A basic guide to WAS and its airports
 

It seems a lot of the posts in this forum are transportation & airport type questions, so I hope this helps:

A basic guide to Washington & its airports…

Airport, Parking, and Public Transportation info:

DCA & IAD information

BWI information

BWI Parking coupons (usually Econopark or Airport Fastpark is the cheapest & Airport Fastpark has a Frequent Parker Program) :
-BWI’s lot - if a coupon is available, there will be a link on this page.
-Econopark Express
-Airport FastPark
- A lot of the hotels offer Park & Fly packaged rates if you have an early AM flight.

DCA & IAD don't have privatized parking - only the airport lots.

For DCA, if you're going cheap, you can park in Arlington neighborhoods & take public transportation to the airport. Also, you can see if any of the local hotels are offering Park & Fly package rates (with an overnight room). DCA has economy parking for 10/day & parking garage parking for 15/day.

For IAD, there is the 10/day economy lots & the 17/day garages & a 30/first day & 17 every day after valet parking. Depending on how long your trip is, you may want to check out the 5A line's parking lots (see the link to bus line 5A below & see choster's poste below regarding fare increases) - where I believe overnight parking is allowed. Note that if you do park in the Daily Garage 1 (17/day) there's an underground walkway which may be faster during non-peak travel times - from Daily Garage 2, there's a covered above ground walkway.

Washington Metro Area Transit Authority’s website – Here, you’ll find links to bus & rail maps and timetables. There are some good features here, including the Metro trip planner and the Metrorail system map.

Here's a link to a thread regarding MetroBus passes that answer a lot of questions folks may have: Public Transportation (WMATA) - FAQs

Washington Flyer Bus service – a bus service that provides shuttle service between IAD & the West Falls Church Metro station (Orange line) – currently $10 OW & $18 RT.

Getting to/from the airports & downtown DC:

You’ve got several options to get to DC from the various airports. You can rent a car (note that at BWI, the car rental facilities are off-airport – At Dulles, you need to take a shuttle, but the lots are technically onsite - only at National, are they on-site), you can take a cab or SuperShuttle, or you can use public transportation.

All of the major car rental company’s are represented at all three airports, so if that is your preferred method, you’re good to go.

If you’re trying to cab it into the city from the airport, this is the more expensive than public transportation.

Here’s an approximate price list:

-From IAD

-From DCA – if memory serves me correctly, you will actually be given this sheet from the taxi dispatch guy.

-From BWI

Using public transportation to/from the airports: (click on the airport for more information)

-IAD – the only way you can get to/from IAD currently via metrorail is to take the orange line to the West Falls Church station & then hop on the aforementioned Washington Flyer bus to the airport (or vice versa). You also have the option of taking Metrobus 5A which is a normal metrobus & costs $6 each way per techboyds post below – this is by far the absolute cheapest way to get to/from IAD to DC or Arlington, VA.

-DCA – both the Blue & the Yellow metrorail lines go to DCA. Note if you’re flying out of Terminal A, it’s a long walk & you may want to take the airport shuttle to Terminal A. The 13F and 13G provide early morning service (from 5:56 to 8:01 AM on Sat and from 6:10 to 7:59 on Sun) from downtown DC to DCA on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Since on weekends the first Metro trains don't hit DCA until between 7:10 and 7:41, depending on what direction you're coming from, these can be essential if you're trying to catch an early morning flight. (thanks ambyr!)

-BWI – BWI has by far the most options – and it should, given the fact that it’s so far from DC! You can take Amtrak to the BWI station & catch a free bus from the train station to the airport – note, if you’re doing this option, whereas you don’t really always need to pre-purchase your tickets, it can be useful to do so – that, and make sure your flight schedules are coordinated with Amtrak’s schedule. If you need to get to other parts of Maryland & DC isn’t your final destination, you can also check out the MARC trains. BWI has a light rail connection to Baltimore (and the northern suburbs as far as Hunt Valley). Unlike Amtrak, it leaves from the International Terminal, so you don't have an extra shuttle bus connection to worry about. On the other hand, it moves at a snail's pace. Lastly, if you want to use the metrorail system, you can take the B30 bus line to the Greenbelt metro station (Green line).

