Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

SluggingAndBussing t1_ja1fclb wrote

Worry not, fellow internet person. We can point you in the right direction

  1. Arrive at DCA
  2. exit and follow signs for the Metro station
  3. buy a SmarTrip card from the machine and load 20 dollars on to it
  4. enter the station and board the blue line toward Rosslyn (see notes below)
  5. at Rosslyn, transfer to the silver line toward Ashburn
  6. arrive at IAD
  7. keep your SmarTrip card
  8. (time passes between your trips)
  9. arrive at IAD
  10. exit and board silver line toward Largo
  11. At Rosslyn, transfer to the blue line toward DCA (see notes)
  12. Arrive at DCA

Notes: there is some maintenance happening through May on some of the rail lines. and then other maintenance on different lines during the summer. When are your trips? Can give you specific trains to board

425

Parking-Steak8032 OP t1_ja1gb87 wrote

Thank you so much for making this list!! Mid-April!

91

SluggingAndBussing t1_ja1iev8 wrote

Ok. So because of some weirdness from the construction and another line being out of service, There are two different blue lines right now. It won’t make a huge difference for you, but the digital signage on the side of the train may say either of the two destinations. Don’t let it confuse you :)

When you leave DCA to go to IAD, follow the mounted permanent signs for the blue line toward “Largo.” I think some signs may actually say something like “trains toward DC” or whatever. The digital signage on the actual train car, because of the construction, will say either Largo or New Carrollton - either is fine!! You will ride five stops and arrive at Rosslyn station, be sure to step off the train here. Go down to the lower level platform (don’t exit the station) and board the silver line train to Ashburn. After many stops you will arrive at IAD. (When you’re boarding the metro from DCA, you DON’T want the trains that say either Huntington or Franconia-Springfield. Wrong platform/trains!)

When you land back at IAD and need to reverse the trip, it’s easy. The only line at IAD is silver, just be sure to board toward Largo (not Ashburn). Once you exit the train at Rosslyn, head down to that same lower level platform you’ve seen before and switch to a blue line train toward Huntington or Franconia-Springfield - either is fine! And five stops later you will be at DCA.

If you load 20 bucks when you get your card out of the vending machine at DCA, you should be fine for all of this.

114

Parking-Steak8032 OP t1_ja1jtko wrote

Omg I appreciate this so much thank you!!

38

MACKAWICIOUS t1_ja3jnzc wrote

Word of caution - the change in end stop signage can make someone who is not familiar with the area get confused about which platform to board from - regardless of the name on the train, just make sure it's blue, and the platform signage aligns with the directions above.

There are station managers that should* help you (ymmv) and there are signs listing off the various stops - just read over those and choose the one that includes Rosslyn.

6

ocmike34 t1_ja4mck8 wrote

Plus most people are more than happy to help if you feel lost/confused. It’s almost 2-3 times a week someone asks me directions on the train. Always happy to help!

3

eneka t1_ja2ymwr wrote

If you have an iPhone, you can directly load a smart trip card onto your phone as well and just use it via apple wallet

9

Vi_Capsule t1_ja2v9r9 wrote

Also you can google wmata trip planner

Put in all your destinations and time and it will show u ur travel itinerary. Which u can email to you

8

Odd-Refrigerator849 t1_ja1iivo wrote

Great advice, but a couple edits/comments: You don't need $20 if you're only coming through DC for these flights and won't be visiting anytime soon (or just don't want to have to deal with keeping track of the card. The trip from airport to airport should be $3.85 on Friday before 3pm and $2 on the weekend. I believe when you purchase an initial card it charges you $10, $2 of which is for the card and $8 for your fare, which is more than sufficient for these two trips.

You can use the metro's trip planner at https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/ or Google Maps is surprisingly accurate.

You can also load your card onto your phone after you purchase it if you install the SmarTrip app if you don't want to keep track of your card.

45

SluggingAndBussing t1_ja1ixq2 wrote

Yeah, I just said 20 for an easy round number that will also work if OP’s flight into DCA is late and they cross into Peak Fare territory on Friday.

Edit: although, hm yes i forgot it’s just one way on each trip. Even if they pay 6 to get to IAD, they only need two more dollars to get back on a weekend to DCA. OP if you are still reading, make it ten bucks.

40

foreverurgirl t1_ja2rymz wrote

WHERE IS DAN’S CAFE ON THE ITINERARY? Otherwise 10/10

30

Used_Ad9945 t1_ja2xdo4 wrote

If you plan appropriately, Dan's Cafe is always with you

16

OhMyGoodnees t1_ja3lm88 wrote

This is a great plan….but if the person coming from another country remember they will waste two hours in emigration. So please plan ahead and give yourself two hours when you are coming to US and leaving US.

4

SoftwareMaintenance t1_ja41j1w wrote

Yeah this is the way to do it. I myself was initially hesitant to use this metro this in DC. But man. It brings you right to the airports. The cost is pretty cheap too. I got my SmartTrip card, and I am flying the friendly skies. My next trip already scheduled for May through DCA.

3

Ocean2731 t1_ja2lseq wrote

How much luggage will the OP have? One bag on Metro is fine, but two bags is a big pain. Uber or a taxi would be better if they have anything unwieldy.

2

ocmike34 t1_ja4mhvw wrote

They said no checked bags. They’ll be fine

5