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How to get from Washington Dulles Airport to Union Station DC

Much more than a transport hub, the stunning architecture of Union Station with its notable grand archways is one of Washington’s most iconic landmarks. With connections to several cities throughout the country, its domed halls are flanked by boutique stores and top-notch eateries – enough to make you want to make this destination more than just a transit journey.

The main three transport options available when travelling between Dulles Airport and Union Station are taxi or private transfer, bus and the metro. Taking a taxi is the easiest and fastest transport option which can take as little as 40 minutes. The metro is by far the cheapest option and costs just $6 (€5.70) per person, and even less late in the evening and on weekends, but you will need to make a transfer at Metro Center Station and the journey can take up to 80 minutes. Another affordable and slightly quicker public transport option is to take a direct bus which costs up to $22.98 (€22) per person with a journey time of 45 to 70 minutes.

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 Book
Book
Taxi €68 40min 24/7
Bus €44 70min 13:05–17:35
Metro €11.40 80min 04:59–00:08

How to get from Washington Dulles Airport to Union Station by taxi

The quickest and easiest way to get from Dulles Airport to Union Station is to take a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer. Washington Flyer is the exclusive taxi service provider at Dulles Airport, helping passengers get downtown to Union Station in around 40 minutes, in ideal traffic conditions.

Taxi fare from Dulles Airport to Union Station

All Washington Flyer taxis are required to use a taximeter and calculate fares by distance travelled. Fares into Union Station cost between $63 and $71 (€65-68), for up to 6 passengers, and payments can be made using cash or credit card.

Tolls, surcharges and any tip you wish to give your driver (10-15% is standard) will need to be added to your final fare, including an airport surcharge of $3 (€2.90). The driver must inform you if the route includes a toll road and give you the option of an alternative route.

For a fixed-rate journey with no hidden costs, a friendly private driver can collect you upon arrival and transport you directly to your destination.

Cost

€68

Trip Duration

40 Min.

In heavier traffic the journey can increase to 60 minutes or more.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available every day of the year, 24/7 at Dulles Airport.

Where do I take a taxi from?

Taxi ranks are located on the lower level of the terminal, down the ramps outside Door 2 and Door 6. Just follow the signs for ‘Ground Transportation’ and ‘Taxi’.

Convenience

Taking a taxi from Dulles Airport to Union Station DC is quick and easy, with taxis on hand 24/7 to get you on your way. This way you won’t need to transport your luggage on busy metro journeys or have to endure the often very chilly Washington weather.

Editor’s Note

Washington Flyer Taxis have larger vehicles available that can accommodate up to 6 passengers including their luggage.

Useful Tips

All vehicles are equipped with GPS devices to ensure the most direct and fastest route is taken.
You can request a smoking or non-smoking vehicle.
Pets that are transported in a carrier are welcome, as are service dogs.

How to get the bus from Dulles Airport to Union Station

Virginia Breeze Bus Lines operates three daily bus routes from Dulles Airport to Union Station; the Highlands Rhythm and the Piedmont Express take 1 hour and 10 minutes, and the Valley Flyer takes 45 minutes.

The daily schedule for each bus route:

Valley Flyer (Northbound): departs from the airport at 13:05 and arrives at 14:15.
Piedmont Express (Northbound): departs at 13:15 and arrives at 14:00. 
Highlands Rhythm (Northbound): departs at 17:35 and arrives at 18:45, via Arlington.

How much is the bus from Dulles Airport to Union Station?

A bus ticket on the Valley Flyer and the Highlands Rhythm route to Union Station costs $22.98 (€22) per person, including the $3.99 (€4) booking fee. The Piedmont Express bus is nearly 30 minutes shorter and therefore is slightly cheaper at $14.99 (€18) per person, including the booking fee. 

Tickets need to be purchased online in advance. You can either print your tickets or present your ticket to the driver on your mobile phone.

Cost

€22

Trip Duration

70 Min.

The wait time between the first two buses is 10 minutes but then there is a wait time of 4 hours and 20 minutes for the following bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Only three services run per day between 13:05 and 17:35 and it is recommended that you book at least 2 days in advance to secure a seat. 

Where do I take the bus from?

Virginia Breeze Bus services can be boarded from Curb 2A on the lower level of the terminal after exiting down the ramp from Baggage Claim. At Union Station passengers are dropped at the Union Station Bus Deck.