To go between airports:

From IAD to DCA (and vice versa): The most economical way, if you have at least a 4 hour connection, would be to take the combination of the metro & the 5A bus. If you have at least 3 hours, then the best way would be to take the Washington Flyer bus & then the metro rail (and others, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong). The fastest way would be SuperShuttle or a cab. I think a cab would be about 50-60 bucks.

From IAD-BWI (and vice versa): There really isn’t a good way if you have less than four hours & you don’t know how traffic’s going to be, I’d consider changing flights personally. The best way is to cab it – which I’m guessing would run easily 80-100 bucks (I’ve never done it, but I imagine it’d be expensive). If you’ve got a while, you can use the metro options listed above.

From DCA-BWI (and vice versa): This one is a little easier since the metro is right there at DCA & it’s a 30 minute bus-ride from Greenbelt to BWI. The commute time on the metro would be at least an hour or so.


Some useful threads about DC & Baltimore:

The DC Monthly Happy Hours thread

Where do you take your visitors when they come to Washington DC?

Memorable dining in DC

Suggestions for Visitors in Baltimore

Washington Post’s Guide to DC area airports (thanks, wittingm!)

Coming to DC with Teenagers?

Where to eat near DCA?

Leaving DC...what's one thing I need to do before I go

What to see in DC- just 1 day

Planning a weekend in DC...

FYI Metro has raised its fares, so the 5A Metrobus is $3.10 for cash riders (it remains $3 for SmarTrip users), and the transfer from Metrorail rises to $2.20 cash ($2.10 for SmarTrip users). Further, bus tokens and paper passes are being phased out over this year, so riders who frequent mass transit in Washington should look into buying a SmarTrip card.

Thanks for the info, choster - I've updated above.

Bus to DCA
 

The 13F and 13G provide early morning service (from 5:56 to 8:01 AM on Sat and from 6:10 to 7:59 on Sun) from downtown DC to DCA on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Since on weekends the first Metro trains don't hit DCA until between 7:10 and 7:41, depending on what direction you're coming from, these can be essential if you're trying to catch an early morning flight.

You might also want to mention that BWI has a light rail connection to Baltimore (and the northern suburbs as far as Hunt Valley). Unlike Amtrak, I believe it actually leaves from the terminal, so you don't have an extra shuttle bus connection to worry about. On the other hand, it moves at a snail's pace

Thanks, ambyr - I've updated the post. Welcome to FlyerTalk! :)

I can confirm that it does leave from the terminal, way down by the international terminal.

And yeah, it's not the fastest system in the world either.

The link for parking at BWI needs updating.

Airport Fast Park at BWI also changed its page.

Thanks for consolidating all the info!

Thanks, Owlchick! I moved to Vegas almost a year ago & haven't been keeping as updated on the this thread! Appreciate the looking out! :)

When I rode the MARC train up to BWI a few months back, it dropped me off at some remote parking garage and required a shuttle bus to the main terminal... is this new?

No, the train tracks have always been where they are and the airport has always been where it is. When traveling to BWI from the District, allow about 20 minutes from when you step off the train to when you arrive at the terminal.

The 5A to/from IAD is now $6.

Just to add that the $6 fare is the same whether paying with exact cash or a SmarTrip card. (Previously there was a surcharge when paying cash.)

Updated - thanks!

Would it be possible to add info for airport hotels to the above?

The B30 MetroBus between Greenbelt and BWI is also $6 - exact fare or SmarTrip card.

Since bhatnasx is no longer in the area, I figure it is up to all of us to help keep this up-to-date. Here are three new links for the Taxi fares (all of which are currently broken up above).

