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Getting from Dulles Airport to Washington City Centre

Washington DC is the capital of the United States. Known for its stunning neo-classical monuments, such as the White House and Capitol building, iconic museums and world-class performing arts, Downtown DC is the perfect place to visit for any history or culture lover.

After landing in the wonderful Washington DC, you have two options to get from Dulles airport to downtown, you can either take a taxi or the metro. The quickest and easiest way to get into the city centre is by taxi or private Washington Dulles airport shuttle as it only takes around 40 minutes. The cheapest way is to take the Silver Line Metro train from Dulles to DC. However, It’s worth noting that there’s no Dulles airport metro line, so you will need to take a bus to reach the metro station before taking the train into the city center.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Washington D.C. at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €110 40min 24/7
Taxi €55 40min 24/7
Train €10 55min 04:49–23:12

How to get from Dulles airport to the city centre by taxi

By far the easiest and only direct way to get from Dulles airport to Washington DC is by taking a Dulles airport taxi. The comfortable journey will take only 40 minutes in light traffic and you can relax knowing your loved ones and personal belongings are safe and secure during the entire trip.

Taxi fare from Dulles airport to Washington DC

The local taxi drivers at Dulles airport don’t offer a set-rate fee for the journey into the city centre of Washington. Instead, your fare will be calculated using a taximeter based on the distance you travel or the time it takes to reach your destination. The average fare for the journey from Dulles to DC is $65 USD (€55).

Cost

$65 USD (€55)

Trip Duration

40 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Washington Dulles Airport

Where do I get it from?

Finding a taxi at Washington Dulles airport is easy. Simply head to the lower level of the terminal, follow the signs for “Ground Transportation or Taxi” and head down the ramp at Door 2 or Door 6.

Convenience

As taking a Dulles airport taxi is the only direct transfer option, it’s by far the most convenient. You can walk out of the terminal building, hop into a taxi, and head directly to the front door of your hotel within a matter of minutes. Taxis are also available 24/7 at Washington Dulles airport, so no matter what time you land, you’ll always be able to find one.

Editor’s Note

Only Washington Flyer Taxis are able to operate freely at Dulles airport, if you wish to use another company, you will need to book in advance and have proof of your booking when entering the taxi or shuttle.

Useful Tips

You can pay with Cash or Credit Card: American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and Diners Club.
Pets are accepted in taxis from Dulles airport but they must be in a carrier at all times.
Wheelchair accessible taxis can accommodate one wheelchair and 3 people.

How to get from Washington Dulles airport to city centre by Train

Taking the train from Washington Dulles airport to Washington DC is a cheap option if you’re travelling on a budget. However, as there’s no direct train line, it can be quite time-consuming.

You will need to take the Silver Line Express Bus from Dulles airport to Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station first. Then, you will take the Silver Line Metro train into the city centre of Washington.

How much is a train ticket from Washington Dulles airport to the city centre?

A one-way ticket from Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station to downtown DC will cost around $6 USD (€5). However, the exact cost of your ticket will depend on your destination in Washington. Tickets for the Silver Line metro can be bought from the SmarTrip app, online or in the metro station.

The Silver Line Express bus from Dulles airport to Washington DC costs $5 USD (€4.50) one-way.

Cost

$6 USD (€5)

Trip Duration

55 Min.

The Silver Line Metro leaves every 15 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Silver Line Metro runs from 4:49 to 23:12 from the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station.

Where do I get it from?

You can find the Silver Line Express Bus right outside of Arrival Door 4 at Dulles Airport. It will be clearly marked.

The Silver Line train can be found on the platform level of the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station. Simply follow the grey SV signs for Largo Town Center.

Convenience

If you’re travelling on a budget, taking a train from Dulles airport to Washington DC is a great idea. However, as there’s no direct train from Dulles to DC, it’s not the most convenient option. You will have to carry your luggage through both the airport and the metro station, and possibly wait 15 minutes for the next train to arrive.

Editor’s Note

Although taking a train from Dulles DC is a great option if you're on a budget, if you arrive late at night, the trains stop running, so you will need to catch a taxi instead.

Useful Tips

There's WiFi onboard both the Silver line Metro and Silver Line Express bus.
Children under the age of 5 travel for free.
Theres plenty of space to store luggage onboard the metro and Silver Line Express bus.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Washington d.c.. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Dulles Airport to Washington DC?

There are two modes of transportation from Dulles airport to Washington DC; taxi or train. The cheapest option is to take the metro, however, this isn’t direct. You will need to take the Silver Line Express bus to Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station first, and then take the metro into downtown DC. The total journey time will be around 1 hour and 20 minutes (including waiting times) and will cost around $11 USD (€9). The most convenient option is to take a taxi. The journey will take 40 minutes and will cost around $65 UDS (€55).

Is Dulles Airport on the Metro line?

Unfortunately there’s no direct train from Dulles to DC. You will need to take the Silver Line express bus to Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station, and then take the Silver Line metro train into downtown DC.

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