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ggrnw27 t1_ixn5rd5 wrote

I’m assuming you’re coming from overseas? If so, plan at least an hour to take the shuttle to the immigration/customs building and go through immigration. By the time you get through that, your luggage will be ready and waiting for you.

Where do you plan to get on the MegaBus and what university are you going to?

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adiboy36 OP t1_ixn8umc wrote

Yep. I'm a foreign traveller and would be going to Virginia Tech. Bus would arrive IAD at 10:40 and that's one of the recommended mode of transport by the university. Apart from that, Amtrak is also recommended.

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ggrnw27 t1_ixncsg0 wrote

Yeah that should be fine as long as your flight isn’t significantly delayed or you have problems getting through immigration. For international flights arriving at IAD, it’s a short walk and then you get on a shuttle bus to take you to the international arrivals building for immigration. Then wait in line for a bit until you present your passport/visa/etc. That can take a while depending on several factors but I think you should have plenty of time to make your bus. The Mega Bus pickup is right outside the exit from the international arrivals building so you will not have to walk far at all.

Amtrak is great but I would not recommend it in your case. You would have to take a metro train from IAD into DC, then change trains to get to the Amtrak station to pick up the train to Blacksburg. It is easily 1.5 hours to just get from IAD to the Amtrak station

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adiboy36 OP t1_ixq07cn wrote

Thanks a lot for your detailed guide!

So it all depends on whether the flight lands on time(which would be possible if there's no self transfers/check-in in between), and then I get my baggage immediately and finally finish my immigration process. I guess the entire process is gonna be a race against time in order to catch the bus which is expected to arrive by 10:40 at the Arrivals.

Carrying luggage (2+1 bags) with myself to the railway station and changing the station would also be a bit tedious.

I'll find out if there's any early arrivals to IAD or else, only option is to arrive late(maybe in evening or night) and stay over the night and leave early on the next day.

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HDCerberus t1_ixna9ed wrote

I mean, the silver metro line opened this month, and that runs pretty frequently and will get you pretty much anywhere in DC and a little beyond.

Maybe check that route out on Google Maps? Literally opened last week so unlikely your university would have it listed as a mode of transport yet..

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