IAD question
 

I am arriving from South Africa on Christmas Eve to IAD airport. My final destination is RDU. IAD-RDU is mostly made by connections flights. There are a few direct flight, but more expensive then BWI & IAD.

How far is BWI & DCA from IAD? I am thinking of taking of taxi from IAD once I arrive in the morning at 6 A.M. I would like to be in RDU by noon.

It's about a $60 cab from IAD to DCA, without traffic. From IAD to BWI, I'm guessing you're looking at $120 or so. So measure that with your tolerance for extra hassle against the fare difference.

Thanks for the prompt response. With the prices of the cabs it's not worth it to transfer airports.

You could also take the Washington Flyer bus service (www.washfly.com) from IAD to the West Falls Church metro station. Takes about 30 mins and costs $9 one way. From there you can take the Metro (www.wmata.com) orange & blue lines (transfer at Rosslyn) for $2.75. That part takes about 20 mins and will deliver you right to the terminal at DCA. Might sound a bit complicated but actually very easy to do unless you have tons of luggage.

Take the direct flight IAD-rdu. You are just getting off a xx hr flight.

I have forgotten if dec 24 is an extra busy day or an extra quite day, but it is not a normal day. in either case, the flights will be full and have bumping, and long lines because all is screwed up, or be canceled for weather/mech(low load) and lines will be long because all is screwed up.

The only good thing about taxi on dec. 24 is that I think traffic will be light, so you could get to dca in under an hour, and to bwi in about 1.5 hrs. You arrive at 6, get out of iad at 7or 730, and get to bwi at 9. you could not book a plane before 11 and have a high confidence factor of getting on the thing if that is an extra busy day.

there is a 7:00, 8:36, 8:40, and 10:40am flights from IAD-RDU. so i would just go for those instead of trucking to DCA.

Fly from IAD. December 24 is one of the busiest travel days of the year.

I agree completely, especially if you're ariving on the direct SAA flight from J'burg. As I recall, it arrives early in the morning, so you would have several opportunities to transfer to an IAD-RDU connection. You'll already be at the airport, would be able to re-check bags after customs, and will be taken care of by the airline if the weather is bad.

One more vote in favor of sticking with IAD. You do not want to add any more variables on Christmas Eve!