A basic guide to WAS and its airports
Jul 18, 2022, 6:52 am
#46
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,737
DCA went thru a major redesign.
they now have closed off the “ mall” area to now being behind security.
they also converted commuter airplane gate 35X to a new concourse . They renamed the new one E, then C is now D, B/C is now C.
Now they have a north and south TSA for B-E called terminal 2. A is terminal 1 with it’s own TSA.
there is no longer a shuttle bus between concourses B/C ( now C to C ( now D) since there isn’t a security crèche point blocking things.
therr is still some interbbalwork being completed such as removing the escalators/stairs you would have taken from airline check in to the mall area.
the end of concourse E is where the smaller “crop duster” planes will be located ( CRJ, E-175, etc.).
For connection time on American. The old “ mall” does not have moving walkways. The new portion of it extending from D to E does have them. Just by my own estimate if you came in at the end of E and had to get to The end of C it will take about 20 min without running. Add an additional 5 min if you are connecting with Alaska. I don’t know if there are planes for Alaska to move from B to the AA concourses. JetBlue currently is in C.
they now have closed off the “ mall” area to now being behind security.
they also converted commuter airplane gate 35X to a new concourse . They renamed the new one E, then C is now D, B/C is now C.
Now they have a north and south TSA for B-E called terminal 2. A is terminal 1 with it’s own TSA.
there is no longer a shuttle bus between concourses B/C ( now C to C ( now D) since there isn’t a security crèche point blocking things.
therr is still some interbbalwork being completed such as removing the escalators/stairs you would have taken from airline check in to the mall area.
the end of concourse E is where the smaller “crop duster” planes will be located ( CRJ, E-175, etc.).
For connection time on American. The old “ mall” does not have moving walkways. The new portion of it extending from D to E does have them. Just by my own estimate if you came in at the end of E and had to get to The end of C it will take about 20 min without running. Add an additional 5 min if you are connecting with Alaska. I don’t know if there are planes for Alaska to move from B to the AA concourses. JetBlue currently is in C.
Last edited by djp98374; Jul 20, 2022 at 5:59 pm Reason: Deleted quote from spammer; thanks for current information
Jul 20, 2022, 6:12 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,737
SUBWAY METRO CLOSURES
From September 10 to late October 2022 DC metro stations will be closed south of DCA. They are creating a new metro station just south of the airport called Potomac Yards. The final major work will be done during this period. It’s will be an open air station with p,atforms on opposite sides of the track with a bridge connecting over the track
From September 10 to mid May 2023 the yellow line bridge between the pentagon and L’Enfant plaza will be closed for major bridge repair.
During closures there will be bus transportation replacing the closed metro routes
SILVER LINE TO DULLES
its now scheduled to be operational in late 2022
From September 10 to late October 2022 DC metro stations will be closed south of DCA. They are creating a new metro station just south of the airport called Potomac Yards. The final major work will be done during this period. It’s will be an open air station with p,atforms on opposite sides of the track with a bridge connecting over the track
From September 10 to mid May 2023 the yellow line bridge between the pentagon and L’Enfant plaza will be closed for major bridge repair.
During closures there will be bus transportation replacing the closed metro routes
SILVER LINE TO DULLES
its now scheduled to be operational in late 2022
Oct 8, 2022, 5:05 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,737
DC metro alert
they extended south airport closure to November 5.
the metro station at Potomac yards between airport and Braddock has bern pushed to early 2023
they extended south airport closure to November 5.
the metro station at Potomac yards between airport and Braddock has bern pushed to early 2023
Dec 5, 2022, 8:47 am
#49
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,737
SILVER LINE to IAD-Dulles airport is fully open and operational.
the station is on airport grounds a close walk from baggage claim
https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/si...al-Airport.cfm
if you are looking to do IAD-DCA transfers…..the time at rush hour will be about 70-75 minutes. It can be longer on the weekends or when trains aren’t running as frequently because you need to transfer at Roslyn ststion. There could be situations where the silver line will only operate between Dulles and east falls church due to things like single tracking due to weekend track work. About 1-2 times a year they have weekend closures on the blue line between Roslyn and pentagon to do outdoor exposure track inspection.
the station is on airport grounds a close walk from baggage claim
https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/si...al-Airport.cfm
if you are looking to do IAD-DCA transfers…..the time at rush hour will be about 70-75 minutes. It can be longer on the weekends or when trains aren’t running as frequently because you need to transfer at Roslyn ststion. There could be situations where the silver line will only operate between Dulles and east falls church due to things like single tracking due to weekend track work. About 1-2 times a year they have weekend closures on the blue line between Roslyn and pentagon to do outdoor exposure track inspection.
Dec 16, 2022, 9:37 am
#50
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,737
Just took metro to Dulles.
From baggage claim area at the doors you see an incline and decline walkways.
from United side at iirc door 6 which is across from the escalarotprs up is ehere you go for metro. I believe the other side will align with the escalators up at door 2.
whrn you go on the down incline you will see the outside e it. The way youwant to go is to the left of that door to get to metro. It’s well signed and only one way to go.
you will get to a hall with moving walkways. You walk straight. Thrn you come to a fork where you meet peop,e coming from the other side of baggage and thrn one hallway to metro with 3 moving walkways before you get to metro on the side before you go into parking.
