Flight layover IAD and DCA...help!

Submitted by Parking-Steak8032 t3_11c0z4b in washingtondc

I am flying into DCA on a Friday at about 1pm, and have a 4 hour layover before a flight out of IAD (arrival is domestic, no checked bags)

I am also flying into IAD on a weekend at 3pm, and have a 5 hour layover before a flight out of DCA (arrival is foreign and will need to go through customs, no checked bags).

I'm travel-anxious and panicking a little because I didn't realize when I booked that I was flying out of two different airports in Washington, DC (both legs of the trip!). Do you think I'll make it??

I plan to UBER!

EDIT: on second thought while I have the time (trip is a while away) I'll read up on Washington DC's metro to familiarize myself with it since you all think I would have time even for metro!

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Comments

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Stayshady22 t1_ja0yrj3 wrote

As long as you’re not walking, you’ll be fine

56

economizt t1_ja0zhqa wrote

The metro now connects the airports in about an hour.

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flyrickyfly t1_ja0zm7d wrote

Plenty of time. Even just taking the metro from DCA -> Rosslyn-> IAD would take a little over an hour

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peanut_butterXD t1_ja0znb9 wrote

I would look into taking the metro from DCA out towards Dulles. You can buy a pass at the station. It’ll save you quite a bit of money.

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dfminvienna t1_ja102yc wrote

Making that trip by metro (subway) will be a lot cheaper and should take only about 15 minutes longer, with no risk of traffic delays. You might consider that option, especially if you don't have much luggage.

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Milazzo t1_ja11bl4 wrote

Replying to flyrickyfly (#2,010,335)

I would budget around an hour and 20 minutes - that's what it has been taking me to get from King St to Reston Town Center. There is a potentially long wait at Rosslyn, and the silver line for some reason slows the hell down after West Falls Church.

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StopTheFishes t1_ja12225 wrote

Take an Uber and relax.

You have plenty of time between flights to make it from IAD go DCA and vice versa - and grab a meal.

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HealthLawyer123 t1_ja12zku wrote

Do you have global entry? At Dulles you get transported to customs in a mobile lounge, and you may have to wait for the pilots and flight attendants. It can be a slow process when people are slow getting off the plane. I don’t think I would choose it as a US entry point if I didn’t live here.

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jmu_alumni t1_ja13z4d wrote

I didn’t realize you could fly from one to the other

−3

LAAFB_throwaway t1_ja14cpp wrote

Agree with all…take the metro. Only additional advice would be leave first airport immediately and take any extra time at the second airport.

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LizinDC t1_ja14h6t wrote

Another vote for metro. Very easy, just one change at Rosslyn and it's just a few bucks. Last time I took a cab from near dca (where I live) to iad it was 50 dollars!!

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colorofmydreams t1_ja16anr wrote

Oh you're totally fine. 4 hours is a leisurely amount of time to get from DCA to IAD. International arrivals at IAD is super fast if you have global entry; if not, you might have to wait in a very long line but you will definitely be fine if you have a 5 hour layover. Even if you're the last to deplane and you wait in a long line, you'll probably clear passport control within two hours of when your plane touches down and have 3 hours to get from IAD to DCA.

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CounselorNebby t1_ja18sn0 wrote

Eh - if money isn't an issue, I'd still plan to Uber.

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iidesune t1_ja18x81 wrote

You'll be fine for the DCA to Dulles leg, but I'd be a little anxious about the international leg from Dulles to DCA. Customs at Dulles is always a train wreck. If you have global entry, go for it. Otherwise, I'd think about some other options.

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RedCarpetRosters t1_ja19tx3 wrote

Now that metro goes to IAD, that's the best and cheapest option. Don't waste your money on Uber. It'll cost about $50.

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South_Ambassador_490 t1_ja1brfi wrote

Yeah just metro. Take the a Blue line train that leaves from DCA and transfer at the Rosslyn station to the Silver line towards IAD.

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Rscaroll t1_ja1cu5n wrote

Your Friday afternoon journey from dca to iad should be easy any way you take it but if your morning flight is delayed even just an hour I'd suggest against taking a car/Uber. Reason is the road from dca to the beltway is hov-3 afternoons otherwise consider it an as afternoon toll road and it's not always cheap. $9.25 was the toll for a 3:15pm entry into 66 continuing tonthr dulles toll road (which is not a toll road if you are going to dulles airport) Friday the 24th. Expect it to be much higher as the weather gets better.

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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

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bnosrep t1_ja1g35r wrote

Pay attention to the people who brought up IAD customs. Without Global Entry, it will chew up some of your 5 hours. Probably still fine, but at the very least prepare your expectations.

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BuzzFabbs t1_ja1h5y8 wrote

Having commuted from the neighborhood next to the runway (Herndon, VA) to DC for 20 years by car every day, I would STRONGLY recommend taking metro!

The drive from Arlington to Dulles is one of the shittiest ever in the history of shitty drives, even if you are a passenger. I’ve done the Uber from DCA to my house and it was $100+.

