IAD ground transportation
Mar 31, 2013 | 12:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 22
IAD ground transportation
hi i am flying into IAD on sunday evening and staying at the quality inn in college park. then i am flying out on tuesday morning on a 9:40am flight out of IAD.
does anybody have a suggestion on whether i should 1) ride the supershuttle, 2) rent a car for two days, or 3) get a taxi?
many thanks in advance!!
does anybody have a suggestion on whether i should 1) ride the supershuttle, 2) rent a car for two days, or 3) get a taxi?
many thanks in advance!!
Mar 31, 2013 | 7:52 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: UA MM, MB LifeTit
Posts: 1,868
A two-day car rental will almost certainly be cheaper than cabbing it both ways (which will probably cost $150-$200). If the hotel has free parking, it would be preferable.
Your cheapest option is the 5A bus to L'Enfant Plaza. It leaves you at the Metro station where you can get the Green Line to a few blocks from your hotel.
Your cheapest option is the 5A bus to L'Enfant Plaza. It leaves you at the Metro station where you can get the Green Line to a few blocks from your hotel.
Mar 31, 2013 | 8:07 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
SuperShuttle and Supreme both operate from the Shared Van Service desks at Dulles Airport - from the baggage claim area go down the ramp at door 2 or door 6 and you will see their desks. No need for a reservation from Dulles - but you need to make a reservation for a ride back to Dulles. Both take credit cards - and both offer door-to-door service, just like a taxi but about half the price for one person.
Mar 31, 2013 | 8:48 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
OP - You haven't told us your budget. Needless to say, that makes a huge difference. Car service is the high end because you will be met at baggage claim, driven to your destination without stops and dropped at your destination. Public transportation is the low end and involves multiple changes and long waits. Super Shuttle is one up but can mean a 2-1/2 hour trip for something which should take 1 hour while you wander around dropping off and picking up.
IAD offers all of these, so you've got to make a choice based on budget.
IAD offers all of these, so you've got to make a choice based on budget.
Mar 31, 2013 | 12:53 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 22
thanks for all the suggestions.
i don't need a high end limo service. however, my main consideration is the tuesday morning trip between college park and IAD, which is during the rush hour. if i take the supershuttle, it's asking me to pick me up at 6:30am for my 9:40am flight. but i am not checking in luggage and really don't need to be at the airport that early.
if i take out a rental car, how long would it take from college park to IAD during morning rush hour? also i have never returned a rental car in IAD. would it take a long time to get back to the terminal from rental car counters?
again thanks for all the assistance!
i don't need a high end limo service. however, my main consideration is the tuesday morning trip between college park and IAD, which is during the rush hour. if i take the supershuttle, it's asking me to pick me up at 6:30am for my 9:40am flight. but i am not checking in luggage and really don't need to be at the airport that early.
if i take out a rental car, how long would it take from college park to IAD during morning rush hour? also i have never returned a rental car in IAD. would it take a long time to get back to the terminal from rental car counters?
again thanks for all the assistance!
Mar 31, 2013 | 1:19 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
Uber. Anywhere inside the Beltway to IAD is $80, includes tip. Likely cheaper than taxi. A car rental for 2 days will run you a good deal more and you do need to allow drop off time at IAD.
Mar 31, 2013 | 6:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ KF (ex-UA)
Posts: 588
Taxi fare from my home or office in NW DC to IAD using a pre-booked Washington Flyer cab usually is just over $60 including tip. In my experience Washington Flyer cabs are reliable, clean, and always have credit card readers.
For the OP, assuming this is a leisure trip on a budget I would take Supershuttle. My usual rule is leisure trip = Supershuttle, business trip = taxi.