DCA - http://www.mwaa.com/reagan/1193.htm
IAD - http://www.washfly.com/Taxi_rate.htm
BWI - http://www.bwiairporttaxi.com/ratetable.htm

and a new one for the metrorail system map.

http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm

Thanks! You are correct, I'm no longer in the DC area (although I hope to move back soon). Spent the past 2+ years in Vegas & moving to NYC next week & will be there for a couple of years probably.

I subscribe to this thread & make updates as people like you post them - so keep them coming & I'm happy to edit.

That said, if there are any DC area regulars who want to "take over" this thread and keep it updated, I'm totally good with that as well!

201 to Shady Grove
 

It's been mentioned elsewhere, but it should probably be added to this thread:

Since March 2011, BWI passengers have an additional transit option to the DC metro area, the MTA commuter bus 201 (schedule here). The 201 runs from the BWI to Shady Grove metro, stopping twice along the way at Park & Rides. Its BWI stops include Southwest's terminal, the international terminal, and the Amtrak station. It takes about an hour to run BWI-Shady Grove. The cost is $5, and unlike the B30, the MTA 201 uses a commuter coach with under-carriage baggage storage.

Note that the schedule is a little weird, as it's trying to provide both commuter and mid-day service. Going from Shady Grove to BWI, the bus runs hourly 4 a.m. to 5 p.m.; going from BWI to Shady Grove, the bus runs hourly 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Yes, the ICC bus is great. It's cheaper than having a family member drive/pick me up.

Also, take note that the WMATA airport buses (5A & B30) are nice and new-ish city buses, but do not have much luggage space or even standing room -- just some RJ-sized overhead racks above half of the seats. On a recent 5A trip, we spent 25 minutes idling as passengers tried to squeeze past bags which had piled up in the aisle, and I ended up trapped in the back behind a dozen giant suitcases filling both the aisle and several seats.

If you're traveling with large checked bags, I would recommend that you use other means. The Washington Flyer bus from IAD is just a bit more expensive, but since it's a highway coach it has ample room underneath the bus for bags.

i passed a B30 saturday at about noon. it was an articulated bus, much larger than any i have seen on dc streets. from what i could see, all window seats were taken.

That is generally true of the 5A, but the B30 does have a luggage rack in the middle of the coach. This is to be expected, as the 5A is primarily a commuter bus, whereas the B30 is an airport express. On holiday weekends, of course, all bets are off.

Great Resources for Getting around DC
 

May I also suggest the following:

Getting Around DC by Metro (including fares and maps), Taxi (including transportation from/to Washington DC area airports), Bus, Car, Bicycle (including Capital Bikesharing) and Walking around the National Mall
Getting to Washington DC by Plane (including all three airports and transportation from/to airports), Rail, Bus and Driving to Washington DC.

Thanks

Something to keep an eye on: MDOT has proposed adding weekend MARC service, though arrangements with Amtrak may take months to work out.

Target date for starting service is before year end 2013. It would be pretty funny if BWI ended up with better transit access than Dulles..

A poster upthread suggested allowing 20 minutes to transfer from MARC's BWI station to the airport terminal. Would this 20 minute transfer also apply to Amtrak? I know the trains use the same station, but wonder whether the shuttle bus coordinates with MARC, or Amtrak, or just goes along on its own schedule?

Any fare for this shuttle bus?

Yes, the transfer time applies regardless of how you get to the station— drive, bus, bike, MARC, or Amtrak.

The shuttle bus is free, independently operated from the trains, and not coordinated with any train or bus schedules. It is, after all, a shuttle.

It does not matter.....

They use the same lines and same station

Some of the MARC trains are operated by Amtrak. The ones operated by AMtrak are on the MARC schedule.


I am not sure what you are quoting with the 20 min time....I think 20 minutes it what it takes to get from Amtrak/MARC to BWI where they take into account the wait time to get the bus and then the drive from the station to airport.

