DCA vs IAD when going to Baltimore
 

I'm trying to book a cheap ticket to Baltimore and am finding some ok deals from OAK-DCA or OAK-IAD (of course I can't find anything good for BWI right now). The IAD flight is the morning non-stop and obviously the DCA flight is a connection. I'm going to attempt to use mass transit (Amtrak?) to get to Baltimore downtown. Is there much of a difference between DCA and IAD?

I'm guessing DCA is better, but its a 6 am departure vs 7:30 for IAD :o

If you're driving to Baltimore, use IAD. If you're totally focused on public transportation, you'll need to switch metro lines with either one to get to Union Station to grab a Marc or Amtrak train up to Baltimore; but IAD also adds a bus ride to get to the metro.

ps You should ask the mod to move this to the dc forum, you'll get more responses.

Definitely DCA for public transport. I'd argue DCA for driving as well. You can shoot right up 295 to Baltimore.

Actually, one addition to this which is more UA related. Anyone had luck standing by for BWI flight with a DCA or IAD ticket? I saw that there is a DEN-BWI flight just before the DEN-DCA flight.

I often stand by for SFO with an OAK ticket or OAK with an SFO ticket.

And to answer my own question, it looks like the standby situation will be a YMMV:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ht=bwi+standby

295 can be confusing for someone who isn't familiar with DC.

While DCA is closer to Union Station (for the transfer to Baltimore) You stated that the IAD flight is nonstop. You need only take a bus from IAD to the Metro and then transfer once to get to Union Station. From DCA you would skip the bus portion but would still have to transfer on Metro. Check out www.WMATA.com for complete details.

Do not take Slamtrak to Baltimore. Last time I checked it was over 50 bucks! Take the MARC (Baltimore commuter) train if at all possible for about 5 bucks. Some Slamtrak trains accept MARC tickets so that you might sit next to some poor guy paying 10 times as much as you. Hey, just like on UA.

Check out http://www.mtamaryland.com/

I agree that DCA is a much easier drive to Baltimore than IAD. You'll save about 45 minutes in the car. Thought the other poster is right ... it can get confusing on 295.

Since this has more to do with the three airports in the greater Washington, D.C. area and tangentially about UA, I am going to move this to the Washington, D.C. (including Baltimore) forum. Thank you for your understanding.

iluv2fly
moderator, UA

But a 10 page thread of innuendos on warm nuts is UA content?

Go to DCA!!!!! IAD means bus to West Falls Church or downtown, then subway or bus to Union Station, then MARC or Amtrak (or Greyhound) to Baltimore.

DCA is easy. Yellow line (Metro) to Gallery Place, switch to Red Line to Union Staion. Transfer to MARC (weekday), METRO (7 days) to Baltimore.

I'd really recommend DCA over IAD.

1. It is really dependant on the time you arrive to your destination airport. If you are getting on the ground at IAD anytime after 3:30pm and then have to get to BWI - you are going to get crushed in the 495 beltway traffic. You will go 495 over to 95 north and up to BWI/Inner Harbor. Traffic is BRUTAL after 4pm on that trip. It's 45 miles on paper - it's taken me 4+hours before to do that trip on a thursday night leaving at 5pm. It's not fun.

If you go DCA - you can get on 295 and head north to Baltimore as well - traffic isn't quite as bad, but it still sucks.
Metro - ride the metro from DCA to Union Station (Red Line) and then get on the MARC and you can take it right up to BWI for 6 bucks or so. amtrak might run you 18 bucks, but it is a lil bit quicker - not by much tho.
From the Marc train you can also zip around the Light Rail as well.
Just know - Marc does not run on the weekends.
If you metro'd it from IAD to union station - well, pack a supper and get ready for the most boring 90 minutes of your life.

As someone that has done the commute from BWI to IAD or BWI to DCA everyday for 3 years - BWI-DCA is waaaaaaaaay easier.

i'll take DCA over IAD any day.

My routing would be OAK-DEN-DCA or OAK-IAD (both arrive at 3:30 pm on a Friday) then IAD-OAK on the return. However, the return would be at 10 pm on Sunday night, so hopefully the drive from Baltimore (the city) would be better then.

If you are arriving and departing from the different airport,
the rental might cost you a bit more. Check the fees
before you make your final choice.