Getting to IAD from Richmond VA
Jul 19, 2010 | 10:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 632
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!
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!
Jul 19, 2010 | 11:43 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: united, american, alaska
Posts: 1,849
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.
Jul 19, 2010 | 12:05 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 632
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 ...)
Jul 19, 2010 | 2:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 12
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.
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.
Jul 19, 2010 | 2:54 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: US Silver, CO, DL
Posts: 502
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.
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.
Jul 19, 2010 | 8:41 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,811
Jul 20, 2010 | 8:00 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia
Programs: KE Skypass, Morning Calm
Posts: 1,655
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.
Jul 20, 2010 | 4:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,077
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.
The King St Metro Station and Alexandria Amtrak Station are the sameplace, and the tracks run right next to each other.
Jul 20, 2010 | 8:31 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Million Miler, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,439
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).
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).
Mar 7, 2025 | 3:05 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2025
Posts: 5
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
I dont see any good options after a 25 hour flight. I will be too tired to drive a car.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Lisangmoh
Mar 7, 2025 | 11:32 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,269
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
I dont see any good options after a 25 hour flight. I will be too tired to drive a car.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Lisangmoh
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.
Mar 7, 2025 | 12:30 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,825
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.
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.
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.