The Airport Express MetroBus fare (5A to IAD, and B30 to BWI) went up to $7 on 6/29/2014 - same fare using cash or SmarTrip card.

Phase I of the new Silver Line extension of Metrorail service starts running on 7/26/2014. See www.silverlinemetro.com for more information. There will be lots of changes in bus services connecting the end of the Silver Line to Dulles Airport at that time.

No change planned to the 5A Airport Express MetroBus.

Washington Flyer Coach. Becomes the Washington Flyer Silver Line Express - airport-operated express bus service between IAD and Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. Replaces express bus service between IAD and West Falls Church Metro station. Buses also will be more frequent. They currently run every 30 minutes; when the new line opens, they will run every 20 minutes– and every 15 minutes during some weekday peak hours. Fare will be $5 each way. Riders will be able to pay with cash or credit cards, but the buses will not be equipped to take SmarTrip cards.

Fairfax Connector. Local bus service. Route 981 connects IAD and Wiehle-Reston East Metro station, with several stops. Route 983 replaces 981 when Udvar-Hazy is open, and extends the run past IAD to Udvar-Hazy. See: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connect...hedule/983.pdf Fare is $1.75.

I'll post more details as they are announced.

Time to update the thread. As of Saturday, you will have multiple public transport options to get to/from IAD.
1. Fairfax Connector line 981/983 for to the Wiehle Metro Station for a grand total of $1.75 (30 mins to the metro)
2. Silver Line Express for $5 to the same metro station (I imagine the ride won't be more than 15 mins), wifi.
3. Metrobus route 5A for $6 (1h4m to L'Enfant Plaza).


If you have some time to kill at IAD and want to go visit the Smithsonian Air and Space museum, the 981/983 bus will take you there in less than 15 mins. See timetable above.

Some corrections to your update:
The 5A MetroBus is $7.50 each way, not $6.
The Fairfax Connector 983 bus goes to the museum, the 981 bus does not -
check the schedule online.

(Note that I covered all of this in my post previous to yours.)

I noticed that the Silver Line Express and Fairfax County Connector routes do not seem to show up in trip planning on Google Maps. Is there a site that shows best connection options by time of day?

Thansk

Even worse is that google maps still shows the "Dulles 2 Dulles" bus - which stopped operating a year ago.

Note the Bing Maps does show the 981/983 Fairfax Connector bus.

Yes. I wonder how many people still take the bus from L'Enfant Plaza rather than the silver line + SL express because Google doesn't know it?

The B30 and 5A buses were only partially spared in the latest round of WMATA cuts.

B30 will only run on weekdays, and hourly (vs. 40 minute headways currently). On weekends, you'll have to rely on infrequent Amtrak/MARC trains.

5A service will be cut in frequency.

http://wamu.org/story/17/03/06/metro...-service-cuts/

These cuts have not been implemented, only proposed. I would not be surprised if they do not go through.

The WMATA board voted today to implement the package of service cuts and fare hikes. VA/MD/DC have already increased their contributions by $130 million, and are unlikely to find more money this year given that contributions will have to increase again next year.

Uber/Lyft to IAD/BWI
 

With all the good information here, I probably missed it - but could someone give me an approximate cost for Uber/Lyft from downtown DC to BWI and IAD? I did see the taxi rates. Thanks.

At DCA, is it faster to take the shuttle bus between terminals C and B/C, or (if you have TSA Pre-Check and no bags) faster to just exit one terminal, walk to the other and go through security again? Particularly if you're a very fast walker?

The shuttle bus seems excruciatingly slow.

Thanks.

Depends. There is no certainty as to if one is better, Ive sat on the bus for 10 to 15 minutes waiting to get across from the alley and I've also done it in 5.

Precheck is usually a safe option at DCA except for certain times of the afternoon (especially when the congress critters are flocking home).