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SluggingAndBussing t1_ja1iev8 wrote

Replying to Parking-Steak8032 (#2,013,464)

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.

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Odd-Refrigerator849 t1_ja1iivo wrote

Replying to SluggingAndBussing (#2,013,243)

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.

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SluggingAndBussing t1_ja1ixq2 wrote

Replying to Odd-Refrigerator849 (#2,013,926)

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.

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haroldhecuba88 t1_ja1mzv5 wrote

You’ll be fine. Uber or metro will get you there in plenty of time.

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ashtan t1_ja1p158 wrote

Contrary to what everyone is saying — nah, just kidding, you’ll be fine. Metro will be cheaper, Uber will be easier. Pick your poison.

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VoodooGirl47 t1_ja1pi7k wrote

Replying to bubbabubba345 (#2,014,249)

I'm not super familiar with metro out that way but there are definitely longer distances between stations once you get out past Ballston.

I think it might have some closer together for the bigger areas like Tysons and Reston, but similar to the East Bay with BART in the SF Bay Area, the further out suburbs will be set up to require people drive and park to each station from that surrounding area for long distance transit use only versus using it locally for super short micro trips in the major city centers (DC and Arlington).

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walkandtalkk t1_ja221y6 wrote

Most of the other comments suggest taking Metro. I'd suggest Uber unless you're focused on saving cash. It's, what, $10 to Metro each way? By contrast, unless there's a surge, it'll be about $50 with Uber (plus tip). So, much more expensive, but it depends what $50 extra is worth to you.

The benefit of Uber is that you get in the car, do whatever, and you're there. Traffic may be slow, but half of the ride is on the express road for Dulles, which won't have traffic. Worst possible case? 90 minutes. Realistic bad case? 50-60 minutes. Best case: 35 minutes.

Metro is not hard, but it's possible to get confused at the connection in Rosslyn. If you care about the money, Metro makes lots of sense. But if you're lazy like me, Uber is easier and will take you right up to the terminal.

On the return, you have five hours. You could accidentally board a freight train to Atlanta and still make your connection.

−4

JulianInvictus t1_ja2spyx wrote

You’re the guy they built the silver line expansion for. Enjoy it, cherish it, savor it.

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Moscow_Wahoo t1_ja2wgtq wrote

Replying to iidesune (#2,012,073)

Yes, this. Just went through customs at IAD yesterday and it took literally two hours to get through. Really felt for people who had connections, because I’m sure a large percentage of them didn’t make it.

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Clownsurfer900 t1_ja30d6c wrote

There’s also a bud from the Rosalyn metro that goes directly to Dulles. It takes metro card as well

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solomofo35 t1_ja30fqf wrote

Catch the metro train. Kills time and cheaper than uber

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punkdutch t1_ja30xmk wrote

There used to be a shuttle that would transfer people to the other local airports. A few years ago I took it from IAD to BWI.

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ECTXGK t1_ja33alo wrote

The back trip is very tight because customs in IAD is hell and may take 2+ hours.

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Zestyclose-Yak-7516 t1_ja33ttf wrote

I would say the TSA lines and customs is where I’d have a bit of concern on both legs. Especially the shorter leg. Yes, the actual trip between airports is not a big deal, but it’s the lines at both airports between TSA and customs that can be a pain in the ass. I’d move quite swiftly to get in line and wait. Don’t knock down any old ladies tho lol. If it’s a week day, you should be pretty ok. If it’s a weekend, you could be waiting quite some time.

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MACKAWICIOUS t1_ja3jnzc wrote

Replying to Parking-Steak8032 (#2,014,179)

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.

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BPCGuy1845 t1_ja3l6kc wrote

It’s the perfect amount of time to collect your bags, Metro to Rosslyn, change to Silver line, and recheck bags at IAD. The Metro portion of the trip is an hour and fifteen min or so.

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MalHierba t1_ja3xbcu wrote

It’s super easy to transfer between the two. You have plenty of time.

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SoftwareMaintenance t1_ja41j1w wrote

Replying to SluggingAndBussing (#2,013,243)

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.

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AwesomeAndy t1_ja48hmx wrote

Replying to iidesune (#2,012,073)

I wouldn't say "always." My last time through took maybe 45 minutes total from deboarding, 10 of which was waiting for my wife to get through the non-Global Entry line. Landed around 7:30PM on a Saturday.

But yeah, I agree with the greater sentiment here.

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bubbabubba345 t1_ja4ek4d wrote

Replying to moonbunnychan (#2,019,892)

I think it's just because the stations, past east falls church (?) are just really far apart. There's the cluster around Tysons, and then it's a 5-10min ride to the next one, and 3-5 min between each one after to the airport.

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MatrixMaven t1_ja5o2xv wrote

What ab calling the airline and having them make your trip all to & from one airport? Just because you booked it this way doesn’t mean it has to stay this way.

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