When coming to the airport at the fork you will see airline logos set up on the wall that can signal which way to go.
going into DC. Ashburn is the end of the line north of Dulles
you want to go to Largo as the final station. The trains might say something else ( east falls church or stadium) where it’s not running the full route.
i have not checked if some of the Dulles airport hotels offer metro shuttle service. There are hotels near the metro stations. Innovation looks the easiest with a courtyard snd hyatt 5-10 min walk from the metro station. The others new ones have hotels near thrm but I’m unsure on walking distance.
From baggage claim area at the doors you see an incline and decline walkways.
from United side at iirc door 6 which is across from the escalarotprs up is ehere you go for metro. I believe the other side will align with the escalators up at door 2.
whrn you go on the down incline you will see the outside e it. The way youwant to go is to the left of that door to get to metro. It’s well signed and only one way to go.
you will get to a hall with moving walkways. You walk straight. Thrn you come to a fork where you meet peop,e coming from the other side of baggage and thrn one hallway to metro with 3 moving walkways before you get to metro on the side before you go into parking.
When coming to the airport at the fork you will see airline logos set up on the wall that can signal which way to go.
going into DC. Ashburn is the end of the line north of Dulles
you want to go to Largo as the final station. The trains might say something else ( east falls church or stadium) where it’s not running the full route.
i have not checked if some of the Dulles airport hotels offer metro shuttle service. There are hotels near the metro stations. Innovation looks the easiest with a courtyard snd hyatt 5-10 min walk from the metro station. The others new ones have hotels near thrm but I’m unsure on walking distance.
Dec 21, 2022, 10:54 am
#51
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,737
Metro update
the new station of Potomac Yards just south of DCA will now open in May. Likeky the same time yellow line bridge re-opens after an 8 month closure.
the new station of Potomac Yards just south of DCA will now open in May. Likeky the same time yellow line bridge re-opens after an 8 month closure.
Feb 2, 2023, 2:26 am
#52
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver (temp demotion), *A Silver, HH Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 493
As family of four have a weekend in Washington at the end of February (with baggage). Our flight back to the UK is at 10pm and we are thinking that we would visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center on our last afternoon.
Our current thinking is that we'd get the silver line out to IAD and then a bus/taxi to the museum (and back) and so are seeking advice on what we can we do with our baggage as it clearly doesn't make sense to leave at the hotel (in central DC).
Obviously this is a specific trip but I'd hope that advice about baggage is fairly general - eg if there was a company in DC that collects in the morning for the flight later in the day (which we have in London).
Our current thinking is that we'd get the silver line out to IAD and then a bus/taxi to the museum (and back) and so are seeking advice on what we can we do with our baggage as it clearly doesn't make sense to leave at the hotel (in central DC).
Obviously this is a specific trip but I'd hope that advice about baggage is fairly general - eg if there was a company in DC that collects in the morning for the flight later in the day (which we have in London).
Last edited by SavvyTravel; Feb 2, 2023 at 3:00 am
Feb 2, 2023, 11:21 am
#53
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,737
Do a one day car rental from inside DC or DCA ending at Dulles. I don’t think therr is luggage storage unless you spend your final night at a Dulles airport hotel where they can hold your bags.
From Dulles metro there is a bus line that runs from Dulles metro to udvar-hazy. The other bus line follows the silver line metro line to a neighboring station in Herndon toward DC area east of airport.
For examp,e the night before you could stay at Marriot worldgste near Dulles the night before ( across the street is a crowne plaza). At either you can leave your luggage innthe am then take an u er to the museum otpr shuttkevto airport thrn the bus to udvar thrn bus/ under back to hotel. There are a bunch of restaurants near the hoteks where you can eat dinner then to the airport for your flight out.
From Dulles metro there is a bus line that runs from Dulles metro to udvar-hazy. The other bus line follows the silver line metro line to a neighboring station in Herndon toward DC area east of airport.
For examp,e the night before you could stay at Marriot worldgste near Dulles the night before ( across the street is a crowne plaza). At either you can leave your luggage innthe am then take an u er to the museum otpr shuttkevto airport thrn the bus to udvar thrn bus/ under back to hotel. There are a bunch of restaurants near the hoteks where you can eat dinner then to the airport for your flight out.
Feb 2, 2023, 1:22 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2001
Location: IAD
Posts: 6,148
As family of four have a weekend in Washington at the end of February (with baggage). Our flight back to the UK is at 10pm and we are thinking that we would visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center on our last afternoon.
Our current thinking is that we'd get the silver line out to IAD and then a bus/taxi to the museum (and back) and so are seeking advice on what we can we do with our baggage as it clearly doesn't make sense to leave at the hotel (in central DC).
Obviously this is a specific trip but I'd hope that advice about baggage is fairly general - eg if there was a company in DC that collects in the morning for the flight later in the day (which we have in London).
Our current thinking is that we'd get the silver line out to IAD and then a bus/taxi to the museum (and back) and so are seeking advice on what we can we do with our baggage as it clearly doesn't make sense to leave at the hotel (in central DC).
Obviously this is a specific trip but I'd hope that advice about baggage is fairly general - eg if there was a company in DC that collects in the morning for the flight later in the day (which we have in London).
Either the car rental will work or you can store in lockers at Udvar-Hazy. https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udv.../visiting-tips
Lockers: The Udvar-Hazy Center has lockers available to the public, for storage, at no cost to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis, in two sizes. The smaller locker will accommodate small bags (such as backpacks) and coats; the larger locker is 12" wide, 15" deep, and 29" tall, and can fit most standard checked airline luggage.