the flight back was about the same. We looked into the major rental companies (but away from the airport proper), other than Enterprise, which seems to frown on one-way rentals around here. We found a rental car for $75 for a 24 hour one-way rental with unlimited mileage, and a drop off at the IAD rental facility. Then we'd just take the rental shuttles to the airport.

Just something else to throw into the mix.

Roughly how long a ride do you think it would be?

On a Sunday it should take between 45 mins to an hour from the Alexandria King Street Station to IAD.

Since there are several hotels near the station, there are almost always several taxis in line there. You'll have to exit the Amtrak station and walk around the corner to the Metro entrance. That's where the taxis will be waiting.

I'm going to guess that Amtrak fare from Richmond to Alexandria plus cab fare from Alexandria to IAD would exceed the cost of a Priceline car rental from Richmond to IAD. I should think the cab fare alone in that equation would be at least $50 plus tip. I'd hire the car, myself.

I live about a mile from the Alexandria AMTRAK Station. There should be several cabs (usually Yellow or Diamond) waiting when the train arrives, and a cab ride to Dulles typically runs around $70+ including tip.

even with bags, you'll have no problem taking the 5A, it has luggage racks. It is only $6 pp which is way cheaper then a cab.

The King St Metro Station and Alexandria Amtrak Station are the sameplace, and the tracks run right next to each other.

I'd strongly favor the car rental option.

The public transportation options involve hassle and multiple waiting times. The 5A bus runs every 45 or 60 minutes -- miss one and you're waiting around. The metrorail on weekends is subject to delays for repairs. You could wait 20 minutes for a train if you are unlucky (I've waited as long as 30 minutes). Then waiting for Amtrak. And you're lugging around luggage in hot weather (assuming you're talking about the next month or two).

IAD to Richmond
 

The thread for this discussion was a bit old. I am hoping for new information. How can I get from IAD to either Richmond centre or airport or an address in Richmond (Chesterfield)?
I dont see any good options after a 25 hour flight. I will be too tired to drive a car.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Lisangmoh

25 hour flight? Umm....
Depending on when you arrive into IAD on such a flight (that wouldn't be landing at IAD b/c the longest current flight is - according to the interwebs - between JFK and SIN) you could conceivably Metro (which is what they call the local rail/subway/tube) to Alexandria/Washington Union Station then VRE (regional rail) or Amtrak (national rail) to Richmond. If you can handle a 25 hour flight, you can handle that subway/train ride.

Does VRE go to Richmond? I thought it stops around Fredericksburg...

You might also think about a bus from Union Station (in Washington DC) about 30 miles from IAD. Not as comfortable as the train, for sure, but maybe as economical. You might also be able to get a bus from the Vienna Metro station, which is about 16 miles by car/taxi/uber (but not at all timely by Metro itself - go figure. Look for Greyhound, Flixbus, Coachrun for options, there may be others.

I would do métro to Union Station + train (Amtrak). VRE is only during commuting hours workdays and only to Fredericksburg.