Need to get from Dulles to BWI cheap?
I am flying into Dulles from Europe and need to get to BWI for a flight
to my destination. Is ther any cheap way to get from Dulles to BWI other than renting a car for an hour or two? |
A relevant question is how much time as well as money do you have to spend?
It's possible (but not ultra convenient) to get from IAD to BWI using the Washington Metro system. Allow at least three hours for the transfer, and three and a half to four is probably more realistic. 1)-Take a #5A bus from Dulles to the L'Enfant Plaza Metrorail station. 2)-Take a Green Line Metrorail subway train from L'Enfant Plaza to Greenbelt Metrorail station 3)-Take a #B30 bus from Greenbelt Station to BWI You can check timetables for the date and time you'd be making this trip by using Metro's "Rideguide" feature at: http://rideguide.wmata.com/index.html The IAD to BWI cost, according to Metro's website, would be $7.10. |
If time if no obstacle, you can also take the free shuttle from IAD to the Metro station (it's about a 20-minute ride, I believe), take the Metro over to Union Station, and hop the MARC train (if you're going on a weekday) up to BWI rail station for just a couple bucks. Then there's a free shuttle bus from the BWI train station to the airport. I've done it a couple times before. I needed about 90 minutes at rush hour, if I recall correctly. Those were with little waiting time, too.
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Free shuttle from IAD to the Metro? I thought the only options were $8 to West Falls Church or $2.50 to Rosslyn?
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Originally Posted by gutt22
If time if no obstacle, you can also take the free shuttle from IAD to the Metro station (it's about a 20-minute ride, I believe), take the Metro over to Union Station, and hop the MARC train (if you're going on a weekday) up to BWI rail station for just a couple bucks. Then there's a free shuttle bus from the BWI train station to the airport. I've done it a couple times before. I needed about 90 minutes at rush hour, if I recall correctly. Those were with little waiting time, too.
1. IAD - West Falls Church Metro: Washington Flyer Coach: 25 minutes, $8 2. West Falls Church Metro - Union Station Metro : 35 minutes, $2.20 (off-peak) or $2.65 (peak) 3. Union Station - BWI Train Station (MARC): 35 minutes, $6 4. BWI Train Station - BWI Terminal (Shuttle Bus): 10 minutes, Free That's 105 minutes already, not counting waiting (and there will be significant waiting) or even walking (e.g., from the Union Station Metro to the train), or time needed to buy tickets, etc. Also, I am not aware of a free shuttle from IAD to any Metro station, the only options I know are either take the Washington Flyer to West Falls Church Metro ($8 one way), or Express Bus 5A to either Rosslyn ($2.50, about 40 minutes) or L'Enfant Plaza ($2.50, about 55 minutes). |
Originally Posted by Eugene
Also, I am not aware of a free shuttle from IAD to any Metro station, the only options I know are either take the Washington Flyer to West Falls Church Metro ($8 one way), or Express Bus 5A to either Reston ($2.50, about 40 minutes) or L'Enfant Plaza ($2.50, about 55 minutes).
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Originally Posted by moondog
i could swear i've gotten from iad to l'enfant plaza on the 5a in considerably less time than 55 minutes (~30).
Originally Posted by moondog
if you hit your transfers right, you can get from l'enfant plaza to union station in 20 minutes.
Originally Posted by moondog
figure 30 minutes at union station then another 30 to bwi (assuming you get one of the faster trains; i usually splurge on amtrak personally).
Also, don't forget that you need to take a shuttle from the BWI train station to the terminal, that often reqires 10-15 minutes wait plus 10 minute ride.
Originally Posted by moondog
90 minutes seems theoretically possible, but i certainly wouldn't bet on it.
The option suggested by greggwiggins above is a clear winner cost-wise ($7.10 regular fare and astonishing $2.05 senior fare), and, if connections work out, may even rival the MARC route time-wise (e.g., if you can catch, say, 3:40 pm bus at Dulles, you'll get to BWI terminal by 6 pm, provided everything runs on schedule). |
how about a rental car
I can get a car for $50. How long should I budget if I arrive at
315pm on a tuesday? |
I am thinking about 1.5 hours for the drive. Traffic should be average at that time. Not light, but not too bad either. Then again, I495 is a construction zone nearly every weekday.
The public transit options would be much less then $50 .
Originally Posted by sanFF
I can get a car for $50. How long should I budget if I arrive at
315pm on a tuesday? |
Originally Posted by Eugene
The OP wanted a cheap option, and Amtrak is substantially more expensive than MARC. Also, "Express" MARC trains (those that skip most stops) rival Amtrak on speed and take about 25 minutes, but you have to be lucky to catch one.
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Originally Posted by sanFF
I can get a car for $50. How long should I budget if I arrive at
315pm on a tuesday? |
Originally Posted by sanFF
I am flying into Dulles from Europe and need to get to BWI for a flight
to my destination. Is there any cheap way to get from Dulles to BWI other than renting a car for an hour or two? From prior posters it seems there is no direct shuttle between the airports. What would you guestimate is the hassle factor for us on public transportation? Which airport would be "better" to fly into? I'm inclined to go the one day, one way car rental route. How is beltway traffic on a Sat? Thanx in advance for your thoughts. Dlouise37 |
SanFF, I don't mean to scare you, either, but blueDC has it right... traffic around here can be HORRENDOUS due to many factors: congestion, bad signage, construction, people who don't know how to drive...heck, these days we even have to be on the lookout for "dive-bombing" cicadas! (bugs) :D And if the weather sucks, fuggedaboutit.... people totally wig out here if there's so much as one drop of rain. So if you're going to drive, you do need to allow yourself enough of a time cushion. Also, have you checked the IAD transportation page to see all your options? http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/ground.htm
dlouise37, as to which is the best airport transportation wise, it's DCA hands-down. It's right on the Metro route (blue/yellow lines) and just 10 minutes from DC. You could take either train and transfer to a red line train to Union Station and then take the MARC (commuter train) and shuttle bus combo to BWI... see the WMATA (Metro) "Ride Guide" comment in greggwiggins's post above. Hope this helps! ETA: Beltway traffic on Saturdays isn't usually too bad |
Originally Posted by Gator Gal
dlouise37, as to which is the best airport transportation wise, it's DCA hands-down. It's right on the Metro route (blue/yellow lines) and just 10 minutes from DC. You could take either train and transfer to a red line train to Union Station and then take the MARC (commuter train) and shuttle bus combo to BWI... see the WMATA (Metro) "Ride Guide" comment in greggwiggins's post above. Hope this helps!
ETA: Beltway traffic on Saturdays isn't usually too bad |
Having spent 50 minutes driving 12 miles down I-495 this morning, I can say only one thing: TAKE THE PUBLIC TRANSIT
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