Nope, I mean it. Note I said try (which is more than I can say for anything that goes on inside the terminal). Of course it's inefficient, of course it's a waste of money, of course the guy with the walki-talki is half and idiot. But I'm saying that I can usually get the guy to comandeer a bus and send me on my way if I really want to.

Here's another tip for the IAD rookie, always try to park near the main road in the blue or green lots (and even if you don't actually park there know the stops along the main route). Often you can then get a gold or purple lot bus to drop you off an the way.

Best IAD parking lot
 

Which is the best lot to park in - gets the most buses, most convenient, etc? It sounds like blue or green if you can park near the main road and get a purple or gold to drop you off on the way. Will they pick you up on the way as well?

Welcome to FT!! The best is the garage so you walk in under your own steam & pace.

As far as the economy lots go - my preference is the Gold Lot. I park near the first stop, and walk across the lot to the last stop for the ride to the terminal. That minimizes my time on those bumbling shuttles. If a Green bus is heading out and you're walking along the road at the side, make eye contact and get lucky, the driver will stop and let you on. Same goes if a Purple happens to come out while you're waiting at that last Gold stop area.

When you drive into the economy lot from that early/first right entrance off the main road into the lot (with the lot to the right and only 2 ticket dispensers) - if you see the booths for the exit when you drive into the lot - you are at the other entrance, just right and drive through both the Blue and Green Lots before turning right.

From the mid-entrance, turn right after you get a ticket. Drive through the Green lot to the other side (before the hill). Turn right, go to the end, turn left go up the slight incline and now you're in the Gold Lot. Park right there on the left near that first shelter. Walk straight back from that first shelter to the shelter which is directly across from the underpass, and facing that road the bus exit from the lots is to the right. If you walk along that road to the right on your way across the lot, you might get lucky with a Green bus for pickup (i don't usually bother). Enjoy

ps Leave at least 30 minutes between parking, waiting for the shuttle and the ride to the terminal. The buses often get grouped together leaving none in the lot for too long.

Parking at IAD sounds like a nightmare. How much would a cab run from Reston Town Center??

Sterling Yellow Cab gives approximate fares here. Depending on traffic, it will probably be somewhere between $16-25, including tip. They charge extra if you have extra and/or large luggage.

Thanks for the link. Seems like a cab will be more convenient and likely not as expensive as parking for 5 days.

Your return cab will be the Washington Flyer since it is the only company authorized to pick up passengers at IAD. Their rate schedule is here, and it looks to be about the same as Sterling Yellow Cab.

I lived in Reston until 3 years ago and a cab ran about 15 bucks at that time (either way).

Best IAD parking lot
 

GoingAway - that is fantastic advice. I travel a lot, but I always park in daily garage (business pays for it) or we get dropped off at the airport (for vacation). Now with our son and no one able to drop off / pick up, we need the car seat to be in a car and don't want to lug it on the plane (so no taxi). thus my first time with the Dulles long-term parking lots.

I am not sure I followed your directions so I tried to recreate it on the google map. Hopefully the little blue placemarks are where you are recommending.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...f1304906c15691

If you are able to review this, thank you so much, but if not, your advice has been great nonetheless!

From what I understand, you can call outside companies to pick you up. They just can't solicit passengers at the airport.

saw an ad in the post yesterday for $99 weekend rate at a marriot at IAD with up to two weeks of parking. the $99 with tax, title and warranty probably breaks $150.

I think the total would be closer to $113 on a $99 rate. Do you know what the rate code is? I didn't get a Washington Post yesterday.

a code was not obvious. just said "mention this ad"

Same now. It cost me $18 with tip each way. Much better choice than dealing with the parking.

Exactly what I do. :D