What's the cheapest way to get between DCA and IAD?

There's a Metro (subway) station adjacent to DCA. There's a bridge that goes from the main terminal to the Metro station.

From the Metro station, you can take the Metro Blue Line train to Rosslyn. Then, at Rosslyn, catch the Metrobus 5A bus heading to Dulles.

The train runs quite frequently. However, the bus only runs hourly.

To get from IAD to DCA, do the reverse: take the bus and then the train.

It's probably about $4 or $5 one-way, including the train and the bus.

Thanks

FYI

Here's a link to the 5A bus that goes to IAD, either pdf or PDA format:

http://www.wmata.com/timetables/view.cfm?line=49

^

If you miss the 5A bus, just get on the Orange Line westbound from Rosslyn, take it to West Falls Church, and then board the Washington Flyer bus ($8 one-way) to Dulles. The Washington Flyer runs every 30 minutes, as opposed to the 5A's once per hour, and is much more comfortable with more space to store luggage.

Stand up during the approach to DCA and yell, "Allah Akbar!!"

You can actually get the same effect (theoretically) by standing up and asking for a cup of tea with cream and sugar. As long as you do it within 30 minutes of landing at DCA. It's probably best to do this soon after entering the 30 minute perimeter to save time circling around back to IAD.

When standing up to ask for your cup of tea, it is best to NOT make any sudden movements or walk in the direction of the cockpit. This could result in more than a cup of tea. Remember, good manners count in these situations.

An alternative is to buy at ticket directly into IAD.

US Airways has a flight from DCA to IAD via RDU for a little over $200 round trip. You can earn some miles along the way.

United has one with a stop in Montreal.

Not that long ago, there was a direct filght, IAD-BWI. I would think some little airline would set up a pair of triangle flights IAD-BWI-DCA, and reverse.

IAD-BWI flights would be wonderful. The traffic on the Beltway, or through DC, for Virginians to get to BWI (and Marylanders to get to IAD) can be brutal at many times of the day. And the extra 500 FF miles would be nice.

Wasn't there also a flight between IAD and Manassas??? I think I remember seeing this on UA's flight schedule 4-5 years ago.

Didn't the old Presidential fly to Manassas? IIRC they inherited it from their purchase of the original Colgan.

You can often also book a connection via Chicago between any of the DC-area airports on UA. I actually priced one out when I needed to be at BWI for a flight and needed some additional WAS departures/arrivals for a UA promo: DCA-ORD-BWI for something like $150 back in April.

Seems the loooong way around, though

Yellow line to L'Enfant and then 5A is slightly (and I mean slightly) cheaper during peak hours.

I'm connecting through IAD to PHL on a Thu evening later this month.

I come in on UA208 from SJC, on a Thu evening at 3.30 pm.

I am thinking of taking a flight out of DCA (instead of IAD) so that i can get a couple of 500-mile minimums before i reach PHL. i'm trying to see if i will have enough time to get from IAD to DCA and then take US2415 DCA-ORF at 4.40 pm (and later, US3788 ORF-PHL).

From this thread and the Metro site, it looks like it will take an hour by public transport, to get from IAD to DCA. Is there a faster way to get to DCA, from IAD? Cab? What's the traffic like at that time of the day? cost?

I will have only carry-on luggage. Considering i need to clear security at DCA and check-in, this seems a tall order.