Convenience

Taking the bus from Dulles Airport to Union Station is definitely the most straightforward and comfortable public transport option where once on board you can just sit back and relax. However, there isn’t a lot of flexibility due to the limited number of services each day and caps on how much luggage you can bring. Also, the Virginia Breeze service (run by Megabus) doesn’t allow cancellations or refunds and will only allow you to trade in your journey for one 3 hours earlier (for a fee), which is not much use if your flight is delayed.

For a much more reliable and convenient journey where a driver will meet you at Arrivals – even if your flight is delayed – and with no limits on how much luggage you can bring, a Welcome Pickups private transfer is a great option.

Editor’s Note

Luggage is capped at 20kg per person and one carry-on item. Baggage size must be similar to a standard large suitcase.

Useful Tips

Buses are equipped with convenient amenities including a restroom, power outlets and comfortable seating.
Free WiFi is available on board.

How to take the metro from Dulles Airport to Union Station DC

To take the metro from Washington Dulles Airport to Union Station you will first need to take the 54-minute Silver Line Metrorail towards Largo and disembark at Metro Center Station. From Metro Center Station you will need to change to the Red Line towards Glenmont for 6 minutes until you reach Union Station. 

The total metro journey from Dulles Airport to Union Station takes up to 1 hour and 20 minutes including waiting times.

How much is the metro from Dulles Airport to Union Station?

On weekdays, the cost for each traveller for the metro journey from Dulles Airport to Union Station DC is $6 (€5.70). After 21:30 on weekdays and all day on weekends, this drops to a flat rate of $2 (€1.90) per traveller, making this a very affordable option.

Each person will need their own SmarTrip® fare card to travel on the Metrorail. These can be purchased from blue Metrorail vending machines at the airport station, or from available customer service booths using cash or card. Alternatively, they can be purchased online via the SmarTrip® App on your mobile which will allow you to tap on and off for each journey using your phone. 

Cost

€5.70

Trip Duration

80 Min.

On weekdays the Silver Line runs every 10–12 minutes until 21:30 and then every 15 minutes, and on weekends it runs every 10–15 minutes. The Red Line towards Glenmont runs every 5–6 minutes on weekdays up until 21:30, and then every 10 minutes. On weekends it runs every 8–10 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Silver Line operates between 04:59 and 23:08 on weekdays (00:08 on Thu/Fri), 06:53 to 00:08 on Saturdays and 23:08 on Sundays. The Red Line operates between 05:37 and 00:06 on weekdays (01:06 on Thu/Fri) and from 07:37 to 01:06 on Saturdays and 00:06 on Sundays.

Where do I take the metro from?

The Metrorail is clearly signposted and a 5-minute walk from the main airport terminal, connected by a climate-controlled indoor pedestrian tunnel from the Baggage Claim level. From there you need to board the Silver Line towards Largo until you reach Metro Center Station. At Metro Center Station check the departures board to confirm the correct platform for the Red Line towards Glenmont.

Convenience

If your flight arrives during times of peak traffic, the metro is a great way to bypass traffic congestion and keep costs down at the same time. However, travelling on the metro when you have lots of luggage is not ideal as trains can become very busy and crammed.

Editor’s Note

In severe weather such as heavy snowfall, the metro can be severely impacted or not run at all. In these instances, a private transfer is a reliable transport option for getting you to your destination as quickly and safely as possible.

Useful Tips

Metro fares are capped at $6 (€5.70) on weekdays and $2 (€1.90) after 21:30 on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Metro stations have free WiFi available so that you can get live updates on your journey.
Up to 2 children under the age of five can travel for free when accompanied by a paying adult on the metro.

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

Prices

DAYTIME
€110.0
NIGHTTIME
€132.0
Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

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 can I get from Dulles Airport to Union Station?

There are three main transportation options from Washington Dulles Airport to Union Station; taxi or private transfer, metro and bus. A taxi and private transfer can take as little as 40 minutes in light traffic conditions. The metro journey takes up to 80 minutes, with one transfer, and the direct bus journey takes between 45 and 70 minutes.

What’s the distance between Dulles Airport and Union Station?

The distance from Washington Dulles Airport to Union Station is 50 km (31.1 mi), easily covered in around 40 minutes by taxi or a private transfer.

Is there a direct bus from Dulles Airport to Union Station?

Yes, there are three direct bus routes run by Virginia Breeze that run between Dulles Airport and Union Station every day; they take between 45 and 70 minutes.

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