On November 2022, WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) began operating Metrorail Silver Line to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). IAD is the largest airports in DC area, serving more domestic and international flights. Before WMATA expanded the Silver Line to IAD, WMATA offered a shuttle bus to patrons to Metrorail station. Now that the expansion is operating, passengers can board the Silver Line to DC (or other areas around DC). Boarding the Silver Line to and from the IAD is simple!

There are six Metrorail lines in Washington DC area. Washington Dulles International Airport Station is located northwest of Washington DC area.

Airports

Washington DC area has three major airports. A reminder that DC does not reside to any states. It is a federal district. Three airports are outside of the federal district. The state (Virginia or Maryland) operates the airport. The three airports in the DC area are:

• Ronald Reagan Washington Regional National Airport (DCA)
  • Location: Arlington Virginia
  • Metrorail Lines: Blue and Yellow Lines
  • Travel time to DC via Metrorail: Around 25 minutes
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
  • Location: Dulles Virginia
  • Metrorail Lines: Silver Line
  • Travel time to DC via Metrorail: Around 45 minutes
• Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)
  • Location: South of Baltimore Maryland
  • Rail Lines: Amtrak (Acela or Northeast Corridor) or MARC Commuter Rail Line to Washington Union Station.
  • Travel time to DC via Amtrak/MARC: Around 30 minutes

Later in the blog (and on YouTube), I will post about taking the Metrorail to/from DCA Airport and Amtrak/MARC to/from BWI Airport.

Traveling from IAD

Walking from IAD Luggage Pickup to Metrorail Station will take five minutes.

There is a access tunnel that connects the airport to the station. In the tunnel, there are electrical walkways.

Follow the signs that is scribed “To Metro” or “Metro”.

After passing through the tunnel, there is a fare machine. WMATA’s SmarTrip Fare Card can be purchase at the fare machine. After purchasing the fare card, tap the fare card at the fare gate to enter the station. The station is located above ground. In the station, there is a lavatory.

There are other alternatives in paying WMATA. Patrons can use their mobile app to purchase fare and tap on the fare card using their phone’s Bluetooth or NFC technology (almost every modern smart phones has those technology). Visit the WMATA SmarTrip app page for more information. Also, on how to use the app to access the fare gate.

In addition, the station has an escalator, oversize elevators, and stairs to the rail platform.

Fares

As of 2023, the fare could be economical or pricey (depending on the time). If riding the Silver Line during the weekends or off peak, the fare will be $2.00. That is economical from riding to/from IAD. However, if riding during rush hour, the fare would cost around $6.00. WMATA recommends to use their Web Trip Planner to determine the cost of the ride. On the Web Trip Planner, the fare price appears when inputting the travel time and date.

Riding to DC

The ride between IAD to Downtown Washington DC is around 45 minutes. If traveling to DC, there are no transfers

Opinion

In my opinion, WMATA Metrorail trains are mostly clean. I am surprised how clean the seats and windows are on the trains. WMATA Employees does an superb job in keeping the train spotless. Most WMATA Staff (or Station Managers) or friendly and willing to help.

The ride was around 45 minutes but for me, the travel time didn’t felt like 45 minutes. The velocity of the train is fast (I believe the train travels around 65 mph or 104 km/h).

WMATA Metrorail System is simple. Do not feel intimidated with all the color lines and spaghetti. And WMATA does an excellent job in keeping the System Map and information simple as possible. Also, their rail network is somewhat similar as to Dallas DART, Los Angeles Metro, Atlanta MARTA or San Francisco BART. I recommend familiarizing the rail line colors. It is not like New York City MTA Subway…now their subway system is difficult (due to express trains, local trains, and different boroughs that the train passes/terminates).

Riding the WMATA Silver Line to DC is the best way to travel. No traffic or pricey taxi/car share rides (like Uber or Lyft). Also, driving in DC can be a BIG hassle! Parking is difficult to find and there are several street closures (because federal government event or other government visitation).